Labour leader Keir Starmer's key policy pledges on the National Health Service and housing have produced a mixed record, according to data analysis. While waiting lists have fallen from their peak, the target to build 300,000 new homes per year remains elusive.
NHS waiting lists: progress but not on track
Starmer promised to bring down NHS waiting lists, which soared under the Conservatives. Data shows that the total waiting list in England peaked at 7.77 million in September 2023 but has since fallen to 7.54 million by April 2026. However, the number of people waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment has increased, and the government's target to eliminate all waits over 18 weeks by March 2026 has been missed.
According to the Nuffield Trust, waiting list reductions have been slower than anticipated. Chief executive Dr. Jennifer Dixon said: "While any reduction is welcome, the pace is too slow to meet the government's ambitions. The NHS is still under immense pressure from demand."
Housing: building targets far off
Starmer's pledge to build 300,000 new homes annually by the mid-2020s has fallen short. In 2025, only 210,000 new homes were completed in England, well below the target. The government has blamed planning delays and a shortage of construction workers. Housing charity Shelter noted that affordable home completions have also declined.
Polly Neate, Shelter's chief executive, said: "The government is failing to deliver the homes people desperately need. The gap between rhetoric and reality is widening."
Other key pledges: mixed results
On child poverty, Starmer's commitment to reduce the number of children in relative poverty has seen limited progress. The child poverty rate stood at 29% in 2024/25, down just 1 percentage point from 2020. On crime, recorded knife crime offences have risen 12% since 2023, despite a pledge to halve serious violence.
However, on the economy, GDP growth has averaged 1.8% since Starmer took office, slightly above the 1.5% forecast. Unemployment remains at a historic low of 3.9%.
Analysis: a record of cautious progress
Overall, Starmer's record shows incremental gains on some fronts but significant shortfalls on flagship promises. The data suggests that while the government has stabilized some areas, transformational change remains elusive. Political analysts say the mixed record could undermine Labour's message of competence ahead of the next election.
