Rishi Sunak

In his first speech of 2023, the PM will also set out his priorities, including dealing with NHS backlogs.

"It's great to hear the prime minister today committing to maths beyond 16," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. There were more English teachers (39,000) and science teachers (45,000). It is not clear what the plans will mean for students who wish to study humanities or creative arts qualifications, including BTecs. The prime minister also said education was "the closest thing to a silver bullet there is". However, the Association of School and College Leaders said there was a "severe shortage of maths teachers", and that the plan was "therefore currently unachievable". In his speech, Mr Sunak said the UK must "reimagine our approach to numeracy".

First major speech by PM puts forward plans for health, education and economy.

This tableau illustrates the folly of relying too heavily on the law to solve political and economic problems. So are the leaders of the Royal College of Nurses and the British Medical Association, whose organisations face financial ruin because of punitive fines for non-cooperation in breaking their own strikes. With them are some doctors who’ve been threatened with dismissal by their health trust because they refused to work to one of the new government-imposed “minimum service arrangements”.

Prime Minister announces five pledges on the economy, health and immigration.

And I fully expect the country to hold me and the government to account.” “We’ve got to stop violence against women and girls. Five foundations on which to build a better future for our children and grandchildren. I made five very simple promises, the country’s priorities and my priorities. “But what I am being very clear about what I am prioritising and what I am keen to deliver for the country in terms that I think are easy to understand. “I’ve been very clear, as I said today, unambiguous. I really am.” On NHS waiting lists he said the Government was on track to eliminate waits of one and half years by April of this year with waits of one year gone by next Spring. I want to be held accountable for them...no ambiguity about them. He added: “The key is sticking to those and making sure that we have the discipline to do so because that’s not always easy, but it’s the right thing to do to secure the future of public services and indeed to combat inflation.” Mr Sunak said: “My expectation is that we will be able to halve the rate of inflation by the end of this year - on our path, by the way, to restoring inflation back to where it belongs, which is the 2 per cent inflation target that we set the Bank of England. He told an audience in east London: “I want to make five promises to you today.

But this is the hill multimillionaire Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has chosen to fight on as the country buckles under a cost-of-living crisis that has brought ...

Which makes one wonder if it is just 3.141 in the sky, or simply another distraction to keep us from figuring out that Tory austerity + Brexit = economic disaster. And it’s the single most important reason why I came into politics: to give every child the highest possible standard of education.” That means more pain for households, and the workers out on the picket lines. That’s a rise of almost 355% compared to the previous November. The problem is that the numbers show that, in fact, Britain is faring worse than most. “Every opportunity I’ve had in life began with the education I was so fortunate to receive. In December, British manufacturers saw one of their sharpest falls in activity since the 2008/09 recession, largely because of a drop in new orders. This week, the president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said as many as 500 people could be dying each week because of delays to emergency care. On Wednesday, in a speech meant to lay out his big picture vision for Britain, Sunak said he wanted all pupils in England to study maths in some form until the age of 18. So, in the words of Big Shaq, here are some quick maths for government ministers. In November, 37,837 patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E for a decision to be admitted to a hospital department, according to figures from NHS England. Most OECD countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United States, already require some study of maths until age 18.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has kicked off the new year with a speech penned to quell “apprehension” about life in the UK among the general public.

“Some people think innovation is all about gadgets and geekery, a nice-to-have, peripheral to growth compared to the traditional levers of tax and spend. And the change we need is to put innovation at the heart of everything we do. He made promises to improve healthcare and schools as part of a vision for a better future, but mentioned nothing on the natural environment. Sunak’s only mention of anything relating to the environment was a passing note to call the UK a “world leader” in clean technology. but also by changing our country and building a better future for our children and grandchildren.” He justified his choice of topics to focus on by arguing that they are “the people’s priorities” but “not the limit of [his] ambition for our country”.

Rishi Sunak has pledged to halve inflation and bring down NHS waiting lists, as he set out a fresh vision for his premiership with five promises to voters.

Mr Sunak has already set targets to reduce the backlog of asylum cases this year - something that can be directly measured. The NHS is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges facing Mr Sunak's government, so it's no surprise it makes his list. But note the prime minister hasn't put a firm time scale on his promise, instead outlining a gradual plan to reduce waiting times which allows him some scope. Proof, if you needed it, that setting measurable targets is always a political risk. His first big economic statement alongside his chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in the autumn outlined tough spending decisions and difficult choices. Growing the economy is something successive governments have tried to do - and made big promises about.

PM admits waiting times are too long as he makes five promises in new year speech.

Then, he remained solemn and focused on the immediate issue posed by a loss of market confidence after the mini-budget and deposition of Liz Truss. So the reason we’ve got a huge waiting list now is because we’re having to catch up with that.” “We will rebuild trust in politics through action, or not at all. People are understandably anxious when they see ambulances queueing outside hospitals.” “That’s what happened during Covid. “That’s what we shouldn’t do,” he told a press conference in east London on Wednesday.

Rishi Sunak also makes pledges on the economy and small boat crossings in his first major speech of 2023.

But it's worth remembering the oddity of how he came to be in the job he's doing. the party's deputy leader Angela Rayner said. Asked by the BBC's Chris Mason how soon things would improve in the NHS this winter, Mr Sunak said cutting waiting times was one of his priorities, adding: "I want the country to hold me to account for delivering it." And Mr Sunak's pledge to "grow the economy" will be met if GDP is higher in the fourth quarter of 2023 than in the third quarter. no ambiguity". Downing Street later said that halving inflation this year would be judged from the final quarter of 2022 to the final quarter of 2023.

The prime minister staked his premiership on a five-point plan to get through to polling day, expected in the autumn next year, admitting that the government ...

“I fear that when so many nursing professionals are considering their future in this profession and record numbers have already left, this situation will push even more out of the NHS.” The Labour leader will set out his principles for government and promise “a decade of national renewal”. Sunak’s speech left other sceptical Tory MPs deflated and fearing he will fail to conjure up a convincing enough narrative to close the party’s polling deficit. Will now be almost impossible to face the electorate at a GE [general election] and expect voters to believe or trust our manifesto commitments.” So I ask you to judge us on the effort we put in and the results we achieve.” Sunak said: “We’re about to start a new process for pay for [next] year.

It's safe to say the watching media were unimpressed by the prime minister.

“They’ve rowed back and you’ve been accused of doing the same. “But there’s still no plan to deal with the social care problem. That’s the reality of Britain in 2023.

The Prime Minister pledged to build a society that values families in his first major speech of the year. Rishi Sunak spoke at length about family as he set ...

“We need to support parents to manage the demands of modern workplaces without weakening the irreplaceable bonds of family life,” he said. Mr Sunak also claimed he wanted to “support parents to manage the demands of modern workplaces without weakening the irreplaceable bonds of family life”. Mr Sunak said his own family “sustains me in the most difficult moments in this job”, and claimed the Government would “roll out family hubs to offer parents the support they need to raise a child”.

Labour leader Starmer in turn pledges to keep tight grip on spending and push for radical public service reform.

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Rishi Sunak has pledged to halve inflation and bring down NHS waiting lists, as he set out a fresh vision for his premiership with five promises to voters.

Mr Sunak has already set targets to reduce the backlog of asylum cases this year - something that can be directly measured. The NHS is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges facing Mr Sunak's government, so it's no surprise it makes his list. But note the prime minister hasn't put a firm time scale on his promise, instead outlining a gradual plan to reduce waiting times which allows him some scope. Proof, if you needed it, that setting measurable targets is always a political risk. His first big economic statement alongside his chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in the autumn outlined tough spending decisions and difficult choices. Growing the economy is something successive governments have tried to do - and made big promises about.

Rishi Sunak's speech had the feel of the party conference speech he never gave; cast as he was, briefly, last autumn, towards political oblivion, ...

Some on the left might ponder what the point of a Labour government is that isn't willing to spend more money. Labour strategists conclude a general election this year is highly unlikely and so now is not the time for them to be unveiling lots of shiny new policies. But it's worth remembering the oddity of how he came to be in the job he's doing - this is a man who became prime minister in the blink of an eye, still attempting to introduce himself to the country.

Rishi Sunak made five pledges on the NHS, inflation, growth, reducing national debt and small boats.

We need real action to stop the criminal gangs at source." I think everyone watching will think that's the type of system we should have.” And that's what we're going to deliver,” Sunak said. “Just imagine what greater numeracy will unlock for people. “That's the type of system that I think makes sense. “We hugely value public sector workers like nurses, they do incredibly important work. He went on to suggest that the “most powerful way” to achieve growth was by making sure that “the UK is the most innovative economy in the world,”. He said that this and other issues were “the legacy of COVID and impacted by the war in Ukraine”, but admitted that this was “not an excuse” and the government needs to “address these problems”. Sunak said that the Covid-19 pandemic had “imposed massive new pressures and people are waiting too long for the care they need” and that “we need to recognise that something has to change”. Sunak said he wanted to make the UK “a beacon of science, technology and enterprise and lift our productivity, raise our growth rate and create jobs in the decades to come”. Sunak went on to insist that he would “celebrate and value the work of unions in our society” and the “important role” they play in society. He repeatedly stated that the public “should hold me to account for delivering” his five main pledges and that he was “confident that we will”.

The prime minister is looking at plans to ensure all school pupils in England study maths in some form until the age of 18. In his first speech of 2023, ...

"It's great to hear the prime minister today committing to maths beyond 16," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. There were more English teachers (39,000) and science teachers (45,000). It is not clear what the plans will mean for students who wish to study humanities or creative arts qualifications, including BTecs. The prime minister also said education was "the closest thing to a silver bullet there is". However, the Association of School and College Leaders said there was a "severe shortage of maths teachers", and that the plan was "therefore currently unachievable". In his speech, Mr Sunak said the UK must "reimagine our approach to numeracy".

Stuart Anderson, Conservative MP for Wolverhampton South West, said Mr Sunak had delivered "an honest reality check" of the challenges facing the country. Mr ...

"The NHS crisis in on their watch. "On the evidence of this speech it doesn’t look like it. The strikes are on their watch.

Rishi Sunak's maths until 18 policy has hit the headlines, but it's distracting us from the real issues, says Big Issue editor Paul McNamee.

And the thorny issue of allowing asylum seekers to work has not been tackled either. The issue of jobs and the workforce dwindling has not been dealt with either. Just when the country needs the government to be brave and consider some radical progressive thinking, they’re focused on box ticking. [The NHS is clearly the biggest and most pressing issue of the moment](https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/desperate-state-nhs/). And they’re just not there, at least not from the top down. He was a magician, of sorts.

Speaking on Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government would set out their plans in the "coming days" as he claimed a wave of winter strikes were ...

"These proposals are unworkable and unserious from a dead-end Government. "We'll be carefully scrutinising this legislation. Health services, education, border security and other transport services will be asked to take part in consultations with ministers to reach agreement around minimum provision levels. Ministers also said they were offering a further opportunity to have "honest, constructive conversations" with unions ahead of the new laws being passed in a bid to stave of strikes in the coming weeks. "While we hope that voluntary agreements can continue to be made in most cases, introducing minimum safety levels – the minimum levels of service we expect to be provided – will restore the balance between those seeking to strike and protecting the public from disproportionate disruption." The government has confirmed plans for controversial anti-strike laws despite warnings from peers that plans "simply won't work" due to the likelihood of significant delays in Parliament and legal challenges from unions.

Rishi Sunak's speech was not a government reset or rebranding – after 12 years in power, and with a maximum of two until the general election, ...

It means simplifying the funding of local and devolved government to give local leaders – including the new cadre of metro-mayors – the flexibility and certainty to invest effectively in their areas. Sunak may hope to be judged on the scorecard he has set out for himself. It means strengthening and clarifying the responsibilities of ministers and civil servants so they can be held to account for delivering the government’s priorities, and investing in the capability of the civil service to make and deliver policy. For the electorate, the impact of rolling strikes is simply the bitter icing on the unpalatable cake of falling standards and reduced availability of public services – not just in the NHS but across social care, criminal justice and education too. The PM noted in response to journalists’ questions that NHS waiting lists are already reducing, and a promise to introduce laws to stop small boats is very different to a target to actually reduce their number – it is doubtful whether illegal immigration is a problem susceptible to a simple legal solution. Rishi Sunak’s speech was not a government reset or rebranding – after 12 years in power, and with a maximum of two until the general election, he is aware there is neither the time nor the appetite among his Conservative Party colleagues for such reinvention.

Faced with ballooning industrial action, Rishi Sunak has unveiled plans to make striking for better pay and conditions futile.

While it is not protected by law in the UK, strike action is legal if organised by a trade union according to conditions laid out in the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. In the courts. In Parliament.

SNP MP Mhairi Black condemned the Tories' proposed anti-strike laws as "immoral".

This is a government for the rich and powerful. "The train companies say their hands have been tied by the Government. They can see that this government is not interested in ensuring that workers and communities get their fair share. [The Tories](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/scottish-conservative-party) are considering measures which could allow employers to sue unions and sack workers if they did not provide a certain level of service. While the Government – which does not employ us – says it’s up to the companies to negotiate with us." "Instead of silly posturing and game playing, he should step up to the plate, act as a leader and start negotiating to resolve the crises his government has created.

'Shaun Of The Dead' star Simon Pegg took delivered his verdict on the PM's new education initiative, calling him an "unmandated prick".

Sunak elaborated by saying that he wanted people to have the skills they needed “to feel confident” with finances and things like mortgage deals. The Prime Minister unveiled his plans to make maths a compulsory subject for all schoolchildren yesterday. Calling Sunak a “prick” and a “tosser”, Pegg urged his followers and the public to get “rid” of the Conservative PM and the Tory Government at the next general election. Fuck you Rishi Sunak and fuck the Tories [SIC]!” What about that?” Fuck the Tories!

The Hot Fuzz star accused the PM of trying to make a "f***ing drone army of data-entering robots" at the expense of arts and humanities.

And fuck the Tories.” Growing more irritated, the Hot Fuzz star concluded: “Fuck the Tories. “But no,” he continued. What a tosser.” “What about the kids who don’t want to do Maths? What about that?

The actor said: "So Rishi Sunak, our unmandated, unelected prime minister has decided that it should be compulsory for children to learn maths up until the age ...

He finished off by saying: "F**k the Tories, get rid of them, please! Iconic take from Simon Pegg. [January 5, 2023] "What a p***k. I'm 32 and I can't even read the time on an analogue clock—that's how bad I am at maths!—but I'm still a functioning adult. What about that?"

The former Countdown star was left questioning whether the PM lives in a "parallel universe" following his speech earlier this week.

“People are suffering,” she told presenter Nick Ferrari. The former “You don’t need to teach to an exam all the time because, sadly, teachers and schools have to keep doing this. “Let’s just take a practical view and come up with something you don’t teach to the test, you can do it online, re-do it online, where you have a little video lesson and then you have a little test after so it’s like micro-tests every day,” she suggested. [Countdown](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/countdown/) star – who describes herself as “politically independent” – questioned whether the PM is living in a “parallel universe”. [Carol Vorderman](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/carol-vorderman/) has hit out at prime minister [Rishi Sunak](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/rishi-sunak/) following [his proposed plans](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/rishi-sunak-maths-until-18_uk_63b4919ae4b0d6f0b9f64369) to make studying Maths until the age of 18 mandatory in Britain.

The BMA has warned that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is showing a 'baffling lack of urgency' when it comes to restoring the GP workforce.

‘Mr Sunak said he wants to be held accountable, and we are happy to oblige. We’ll be able to give the care that our patients need and deserve.’ Professor Banfield added: ‘He mentioned the upcoming workforce strategy sometime “early this year” as if it is something we can afford to wait for. [an urgent injection of funding from the Government to ease pressures,](https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/workload/doctor-leaders-call-for-immediate-action-to-relieve-nhs-pressures/) as Doctors Association UK revealed [GPs are being forced to drive patients to hospitals amid ambulance delays.](https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/breaking-news/mps-urged-to-return-to-parliament-as-gps-driving-patients-to-hospital/) ‘If we can retain the exhausted staff we have and recruit to the thousands of vacancies by paying staff the wages they deserve, we’ll be able to start making headway on the need for care from both hospitals and GP practices,’ Professor Banfield said. [speech](https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-on-making-2023-the-first-year-of-a-new-and-better-future-4-january-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=4d44492b-a513-4acb-802e-6269fa8162ca&utm_content=immediately) setting out priorities for the year ahead yesterday, Mr Sunak [failed to mention general practice](https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/politics/prime-minister-sets-out-cutting-nhs-waiting-lists-as-key-priority-for-2023/) but he said an NHS workforce strategy would be published ‘early this year’.

The UK government will unveil legislation in the coming weeks to set minimum service levels in essential sectors, while inviting trade unions in for new ...