This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/65647308

The article has changed 34 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Rishi Sunak's five promises: What progress has he made? Rishi Sunak's five promises: What progress has he made?
(about 2 hours later)
On 4 January, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set out his five priorities for 2023.On 4 January, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set out his five priorities for 2023.
"I fully expect you to hold my government and I to account on delivering those goals," he said."I fully expect you to hold my government and I to account on delivering those goals," he said.
What progress has been made?What progress has been made?
Halving inflationHalving inflation
The government's top priority is halving inflation - the increase in prices over time - by the end of 2023.The government's top priority is halving inflation - the increase in prices over time - by the end of 2023.
Inflation was at 10.7% in the three-month period between October and December 2022, which means the government aims to reduce inflation to 5.3%. (It uses the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure, which tracks the price of a typical basket of goods).Inflation was at 10.7% in the three-month period between October and December 2022, which means the government aims to reduce inflation to 5.3%. (It uses the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure, which tracks the price of a typical basket of goods).
At the time the PM stated his intentions - in January, many experts already expected inflation in the UK to drop.At the time the PM stated his intentions - in January, many experts already expected inflation in the UK to drop.
But prices have continued to increase since the pledge, and inflation did not drop as predicted between April and May, remaining at 8.7%.But prices have continued to increase since the pledge, and inflation did not drop as predicted between April and May, remaining at 8.7%.
However, in June, it fell to 7.9%, its lowest level in more than a year.However, in June, it fell to 7.9%, its lowest level in more than a year.
Analysts remain divided about whether the PM's goal will be achieved.Analysts remain divided about whether the PM's goal will be achieved.
When will we know? Inflation figures for the fourth quarter of 2023 will be published on 17 January 2024.When will we know? Inflation figures for the fourth quarter of 2023 will be published on 17 January 2024.
Why is UK inflation so high?Why is UK inflation so high?
Why inflation is falling but prices are still risingWhy inflation is falling but prices are still rising
How much are prices rising for you? Try our calculatorHow much are prices rising for you? Try our calculator
Growing the economyGrowing the economy
Downing Street said the pledge to "grow the economy" will be met if the economy is bigger in October-December 2023 than it was during the previous quarter (July-September).Downing Street said the pledge to "grow the economy" will be met if the economy is bigger in October-December 2023 than it was during the previous quarter (July-September).
It is using GDP (or Gross Domestic Product), a measure of all the activity of companies, governments and individuals.It is using GDP (or Gross Domestic Product), a measure of all the activity of companies, governments and individuals.
This would not normally be seen as a difficult pledge, because the UK's economy is usually growing.This would not normally be seen as a difficult pledge, because the UK's economy is usually growing.
But there has not been a lot of growth recently, and the UK economy is still smaller than it was before the pandemic.But there has not been a lot of growth recently, and the UK economy is still smaller than it was before the pandemic.
The pledge to grow the economy is made more difficult by the government's promise to halve inflation.The pledge to grow the economy is made more difficult by the government's promise to halve inflation.
The Bank of England has been putting up interest rates in an attempt to reduce spending and stop prices rising so quickly.The Bank of England has been putting up interest rates in an attempt to reduce spending and stop prices rising so quickly.
However, this slows economic growth.However, this slows economic growth.
When will we know? GDP for the fourth quarter of 2023 will be published on 13 February 2024.When will we know? GDP for the fourth quarter of 2023 will be published on 13 February 2024.
Debt fallingDebt falling
When governments talk about debt falling, they almost always mean as a proportion of GDP.When governments talk about debt falling, they almost always mean as a proportion of GDP.
The idea is that debt is falling if it is growing more slowly than the economy.The idea is that debt is falling if it is growing more slowly than the economy.
But debt rose above 100% of GDP for the first time since 1961.But debt rose above 100% of GDP for the first time since 1961.
And if Mr Sunak does not achieve his second priority of growing the economy, then cutting debt becomes even harder.And if Mr Sunak does not achieve his second priority of growing the economy, then cutting debt becomes even harder.
The deadline for this pledge is not clear.The deadline for this pledge is not clear.
In the Budget in March, the government claimed to be on track because the independent Office for Budget Responsibility - which checks the health of the economy - forecast that debt as a proportion of GDP would fall in 2027-28.In the Budget in March, the government claimed to be on track because the independent Office for Budget Responsibility - which checks the health of the economy - forecast that debt as a proportion of GDP would fall in 2027-28.
But what it actually said was that it would rise from 88.9% in 2022 to 94.8% in 2026-27, before falling slightly to 94.6% in 2027-28. And it issued some stark warnings about the sustainability of UK debt.But what it actually said was that it would rise from 88.9% in 2022 to 94.8% in 2026-27, before falling slightly to 94.6% in 2027-28. And it issued some stark warnings about the sustainability of UK debt.
When will we know? The next debt forecasts will be published alongside the 2023 Autumn Statement.When will we know? The next debt forecasts will be published alongside the 2023 Autumn Statement.
Warning public debt could soar as population agesWarning public debt could soar as population ages
How does government borrowing work?How does government borrowing work?
NHS waiting lists fallingNHS waiting lists falling
Mr Sunak said: "NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly."Mr Sunak said: "NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly."
His pledge only refers to waiting lists in England, because Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland manage their own health systems.His pledge only refers to waiting lists in England, because Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland manage their own health systems.
However, the overall number of patients waiting for treatment in England rose from 7.42 million in April, to 7.47 million in May.However, the overall number of patients waiting for treatment in England rose from 7.42 million in April, to 7.47 million in May.
Mr Sunak has claimed that he is cutting waiting lists, but that is only true of certain lists.Mr Sunak has claimed that he is cutting waiting lists, but that is only true of certain lists.
The number of people waiting more than 18 months, for example, fell between April and May.The number of people waiting more than 18 months, for example, fell between April and May.
The NHS target is to see people within 18 weeks for non-urgent consultant-led treatment.The NHS target is to see people within 18 weeks for non-urgent consultant-led treatment.
We asked Downing Street when the prime minister aims to have waiting lists falling.We asked Downing Street when the prime minister aims to have waiting lists falling.
It pointed us towards the plan for tackling the backlog of elective care (care planned in advance), which said the overall waiting list was expected to be falling by about March 2024.It pointed us towards the plan for tackling the backlog of elective care (care planned in advance), which said the overall waiting list was expected to be falling by about March 2024.
When will we know?: Waiting list figures are usually published on the second Thursday of each month.When will we know?: Waiting list figures are usually published on the second Thursday of each month.
Find out about hospital waiting times in your areaFind out about hospital waiting times in your area
Stopping small boatsStopping small boats
The final priority was to stop the small boats which bring people across the English Channel, after 45,755 migrants crossed over from France in 2022.The final priority was to stop the small boats which bring people across the English Channel, after 45,755 migrants crossed over from France in 2022.
The prime minister proposed to do this through new legislation. The government finally passed its Illegal Migration Bill on 17 July,ending a long-running stand-off between MPs and Lords. The prime minister proposed to do this through new legislation. The government finally passed its Illegal Migration Bill on 17 July, ending a long-running stand-off between MPs and Lords.
Mr Sunak has said that his plan to tackle small boat crossings is "starting to work".Mr Sunak has said that his plan to tackle small boat crossings is "starting to work".
However, most arrivals cross the Channel in the summer months. As at 16 July, 13,200 had done so. That figure includes 3,824 in June, the highest number for any June on record.However, most arrivals cross the Channel in the summer months. As at 16 July, 13,200 had done so. That figure includes 3,824 in June, the highest number for any June on record.
When will we know? Figures on arrivals in small boats are collected daily.When will we know? Figures on arrivals in small boats are collected daily.
Chris Mason: Big moment on small boats but solution still far offChris Mason: Big moment on small boats but solution still far off
Rishi Sunak's claims on small boats fact checkedRishi Sunak's claims on small boats fact checked
What do you want BBC Verify to investigate?What do you want BBC Verify to investigate?
Related TopicsRelated Topics
InflationInflation
GDPGDP
Rishi SunakRishi Sunak
Economic growthEconomic growth
BBC VerifyBBC Verify
NHSNHS
MigrationMigration