Today the Prime Minister has announced five promises:
- 1. Halving inflation. We will halve inflation this year to ease the cost of living and give people the financial security they deserve. Inflation has fallen, but it is still too high. To reduce it, we will continue to work closely with the Bank of England, help people with energy costs and encourage people back to work.
- 2. Growing the economy. We will return to economic growth by the end of the year, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity across the country. Although we face economic challenges the fundamentals of our economy are strong, and the government is continuing to invest in innovation, skills and infrastructure.
- 3. Getting debt down. We will make sure our national debt is falling so that we can secure the future of public services. Without sustainable public finances we will not deliver sustainable economic growth – that is why we will maintain our fiscal rules, so debt falls as a share of the economy in five years’ time.
- 4. Cutting NHS waiting lists. The pandemic put huge pressure on the NHS, leading to 100,000s patients waiting too long for treatment. We’re on track to eliminate waits of more than 18 months by April – we will build on this and reduce NHS waiting lists by March 2024, so people can get the care they need more quickly.
- 5. Stopping the boats. We will pass legislation so that if you come here illegally, you are detained and removed. This builds on the five-point plan to tackle illegal immigration that the Prime Minister announced in December.