Rishi Sunak has compiled a list of five promises to the British public that he believes will improve people’s lives and public services to help him extend his tenure as prime minister.
The prime minister said the promises would give people “peace of mind” as they enter 2023 already plagued by strikes, record inflation and the National Health Service on the brink of collapse.
But Mr Sunak’s five promises could easily be called a wish list, given the external forces that are plaguing the British economy.
here I considers each of his “five pillars” and how they are achievable for the government of Sunak.
1. “First, we will halve inflation this year to lower the cost of living and provide people with financial security.”
Forecasts suggest that inflation will decline from the current 10.7% during this year. The Bank of England expects inflation to come down sharply by the middle of this year as energy prices are unlikely to rise as much as they did last year, and government support will help. The cost of imported goods is also expected to fall, and the demand for goods and services is also expected to fall due to higher interest rates. Whether inflation will halve remains to be seen as further outbreaks in Ukraine, a new wave of Covid, or China’s invasion of Taiwan could severely shake the economy. If inflation were to halve, Sunak would likely take credit for achievements that have nothing to do with his government.
Difficulty level: 3/5
2. “Second, we will grow the economy and create better paying jobs and opportunities across the country.”
If only other governments thought about it. Prime ministers of all stripes have promised to boost the economy and create better paying jobs, but if it were that simple, the UK economy would not be among the weakest countries in the OECD today. Mr Sunak’s predecessor, Boris Johnson, built his entire government around “moving up” and spreading opportunity across Britain, while Liz Truss was almost insanely focused on growth, but both failed. According to Goldman Sachs analysis, the UK economy will shrink by 1.2 percent this year, while KPMG says it will contract by 1.3 percent. This makes the recession in the UK close to or equal to the recession in Russia, which is currently facing severe international sanctions.
Difficulty: 5/5
3. “Third, we will ensure that our public debt is reduced so that we can secure the future of public services.”
It is important to note that Mr. Sunak does not say when the public debt will fall and by what measures. OBR, in its analysis of the autumn report late last year, predicts that public debt as a share of the UK economy will decline by 2027-2028. It will be a few years after the next election, after which the Conservatives could easily be in power.
Difficulty level: 4/5
4. “Fourthly, NHS waiting lists will shrink and people will get the help they need faster.”
Again, Mr Sunak does not say how many NHS waiting lists will be reduced or how quickly people will be able to get the help they need. But many voters are likely to argue that reducing NHS waiting lists and speeding up treatment is the bare minimum expected of any government. With people currently being treated in ambulances or even lockers due to overcrowded hospitals, voters would be forgiven for wondering why that promise wasn’t number one on his list.
Difficulty level: 3/5
5. “Fifth, we will pass new laws to stop small boats to ensure that you are arrested and quickly deported if you enter this country illegally.”
No. 10 has previously stated that resolving the small boat crisis is its top priority after the economic downturn caused by Liz Truss’s mini-budget. New laws restricting English Channel crossing have been discussed for some time, but even this week Downing Street was unable to say when the new laws would be published. Much of the problem lies in the European Convention on Human Rights, which the UK is a signatory to, and any attempt to waive the country’s obligations under the treaty will draw strong backlash from Conservative MPs, opposition parties and the House of Lords.
Difficulty level: 4/5
Source: I News
I’m Sandra Hansen, a news website Author and Reporter for 24 News Reporters. I have over 7 years of experience in the journalism field, with an extensive background in politics and political science. My passion is to tell stories that are important to people around the globe and to engage readers with compelling content.