Starmer celebrates ‘year of change’ in New Year’s message

Starmer celebrates ‘year of change’ in New Year’s messageSource: 10 Downing Street

Transcript

00:002024 was a year of change. Not sadly in the football, another agonisingly close shave

00:08for England, but changing politics with the election of this Labour government in July.

00:15And more importantly, with the work of change that we've begun. The minimum wage, raised

00:21by a record amount, wages up more broadly. Returns of foreign national criminals up 20%.

00:29Billions of pounds worth of new projects in clean British energy, making our country more

00:35secure. And £25bn invested in our NHS, starting to cut waiting lists in your local hospital.

00:45Now I know there's still so much more to do, and that for many people it's hard to think

00:51about the future, when you've spent all of your time fighting to get through the week.

00:57So I want to be clear, until you can look forward and believe in the promise and the

01:03prosperity of Britain again, then this government will fight for you. A fight for change that

01:09will define this year, next year, and indeed every waking hour of this government.

01:16We have a clear plan for change. 1.5 million new homes. Restoring the dream of home ownership.

01:252.7 million starting school ready to learn. A more secure energy system. Waiting lists

01:31cut dramatically. Immigration reduced. Neighbourhood police tackling anti-social behaviour in every

01:39community. And more cash in your pocket, wherever you live.

01:45That is what we will be focusing on. A year of rebuilding, but also rediscovering the

01:53great nation that we are. A nation that gets things done, no matter how hard or tough the

02:00circumstances. We'll have time to reflect on that this year. A chance, with the 80th

02:08anniversary of VE and VJ Day, to cherish the greatest victories of this country, and the

02:14greatest generation that achieved it. The 8th May and the 15th August will both be wonderful

02:22moments to come together and do that generation proud.

02:28But that victory, and indeed the peace and prosperity that followed, all rested on the

02:35same foundation we must rebuild today. The security of working people. That is the purpose

02:42of this government. The goal of our plan for change. And we will push it forward in 2025.

02:50So, wherever and however you're celebrating tonight, on behalf of the government, Happy

02:56New Year. Here's to a year of changing Britain for the better.