Keir Starmer admits life for many in Britain 'is still harder than it should be' in his New Year's message - but vows 'things can and will get better' in 2026 as he fights to turn around premiership
In an upbeat New Year's message, the Prime Minister echoed the New Labour anthem as he insisted that 'things can and will get better'.
By MARTIN BECKFORD, POLICY EDITOR
Published: 22:30 GMT, 31 December 2025 | Updated: 01:30 GMT, 1 January 2026
Sir Keir Starmer has promised that his Government will make people’s lives easier in 2026 in an attempt to turn round his failing fortunes.
In an upbeat New Year’s message on Wednesday night, the Prime Minister echoed the New Labour anthem as he vowed that ‘things can and will get better’.
He admitted many Britons are still struggling and said he too felt frustrated by how slow change has been, in an acknowledgment of his administration’s failings since his party won the election 18 months ago.
But he insisted that the situation will change this coming year, with reduced bills and improved public services, amid a widespread belief in Westminster that his own job will be on the line unless he can turn around his party’s dire poll ratings as crucial elections loom.
In a video message broadcast online on New Year's Eve, Sir Keir said: ‘Things have been tough in Britain for a while. For many, life is still harder than it should be. You long for a bit more money in your pockets, a meal out, a holiday. The chance to make a special family moment extra special.
‘In 2026, the choices we've made will mean more people will begin to feel positive change in your bills, your communities and your health service.
‘But even more people will feel once again a sense of hope, a belief that things can and will get better, feel that the promise of renewal can become a reality, and my government will make it that reality.’
Sir Keir Starmer delivering his New Year's message on his hopes for 2026
He went on: ‘I share the frustration about the pace of change.
‘The challenges we face were decades in the making, and renewal is not an overnight job, but putting our country back on a stable footing will become our strength.’
The PM cited the freezing of rail fares, prescription charges and fuel duty, along with £150 cuts to energy bills, as evidence of Government support ‘with the cost of living’.
And he pledged there will be ‘more police on the streets by March’ along with new health hubs open in April among imminent improvements to public services.
‘When Britain turns the corner with our future now in our control, the real Britain will shine through more strongly,’ Sir Keir promised, claiming that 2026 will be the year when ‘things start to feel easier’ and ‘when politics shows it can help again’.
However latest polling shows the scale of the challenge he faces in getting the public to credit his Labour administration for any improvement in their circumstances.