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LONDON (AP) — United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer is receiving accolades for his initiatives aimed at bolstering international support for Ukraine, especially as Donald Trump‘s economic and foreign policies cause global upheaval. Starmer aims to leverage this international momentum to address domestic challenges facing the UK.
In response to a flagging economy, Starmer unveiled plans on Thursday to reform Britain’s civil service, government operations, and healthcare system, aiming to enhance the efficiency of what he describes as a “flabby” state.
His proposals have sparked concern among trade unions and some legislators within his own party, who worry that the intended “restructuring of the state” may lead to significant job reductions and cuts to public spending.
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Starmer interconnected international and domestic agendas by referencing “national security” and “national renewal” during his speech to employees at a pharmaceutical firm in northern England on Thursday.
He remarked that the British state is at its weakest, “overstretched, unfocused, trying to do too much, doing it poorly, and failing to provide the security that citizens require.”
Since his landslide election victory in July that ended over a decade of Conservative governance, Starmer’s Labour party has seen its popularity wane in polls, particularly as public services struggle to meet increasing demands and the economy continues to stagnate.
Recently, the government announced plans to increase defense expenditures from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP by the year 2027, a move that is expected to require billions of additional funding. This development raises the likelihood that tax raises or spending reductions will be included in the upcoming spring budget scheduled for March 26.
Part of the financial savings may be sourced from welfare reforms. The government anticipates that modifications to benefits, set to be detailed next week, will promote employment. However, critics from anti-poverty organizations and advocates for individuals with disabilities fear these changes will further disadvantage many already struggling.
Starmer also announced intentions to reduce regulatory burdens and eliminate what he described as “the thicket of red tape” that hinders the development of new housing and infrastructure projects, along with plans to increase the use of artificial intelligence, aiming for one in every ten civil servants to occupy tech or digital roles within five years.
In a surprising decision, Starmer disbanded NHS England, the independent body responsible for overseeing public healthcare for England’s 56 million residents. He argued that this would streamline operations and enhance efficiency, albeit likely resulting in job losses.
The media has referred to Starmer’s initiatives as “Project Chainsaw,” a moniker reminiscent of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) associated with Elon Musk. Starmer’s team dismissed this characterization, labeling it as “juvenile.”
Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union, has called on the government to steer clear of the provocative language and methods seen in the United States, emphasizing the need to position reforms as enhancements rather than threats to the civil service.
Starmer is set to engage once more in international discussions as uncertainties remain regarding Ukraine, particularly as Washington pushes for an end to the conflict. His diplomatic efforts, conducted in collaboration with French President Emmanuel Macron, focus on creating a “coalition of the willing” aimed at achieving a ceasefire while simultaneously convincing Trump to continue supporting Kyiv.
On Saturday, Starmer will host a conference call with leaders from approximately 25 nations to further develop these plans.
He asserted on Thursday that the destinies of both Ukraine and Britain are inseparable.
“If we do not achieve a just and lasting peace, the insecurity we have already experienced will persist, leading to increased costs, inflation, and an extended cost-of-living crisis,” he stated.
Source
www.yahoo.com