PM: Government ‘turning progress into results for working people’

Keir Starmer has set out how the government is delivering real progress now while rebuilding Britain’s foundations for the future. But does anyone believe him?

  •  PM says “our plan is working” as government delivers results on costs, migration control and growth 
  • Net migration down sharply to its lowest since 2021, inflation down faster than expected to 2.8%, and UK the fastest-growing economy in the G7 in the first quarter of the year  
  • “Great British Summer Savings” to help families afford more time together this summer 

The Prime Minister has set out how the government is delivering real progress now while rebuilding Britain’s foundations for the future.  

Recent figures show the plan is working: 

  • Net migration has fallen by almost three quarters to its lowest level since 2021. 
  • Inflation has dropped faster than expected to 2.8%. 
  • The UK is the fastest growing economy in the G7, with growth beating expectations at 0.6% in the first quarter. 

Together, this progress is strengthening the UK’s resilience in an uncertain world – easing immediate pressures on families while putting the economy on a more stable footing for the long term. 

That progress is being felt more widely across the country, as the government rebuilds the public services working people rely on: 

  • Homicide is at its lowest levels since the 1970s, knife crime is down by 10%, and we have taken more than 63,000 knives off our streets. 
  • NHS waiting lists are at their lowest level for three and a half years, with the largest single month performance improvement in 17 years.
  • There are 4,000 additional teachers across secondary schools, special schools and further education. 

With families still feeling the squeeze – and global instability continuing to drive uncertainty – the government is going further to help households with the cost of living, so people can enjoy the everyday moments that make life better. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We now have the fastest growing economy in the G7, net migration has fallen, and NHS waiting lists are at their lowest level in three and a half years.  

“Our plan is working. And as summer begins, we are going further to bring down the cost of living and make life easier for families, so they have more room to enjoy it. 

“This government will keep pushing forward to deliver the change the country voted for.” 

Building on that progress, the Prime Minister and Chancellor have acted to ease pressure on families, announcing further cost of living support including VAT cuts on hospitality, free bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 in England throughout August, and targeted tariff reductions to bring down the price of everyday essentials. Together, these measures will help families go further while supporting high streets and local businesses. 

That action is being underpinned by growing economic strength. GDP has increased every quarter since 2024, forecasts have been exceeded in the first quarter of this year, and the IMF has upgraded the UK’s growth outlook – all clear signs that economic stability is returning and resilience is being rebuilt. 

The government is also driving that resilience by backing businesses to invest and expand, including a landmark trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council – the first such deal by a G7 country – and new legislation to give small firms stronger protection from late payments and the certainty they need to grow.

This comes alongside action to make work pay and back working people – with the National Living Wage increased, 30 hours of funded childcare delivering savings of up to £8,000 per child each year, and stronger rights for 11 million renters through the Renters’ Rights Act. 

At the same time, the government is restoring control and strengthening security – closing more than half of asylum hotels and taking further action to tackle the criminality that undermines communities. 

Alongside this, the government is rewiring the state to support delivery, with a delivery team in every department, led by a senior civil servant, and performance incentives strengthened so that senior leaders are rewarded for driving results. 

This week, the government confirmed senior civil servants’ pay rises will be directly linked to performance to reward the doers, not the talkers. As a package, this is the biggest change to senior civil pay in decades. 

This is a government taking a different path – not returning to a status quo that failed working people, but building a stronger, fairer Britain. 

From lowering costs and backing families to restoring control and driving growth, the government is delivering the security and stability people expect – and laying the foundations for long-term change.

SECURITY? Peter Mandelson scandal

STABILITY? Internal civil war forcing unneccesary by-election

Renewal and re-engagement: A Parliament for all of Scotland

Measures to make the Scottish Parliament more efficient, topical and effective are to be put into place by Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson MSP. 

The changes, which the Parliament was informed of today, will be part of what the Presiding Officer calls “renewal and re-engagement”.

There will now be two First Minister’s Questions a week, with 30 minutes on a Tuesday for backbenchers and 30 minutes on a Thursday from Party Leaders.

MSPs were informed of the changes by the Presiding Officer during a meeting of the Parliament on Thursday. 

The Presiding Officer also informed Members that:

  • Time taken for interventions will be added, to protect the time of speakers who most engage
  • Labour and Reform will alternate each week in leading off on questions in First Minister’s Questions, debates and statements
  • Chamber Business will run from 2pm to 5.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to provide more time for scrutiny in the Chamber
  • Chamber Business will run from 1.30pm to 5pm on Thursdays to accommodate more time for committee business in the morning
  • Questions to the First Minister will no longer be published in advance
  • There will be 18 general questions a week, 10 more than previously
  • Members will have to identify relevant procedure when making points of order
  • Events and cross-party groups will be permitted during Members’ debates to prevent delays to visitors 

Informing MSPs of the changes, the Presiding Officer, Kenneth Gibson MSP, said: “Parliament needs renewal and re-engagement – with independent, innovative and open-minded leadership. That’s of critical importance and exactly what I’ll provide. 

“We need to de-clutter and simplify how we work, make Parliament more efficient, topical end effective for those we represent. 

“The collegiate working anticipated in the 90s, prior to Devolution, has not fully transpired. The status quo is not an option – and I’m keen to push at the boundaries of what’s possible within my remit.” 

Watch Presiding Officer’s Proposals for the Parliamentary Week 

Man arrested following major diamorphine recovery

Drugs worth an estimated £325,000 have been recovered following the search of a property in South Edinburgh.

Officers searched an address in the West Powburn area around 6.25pm on Thursday, 21 May, 2026 and discovered a large quantity of Diamorphine.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection and enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Sergeant Callum Mill said: “Drugs cause misery in communities and we work tirelessly every day to prevent them being circulated on our streets.

“We are committed to addressing the concerns of local people and information from the public is vital to helping us tackle this type of harmful criminality.

“If you have information or concerns about drugs activity in your area please contact Police Scotland on 101 or speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

LifeCare Edinburgh launches new free watercolour class for unpaid carers in Portobello

LifeCare Edinburgh has announced the launch of a new weekly watercolour class for unpaid carers in Portobello, offering much-needed opportunities for relaxation, creativity and social connection.

Unpaid carers—those who support family members, friends or neighbours without pay—play a vital role in communities but often face significant challenges, including social isolation, stress, and limited time for themselves. Access to regular short breaks and supportive activities can have a profound impact on their wellbeing.

This new class aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive space where carers can take time out, learn new skills, and connect with others who understand their experiences. No previous art experience is required, and all materials are provided.

Sarah Duckmanton, Community Activities Lead at LifeCare Edinburgh, said: Caring for someone can be an honour—a deeply meaningful and loving thing to do—but we also understand the toll it can take.

“That’s why we’re here to make sure unpaid carers have the chance to take a meaningful break, so they feel valued, recharged and better equipped to continue in their caring role.

“As part of that commitment, we’re continuing to grow our free support for carers by launching these activities in Portobello for the first time.

“We’ve been delivering day club support for people living with dementia in the area for many years, so it feels like a natural step to expand our carers programme here too. We know there are many carers who need time out, and we’re here to provide that opportunity.

“These groups are about so much more than the activity itself—they create space for people to relax, build connections, and feel supported. We’d encourage carers to get in touch and come along to give it a try.”

The new workshop builds on LifeCare’s wider programme of free health and wellbeing activities for unpaid carers, delivered from its fully accessible hub in Stockbridge. The programme includes a range of physical, creative and social sessions designed to support carers in maintaining their own health while continuing in their caring roles.

The Watercolour Workshop will take place every Monday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at 53 Milton Road East, Edinburgh (EH15 2NL).

The class is free to attend and is open to anyone who provides unpaid care for an adult.  Carers are also welcome to attend with the person they care for.

All activities are funded by the Short Breaks Fund.

To book a place or find out more, contact sarahduckmanton@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk  or visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/free-activities-for-unpaid-carers/ the full timetable of activities.

Grow a Row Workshop at Drumbrae Library Hub

MONDAY 1st JUNE from 6 – 7pm

We are delighted to share that Drumbrae Hub now has its very own Seed Library, in collaboration with Lauriston Farm. As part of this new project, we are offering free workshops for people to learn more about food growing and seed saving.

Our first workshop, Grow a Row, encourages the local community to dedicate a row, a pot, or a garden bed to growing seeds for our Seed Library. Hannah from Lauriston Farm will be visiting us to talk about the importance of seed saving and how to grow specifically for seed saving. The main focus of this workshop will be on pea and bean seeds, alongside a selection of flowers and herbs.

There will be seeds available to take home so you can get growing yourself. We will then meet again in late summer to learn how to gather and prepare these plants for seed saving, and hopefully restock the Seed Library with what the community has grown.

This session is suitable for adults, and you do not need a large garden to take part. Whether you have a small garden bed, a few pots, or even a balcony, there are plenty of ways to grow for seed saving in small spaces

Monday 1st June at 6pm

Free

Adult event, age 16+

#GoAllIn

#lauristonagroecologyfarm

#NationalYearOfReading

Letter: Support reading for blind people at your local library

Dear Editor, 

Here at The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), we’re gearing up for our biggest volunteering opportunities of the year so far.

This June, we’re asking people to take just an hour of their time to help make a vital difference for blind and partially sighted people in their local areas.

Reading and books are absolutely crucial to children with vision impairment and blind and partially sighted adults. Books in accessible formats like audio and large print help to open up a world of information and learning and open doors to the imagination which would otherwise remain hidden.

As RNIB’s Library Services Manager, I am writing to encourage you to take part by visiting your local library between 1-14 June to check what books are available for blind and partially sighted readers.

It only takes a few minutes to ask the library staff and find out whether their library shelves include large print, braille or audiobooks.

We’d then love you to share what you find with us using our quick online form, or by calling our Library Team.

This simple action will help RNIB build a far clearer picture of accessible library services across the UK and support our work to ensure everyone can enjoy reading in a format that works for them.

I would be grateful if readers who would like to take part could complete our quick form online at https://tinyurl.com/7xh99ppz, or if you are unable to do so online, contact our Library Team byy calling 0303 123 9999.

For this opportunity RNIB is working alongside The Big Help Out – a UK-wide event which runs from 5-8 June and sees millions of volunteers turn out to help community causes.

The first two weeks of June also marks Hi-Vis Fortnight – an event organised by charities Share The Vision and RNIB; this celebrates library services for blind and partially sighted people and highlights the importance of books in accessible formats.

By taking just a little time to support us, you will be helping improve access to vital reading resources for blind and partially sighted people in communities right across the country. Thank you!

Yours faithfully,

Lara Marshall
Library Services Manager, RNIB

University of Edinburgh Medical School: Keeping the Pledge!

Bringing you our fantastic final commitment in our new Scottish Government Social Impact Pledge!

Ruthanne Baxter and Cathy Southworth, Co-Leads of @edinburghmedicalschool 300 Community Connections, are here to share it with you:

⁠“We will undertake activities that ensure our local communities feel tangible positive impact of our celebration of 300 years of the Faculty of Medicine (EMS300) at the University of Edinburgh.” ⁠⁠

Find out more about how our marking of 300 years of Medicine will serve communities at https://www.communityscot.org.uk/…/ple…/edinburghuni2026

University of Edinburgh pledges to:

Challenge ourselves to increase the positive impact we make on our local community.

Screenshot 2021-01-25 at 10.28.27.png

We will do the following things that we don’t do at the moment to improve our social impact.

Signed by Peter Mathieson, Principal, February 2026

#EdMed300

#Medicine

#Edinburgh

#Community

Living Streets: Women Walk Out!

A mass #WalkOut is happening on Friday 29 May to mark National Walking Month in honour of the unique benefits of walking for women – will you join us?

Grab a friend and go for a stroll ‘just because’… 🌈

https://act.livingstreets.org.uk/page/190556/petition/1…

Free Haircuts at North Edinburgh Arts

WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 1 – 3pm

Free short hair cuts in North Edinburgh!

We’re hosting a free pop-up community barber session here at North Edinburgh Arts on Wednesday 27 May, 1–3pm, open to local residents in North Edinburgh and delivered by a professional barber.

Spaces are limited and booking is essential, so don’t miss out!

📞 To book, contact the Link Up team on 07493 876 130

📍 North Edinburgh Arts, 12C MacMillan Square, Edinburgh EH4 4AB