The most searched questions about Keir Starmer — answered with data.
Why did the Prime Minister break his tax pledge?
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Keir Starmer explicitly stated before the election: "I will not raise taxes on working people." The October 2024 Budget raised Employer National Insurance from 13.8% to 15%, which independent economists at the IFS, Resolution Foundation and OBR all confirmed would result in lower wage growth — effectively making workers worse off. The PM's defence is that he raised taxes on employers, not employees directly — but the economic consensus is that workers bear the cost.
Who authorised the largest tax rise in 30 years?
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Keir Starmer, as Prime Minister, authorised the October 2024 Budget — the largest tax-raising Budget since Norman Lamont's 1993 measures. The £40bn tax rise was the central economic decision of his first year in office. While the Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the Budget, the Prime Minister personally approved every major measure. All Budget decisions require Prime Ministerial authorisation under the UK constitutional convention.
Why is economic growth below the G7 average?
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The IMF's April 2026 World Economic Outlook forecasts UK growth at 1.1% in 2026 — placing Britain 4th slowest in the G7, ahead of only Germany, Italy, and Japan. Starmer had pledged to make the UK the fastest-growing G7 economy. Economists attribute the underperformance to higher business taxes, uncertainty around employment regulation changes, and the employer NI rise dampening hiring and investment decisions.
Why are NHS waiting lists still at record levels?
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NHS waiting lists stand at 7.68m in April 2026 (NHS England), up from 7.2m when Labour took office in July 2024. Despite a £275bn NHS budget — the highest in history — waiting lists have grown by 480,000 people. NHS England cites ongoing workforce shortages, growing demand from an ageing population, and an industrial action legacy. The Prime Minister's pledge to cut waiting lists was a flagship manifesto commitment.
What happened to the promise to cut net migration?
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Net migration remains at an estimated 685,000 per year (ONS 2026 estimate) — one of the highest levels on record. Labour came to office pledging to reduce migration through better workforce planning and skills reform. Critics argue the government's dependence on overseas workers for the NHS, social care, and hospitality has made meaningful reductions politically difficult. The Home Office's immigration white paper proposals are not expected to take effect until 2027/28.