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What has the Labour Government Achieved from July 1st to September 30th 2025
- Linda Aitken-Smith
- Nov 8
- 13 min read
What has the Labour Government achieved
from July 1st to September 30th 2025
In July 2025
The UK's Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, continued to focus on public services, with a 10-year plan for the NHS announced. However, a significant challenge remained in translating strategy into tangible improvements for the public, as reflected by a drop in the Prime Minister's approval ratings and analyses noting slower-than-hoped progress in public services.
Other notable actions included the Office for National Statistics (ONS) launching a new short Core Survey for labour market data and ongoing efforts to tackle illegal migration and smuggling gangs, taking steps to roll out major reforms to immigration, financial services, and healthcare.
The Employment Rights Bill also moved through the House of Lords.
Migration & Borders
Reforms implemented:
The government initiated the first major round of changes outlined in its May 2025 immigration white paper, with some measures taking effect on July 22, 2025.
The list of occupations eligible for a Skilled Worker visa was reduced, focusing on roles at or above a degree-level skill threshold.
The government continued to implement policies from a May 2025 White Pape
The exemption allowing overseas recruitment for social care workers ended, with the aim of reducing reliance on foreign labour in the sector.
Other changes, such as increased salary thresholds for work visas, also came into effect.
eVisas: As of July 15, vignette stickers were no longer provided to individuals on the Skilled Worker and Global Talent routes, with eVisas issued instead.
Border Security Command: The new Border Security Command, established to combat illegal migration and smuggling gangs, was launched.
Border Security:
A Border Security Command has been established to combat illegal migration, with efforts to "smash the gangs" through international agreements, including France.
The Labour Government's immigration policies, the government established a Border Security Command to coordinate efforts against illegal migration, and its "Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill" aims to tackle organised crime groups and strengthen border security. There was a significant increase in small boat crossings despite the government's pledges and a lower asylum grant rate compared to the previous year. The success of the government's policies remains unclear, and some believe they lack a bold enough approach.
Policy and Performance Assessment
Border Security Command:
It was created by the government in July 2024 to coordinate efforts against illegal migration, as reported by GOV.UK.
"Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill":
The government introduced this bill to create the framework for the Border Security Command and repeal aspects of the previous Illegal Migration Act, though some critics argue it doesn't go far enough to reverse previous policies, according to Freedom from Torture and UK Parliament.
Asylum and Hotel Use:
While the government aims to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by 2029, the number of people in hotels increased between June 2024 and June 2025, though it has fallen since March 2025.
Asylum Backlog and Decisions: The number of decisions on asylum cases has increased by 55% since June 2024, resulting in a fall in the overall asylum backlog. However, the percentage of claims granted has decreased, and the backlog of asylum court appeals has reached a record high.
Small Boat Crossings:
Despite pledges to "stop the boats," small boat crossings have significantly increased in Labour's first year.
Criticisms and Challenges
Lack of Boldness:
Some critics would argue that the government's approach, especially concerning Illegal Migration, is a "muddle in the middle," lacking either a bolder deterrent or a more radical humanitarian approach. Both the Conservative and the Labour Governments' approaches have failed to provide a robust, definitive deterrent to Illegal (irregular) Migrant arrivals from the start.
If they had made arrangements to hold them in a Secure Reception Centre, where they were not free to roam at will, then they could have agreed to return them all to their Country of Origin. As they had come to Britain Illegally and they had passed through many safe Countries. Also, our Prisons wouldn't be overcrowded as there would have been 10,737 fewer prisoners.
As of September 30, 2025, there were 10,737 foreign nationals are in prison in England and Wales.
However, official statistics do not specify how many of these individuals initially entered the UK illegally.
Key Figures And Data
Total foreign nationals in prison: The number of foreign national offenders (FNOs) stood at 10,737 in England and Wales in late 2024, representing about 12% of the total prison population.
Remand vs. Sentenced: Of the total FNO prison population in September 2025, 3,719 were on remand awaiting trial or sentencing, and 6,691 were serving a sentence.
Most common nationalities:
The largest groups of FNOs in prison come from Albania, Poland, Romania, Ireland, and India.
Missing or unrecorded data:
Official records acknowledge that the reported figures on foreign nationals may be an underestimate, as nationality is not always accurately recorded by prison authorities.
Uncertainty of Success
The effectiveness of the government's policies is still under assessment, with some political analysts suggesting that making the complex system more complicated might not guarantee success.
Government & Administration
Civil Service:
The Institute for Government has highlighted ongoing challenges for the civil service in delivering on the government's agenda.
Public Opinion & Data
Keir Starmer's favourability ratings saw a significant drop in July 2025, according to YouGov.
Public Services & The Economy
Keir Starmer announced a 10-year plan for the NHS in July 2025, titled "Fit for the Future," which shifts the focus from hospitals to community care, digital innovation, and prevention. The plan aims to create a more proactive and preventative health service, with a major component being the establishment of around 200 new neighbourhood health centres staffed by various health professionals to provide more local, accessible care.
Key Elements Of The Plan
Shift from hospital to community: The goal is to move outpatient care, including many scans and follow-up appointments, out of hospitals and into local neighbourhood health centres. These centres will house a mix of GPs, nurses, pharmacists, social care workers, and mental health specialists.
Digital innovation:
The plan involves a digital overhaul of community services, including new developments for the NHS App and a new platform for remote patient monitoring and a single patient record. Ambient AI will also be used to capture information during consultations, and generative AI will help draft initial care plans.
Focus on prevention:
The plan emphasises moving from a "sickness service" to a "health service," which includes expanding screening and early diagnosis programs, promoting lifestyle interventions like pharmacy-led weight-loss services, and encouraging healthier choices.
Nursing and staff:
Key announcements for nursing include ending "corridor care," introducing neighbourhood nursing and midwifery leads, increasing nurse consultants, and launching a new professional nursing strategy. The plan also aims to recruit an additional 8,500 staff to help treat children and adults.
Other targets:
The plan includes specific targets such as reducing waiting lists, doubling the number of cancer scanners, delivering more dental appointments, improving mental health services, and reducing health inequalities.
Public Service Performance
Despite increased capital budgets and pay awards, public service performance remained below pre-pandemic levels, with analysts noting that improvements were slower than hoped.
Progress on public services has been slower than hoped
Jul 2025 — Labour is banking on reforms to improve public services. ... With tight spending plans after 2026,
Institute for Government
Economic Outlook: Rachel Reeves's fiscal decisions were noted, but with analyses suggesting limited room for manoeuvre in fiscal policy.
Fiscal Responsibility
A fiscal lock bill has been introduced to require independent assessments for major tax and spending changes, aiming to ensure fiscal discipline.
Border Security
A Border Security Command was established, and new legislation was proposed to treat people smuggling as a crime equivalent to terrorism.
Returns Agreements
The government was reportedly working on an imminent returns agreement with France.
Cabinet Structure
The government strengthened Pat McFadden's role and used smaller cabinet subcommittees to focus on key priorities, including the "Plan for Change".
Labour Force Survey
The ONS launched its new Core Survey, a key step in transforming the UK's labour market statistics.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) launched
the new, streamlined
Core Survey in July 2025 as a key part of its transformation of the UK's labour market statistics, creating a new, more modern Transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS). The TLFS includes this short, labour-market-focused Core Survey, alongside a separate Plus Survey for wider socioeconomic data, with the goal of reducing respondent burden, improving data quality, and enhancing representativeness.
Office for National Statistics
Labour ...said about the poor start in the 1st year. 'We promised change, but people aren't feeling it yet'
Economy and finance
Mansion House speech:
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her annual Mansion House speech on July 15, outlining the "Leeds Reforms".
She announced a new strategy for the financial services sector to unlock its potential and boost economic growth.
New policies included measures to reform the Financial Ombudsman Service, make changes to capital requirements, and boost retail investment.
National Wealth Fund
Legislation was announced to establish a National Wealth Fund, aimed at attracting private investment for infrastructure and green energy.
State Pension review
The government launched the third review of the State Pension age on July 21, based on the Pensions Act 2014, to assess if the current pensionable age is appropriate.
Healthcare
10-Year Health Plan:
On July 3, Prime Minister Starmer launched a 10-Year Health Plan, with a key initiative being the creation of a "Neighbourhood Health Service".
NHS App development
A main part of the health plan is to expand the functionality of the NHS App, turning it into a "new front door" for the entire NHS.
Legal and social policy.
Employment Rights Bill
The Employment Rights Bill continued its journey through parliament, with the House of Lords debating and voting on a number of amendments during its report stage in July.
The final day of the report stage was on July 24.
Online Safety Act
The government announced several measures to implement the Online Safety Act, including bringing section 210 of the Act into force on July 25, which ends the transition period for video-sharing platforms.
Online Safety super-complaints
Regulations were also enacted in July to establish the eligibility and procedural matters for super-complaints regarding online safety to Ofcom.
International relations
Gaza statement
On July 25, Prime Minister Starmer released a statement on the situation in Gaza, describing Israel's military escalation as "indefensible" and calling for a two-state solution.
UK-France Summit
At, a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron on July 10, Starmer announced a "Northwood Declaration" to coordinate independent nuclear deterrents.
Support for Ukraine: Starmer also held a virtual meeting with the "Coalition of the Willing" in early July to rally more support for Ukraine.
In August 2025...
The UK Labour government's activities would likely reflect ongoing efforts to achieve its stated goals, which include economic stability, delivering on its "Plan for Change" that includes initiatives for home building, ending hospital backlogs, increasing police presence, improving early years education, and addressing ongoing challenges like the economy and migration.
However, specific "done" actions would depend on the exact date and any recently announced policies or progress reports published by the government and independent bodies in August 2025.
Key policy areas and potential actions in August 2025:
Economy
Continued focus on economic growth and stability, potentially through measures from its "Plan for Change" and the "fiscal lock" bill, which requires independent assessments of major tax and spending changes.
Healthcare:
Working to end NHS backlogs by focusing on the target of 92% of patients waiting less than 18 weeks for treatment.
Policing:
Aiming to increase the visibility of policing with more officers and a neighbourhood policing guarantee, and tackling crime, including knife crime and anti-social behaviour.
Housing and Infrastructure:
Pursuing plans to rebuild Britain by delivering new homes and making planning decisions on major infrastructure projects.
Energy:
Delivering on the Clean Power 2030 initiative, with a focus on secure, home-grown energy.
Education:
Working towards a target for five-year-olds to meet the Early Years Foundation Standard, potentially through pilot programs for free breakfast clubs in primary schools.
Migration:
Continuing to implement plans for a specialised enforcement unit and setting up support programs in countries of origin to assist with the reintegration of returnees.
Institute for Government:
In August 2025, the Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, continued implementing policies from its first year in power, with a focus on its five missions: the economy, the NHS, crime, opportunity, and clean energy
. The month saw specific updates on immigration reforms and continued diplomatic efforts.
Immigration
Several key changes to the UK's immigration system took effect in August, as part of the government's strategy to link visa rules with domestic employment and training.
Skilled worker visas:
Stricter visa rules took effect on July 22nd and continued through August. New requirements include higher qualifications, increased salary thresholds, and a revised Shortage Occupation List that will be in place until the end of 2026.
Care worker visas:
In conjunction with the new skilled worker rules, the recruitment of overseas social care workers ended on July 22nd.
Asylum seeker housing:
The government's plan to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by 2029 continued, with a shorter 28-day move-out period introduced for newly granted asylum seekers.
Economy and business
The government provided clarity on several economic and business policies during August.
Corporation tax:
It was confirmed that corporation tax would remain capped at 25% for the duration of the parliament.
Procurement and consultancy:
New procurement rules designed to give small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) better access to government contracts were implemented. The government also reported a halving of spending on consultants.
Skills:
The Department for Skills England published new guidance and data related to its Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2025 to 2026, including an assessment of priority skills for the coming years.
Foreign policy
Support for Ukraine: Prime Minister Starmer co-chaired two virtual meetings in August with the "Coalition of the Willing," an international group supporting Ukraine. The meetings discussed security guarantees and peace negotiations following talks involving the US and Russia.
Occupied Palestinian Territories:
The UK joined 26 other international partners in issuing a joint statement concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Other ongoing developments
Labour leadership and polls: During August, YouGov polling showed Labour's net favorability score was -37, putting it almost on par with the Conservative Party's score of -39. This represented the smallest gap between the two parties since 2021.
Shadow cabinet changes: The month saw several reports regarding shadow cabinet and ministerial responsibilities, including new roles for David Lammy, Yvette Cooper, and Shabana Mahmood. However, specific announcements and ministerial shuffling occurred in September, following Angela Rayner's resignation.
State pension review: The third State Pension age review, which was launched in July, continued through August. The review is examining whether the current pensionable age is appropriate based on the latest life expectancy data.
IN SEPTEMBER 2025....
Challenges and Outlook
Recent Political Developments
Angela Rayner Resignation:
The resignation of Angela Rayner has tested Labour's new ethics system and disrupted Keir Starmer's agenda for his government.
Government Majority: 2025 is a Make-or-Break Year:
Public Optimism:
Public optimism regarding the government's ability to improve lives after four years remains low, with only a slight increase in positive sentiment.
Ministers are entering a critical 12 months to demonstrate their ability to deliver, as the government's success in governing effectively could significantly impact public opinion.
Focus on Public Service Reform:
Labour is banking on ongoing reforms to achieve performance improvements in public services over the long term, as outlined in their "Plan for Change".
How big is the Labour government's majority?
There are 650 seats in parliament. At the general election, the government won 411 of them. 05 JUL 2024.
The Labour government's majority in parliament has reduced from its initial 411 seats to 399 as of September 1, 2025, due to several MPs resigning, including Rosie Duffield and the suspension of others.
Angela Rayner Resignation:
The resignation of Angela Rayner has tested Labour's new ethics system and disrupted Keir Starmer's agenda for his government.
In early September 2025, the Labour government was also dealing with the fallout from the Angela Rayner resignation, which derailed the Prime Minister's planned reset, and the ongoing challenge of improving public services amidst tight budgets. Key actions in the past year have included establishing a Border Security Command, increasing capital budgets for public services, and introducing reforms such as the National Wealth Fund and a fiscal lock bill to attract investment and ensure responsible spending.
Key Policy Initiatives
Progress on Public Services
Slower than Expected Progress: On Public Services
Despite reforms to improve public services and increase capital budgets, performance levels are still struggling to return to pre-pandemic standards, with tight day-to-day spending plans beyond 2026 posing a challenge.
Economic Stability:
The government has introduced the National Wealth Fund to attract private investment, reformed pensions, and is streamlining planning processes to boost economic growth.
Focus on Public Service Reform:
Labour is banking on ongoing reforms to achieve performance improvements in public services over the long term, as outlined in their "Plan for Change"
Fiscal Responsibility:
A fiscal lock bill has been introduced to require independent assessments for major tax and spending changes, aiming to ensure fiscal discipline.
Border Security:
A Border Security Command has been established to combat illegal migration, with efforts to "smash the gangs" through international agreements, including with France.
.......................................................................
In September 2025, the Labour government introduced the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, conducted a major cabinet reshuffle, and began the initial rollout of co-located nurseries in schools
Other significant events included parliamentary debates on immigration rules and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
Legislation and policy
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill was introduced in the House of Commons to establish a Hillsborough Law.
The government began the initial rollout of co-located nurseries in schools.
The Employment Rights Bill progressed through Parliament, with debates on specific clauses like those relating to seasonal and agency workers.
The government announced it would introduce a new £5 billion Local Growth Fund, with local communities leading decision-making on projects, as described in this Ward Hadaway article.
Government and politics
Keir Starmer undertook his most significant cabinet reshuffle, with key changes including Yvette Cooper moving to lead the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Peter Kyle becoming Secretary of State for Business and Trade, according to the Institute for Government.
The government initiated a debate on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
Other activity
Parliament held a debate on immigration rules, including a potential 10-year route to indefinite leave to remain for some skilled workers, with a consultation to follow at the end of the year.
The government launched a pilot school breakfast program.
In September 2025, the Labour government was active on several fronts, including introducing legislation, managing the economy, and dealing with internal party matters
Legislation and Policy
Hillsborough Law: The government introduced the Public Office (Accountability) Bill in the House of Commons, which aims to place a legal duty of candour on public servants and provide legal aid for victims of state-related deaths and disasters.
Employment Rights: Debates continued in Parliament regarding the Employment Rights Bill, with discussions on aspects like short-notice shift cancellation payments and zero-hours contracts.
Immigration: Parliament held a debate on September 8, 2025, concerning the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for skilled workers and BNO visa holders, in response to public petitions and a May 2025 white paper that proposed changes to the duration of the pathway to settlement.
Industrial Strategy: The government published the Defence Industrial Strategy 2025: Making Defence an Engine for Growth as part of its modern industrial strategy.
Education Reforms: Towards the end of the month, the Prime Minister announced significant reforms to further and higher education, aiming to align the system with the future jobs market and introduce a new target for young people participating in higher-level learning.
Economy and Governance:
Public Finances: Government borrowing reached £20.2 billion in September, the highest level for that month in five years, driven by increased debt interest payments. This fueled speculation about potential tax increases or spending cuts in the upcoming Autumn Budget in November 2025.
Economic Indicators:
Inflation remained steady at 3.8% in the year to September, above the Bank of England's 2% target. The UK economy grew by 0.3% between June and August, a slowdown from the previous three months.
Ministerial Appointments:
A government reshuffle occurred, with new appointments announced, including the Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP as Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons.
Party Conference:
The Labour Party prepared for its annual conference, with an Institute for Government preview noting the government had "delivered quite a bit for business this year" despite some "wary" relations.
Political Events
Angela Rayner Ethics Probe: Ethical questions surrounding Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's past property purchase and potential underpayment of tax continued to be a major news story, with the issue potentially overshadowing other policy initiatives.
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