Start the rebuilding work, Keir Starmer, and show us you’re different to the last bunch of cowboys | Isabel Hardman

Setting up yet another commission on social care is an extreme example of Labour putting off the promised urgent repairs

Is this really going to be the year that the government “gets things done”? Keir Starmer is branding it as a “year of rebuilding”, returning to work with a series of announcements that he claims show the government is serious about fixing the NHS. Tomorrow, he will unveil an elective recovery plan for the health service, which he hopes will be received as a radical overhaul – and a sign that he is on the right track after a difficult start to his premiership.

The changes include patients being able refer themselves for tests and scans, as well as consultations on the same day as those tests so that they can get on with treatment or have the reassurance of knowing nothing is wrong. There are also changes to the way surgery is planned, so that hip and knee replacements aren’t routinely cancelled during winter crises.

Topics

News updates from January 6: Canadian PM Trudeau announces resignation; Keir Starmer hits back at Musk

Financial Times - 3h
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hits back at Elon Musk

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer hit back at Elon Musk on Monday after the world's richest man repeatedly lobbed a host of inflammatory allegations at the country's leader over the past week.
CBS News - 11h
Keir Starmer attacks those ‘spreading lies’ over child sex grooming gangs after comments from Elon Musk – UK politics live

Prime minister’s speech announcing NHS reforms derailed by questions over inflammatory claims from Elon Musk. Starmer is now summarising some of the measures in the elective reform plan.. Here is ...
The Guardian - 12h
Starmer's NHS waiting list plan - will it work?

Lack of staff and money could make it difficult for government to achieve its aims.
BBC News - 13h
Far-right Italian PM says she is ‘in tune on many issues’ with Keir Starmer

Giorgia Meloni says she and Starmer agree on need to explore ‘innovative solutions’ for processing asylum claims. Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said she is “in tune on many issues” ...
The Guardian - 3d
Chiefs will start Carson Wentz Sunday, Mecole Hardman will return to practice

The expectation since last Wednesday's win over the Steelers has been that the Chiefs will be resting quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Week 18 and head coach Andy Reid confirmed it on Wednesday.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Many great prime ministers overcome a shaky start – but Keir Starmer’s window is closing fast | Anthony Seldon

Successful PMs learn on the job, and Labour’s leader needs to start 2025 by showing his party and the country he has done so. The dismissive verdicts and dire polls after Keir Starmer’s first few ...
The Guardian - 5d