Labour Government: Progress and Achievements Since July 2024

Introduction

Since taking office in July 2024, the Labour government has focused on delivering reforms across key sectors, aiming to rebuild trust and drive progress. From housing to healthcare, their policies reflect a commitment to addressing long-standing challenges while fostering growth and equality.

Key Achievements

1. NHS Reforms

Labour has made strides in improving healthcare:

• Ended junior doctor strikes, reducing NHS waiting lists.
• Secured £400m investment to boost clinical trials and enhance services.
• Announced recruitment of 1,000 additional GPs, strengthening primary care.

2. Housing Initiatives

The government has prioritized housing reforms:

• Banned no-fault evictions, offering renters greater security.
• Launched the ‘Homes for Heroes’ program, ensuring housing for veterans, abuse survivors, and care leavers.
• Introduced planning reforms to accelerate homebuilding.

3. Transport Improvements

Labour has focused on public transport:

• Ended train strikes, improving reliability for passengers.
• Began transitioning railways into public ownership, aiming for better services.
• Empowered communities to manage local bus services.

4. Economic Growth

Efforts to boost the economy include:

• Unveiled green infrastructure projects, creating jobs and driving growth.
• Introduced measures to support small businesses impacted by late payments.
• Launched the National Wealth Fund to unlock private investment.

5. Immigration Backlog Reduction

Labour has taken steps to reduce the immigration backlog, which stood at 90,698 cases in early 2025. Their approach includes:

• Hiring additional caseworkers to accelerate asylum decisions.
• Expanding legal support teams to process applications more efficiently.
• Investing in digital systems to streamline immigration case management.
• Collaborating with international partners to improve border security and asylum processing.

6. Deportation Statistics

Since Labour took office, deportation of foreign offenders has increased:

• 3,594 deportations since July 2024, a 16% rise from the previous year.
• The backlog of pending deportations has risen to 19,244 from 17,907.
• The top three nationalities deported were Albanian (11%), Polish (8%), and Romanian (7%).

Challenges contributing to delays include prison overcrowding, legal appeals, and diplomatic barriers. To address this, the government has allocated £5 million to deploy staff across 80 prisons, speeding up deportation processes.

7. Trade Agreements & Global Relations

Labour has actively deployed trade envoys to strengthen international trade relations. As of April 2025, the UK has 32 Trade Envoys covering 79 markets across six continents. These envoys engage with foreign governments, lead trade delegations, and work on securing new trade agreements.

A notable success includes the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement, presented to Parliament in April 2025, ensuring continued trade between the two nations while maintaining key economic partnerships.

8. Lower Interest Rates

The Bank of England, under Labour’s guidance, has gradually reduced interest rates, easing borrowing costs for businesses and homeowners.

9. National Living Wage Increase

Labour raised the National Living Wage, benefiting millions of low-paid workers and addressing income inequality.

10. Workers’ Rights Legislation

The government fast-tracked the Employment Rights Bill, introducing reforms on flexible working, fair pay, and dismissal protections.

11. Defence Spending Increase

Labour has committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, strengthening national security and military capabilities.

12. Employment Support Expansion

The government has allocated £1 billion towards employment support services and an extra £400 million for job centres to facilitate re-employment efforts.

13. Universal Credit Adjustments

The basic rate of Universal Credit is set to increase by £14 weekly by 2029-30, providing additional financial support for low-income households.

Challenges & Criticism

1. Welfare Cuts

Labour’s £500m welfare cuts have faced backlash, with unions criticizing reductions in support for vulnerable groups. Critics warn that over 250,000 individuals could fall into relative poverty due to these reforms.

2. Public Sector Job Cuts

The government is considering cutting 10,000 civil service roles, sparking concerns over service efficiency and job security.

3. Trade Union Tensions

Labour’s biggest unions, including Unite, GMB, and Unison, have criticized aspects of the Spring Statement, particularly welfare reductions.

4. Fiscal Constraints

The government faces stagnating tax receipts and rising borrowing costs, limiting its ability to introduce further economic stimulus measures.

5. Public Sector Net Financial Liabilities

Forecasted to reach 83.5% of GDP by 2026-27, raising concerns about long-term fiscal sustainability.

Conclusion

The Labour government has made significant progress in its first nine months, addressing critical issues and laying the groundwork for long-term change. While challenges remain, their achievements reflect a commitment to reform, security, and economic growth.

 

Sources
Bank of England reports on interest rates adjustments and fiscal policy
UK Parliament records on trade agreements and economic forecasts
Home Office deportation statistics released in April 2025
Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) analysis of UK financial trends
Labour government policy documents and Spring Statement 2025