Dear John xxxxxx,

As we head into the summer holidays and reflect back on the school year, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together so far through our Plan for Change.

Together, we’re building a future where children come first, making sure that all our children and young people have the best start in life. We’ve put our shoulder to the wheel to deliver 30 hours of government-funded childcare from September, saving parents up to £7,500 a year.  We’re opening a new wave of school-based nursery provision this autumn, and since April we’ve served over two million breakfasts as the first wave of our new free breakfast clubs, delivering better life chances for children and better work choices for parents. From next year, we’re lifting 100,000 children out of poverty with a huge expansion of free school meal eligibility.  

All our children deserve the opportunity to achieve and thrive, which is why we’ve been working on an ambitious review of the national curriculum and how it’s assessed, so that our children will be ready for life and ready for work, able to shape their future together. We’re fixing the foundations of our crumbling school buildings, with our long-term School Rebuilding Programme in place to ensure we build a generation of schools fit for tomorrow, including turning sunlight on school roofs into savings for school budgets. This Labour Government is determined to deliver for children and families up and down the country – breaking the unfair link between background and success.

But we’re under no illusion: there’s more to do, and with the support of members like you we are redoubling our efforts to give every child the best start in life.

I know that this work cannot be done without the hard work and dedication of so many working people – from childminders and nursery staff, through teachers, support staff, and school leaders to everyone who works in higher and further education. It’s been a privilege to see them in action right across the country this year, and as the term comes to a close I want to thank all of them for their brilliant work.

And for all our young people across the country who are about to receive their exam results, the very best of luck – I hope you are proud of all that you have achieved.

Bridget Phillipson MP
Secretary of State for Education

Best Start Family Hubs

Labour is building on the legacy of Sure Start, with up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs to be rolled out across the country. 

What does this mean? 

Labour’s Best Start Family Hubs will act as a one stop shop for parents seeking a range of support in their local area, such as difficulties with breastfeeding, housing issues or children’s early development and language. 

Key talking points 

• Labour’s Best Start Family Hubs will be rolled out in every local authority by April 2026.
• Backed by over £500 million, Hubs will provide wide-ranging help for families, such as parenting and early development.
• This lifeline of support is part of Labour’s strategy to ensure that all children get the very best start in life.

Under the system left by the Conservatives, one in four families with children under five cannot access local children’s centres or Family Hubs. 

“It’s the driving mission of this government to break the link between a child’s background and what they go on to achieve – our new Best Start Family Hubs will put the first building blocks of better life chances in place for more children. 

“I saw first-hand how initiatives like Sure Start helped level the playing field in my own community, transforming the lives of children by putting in place family support in the earliest years of life, and as part of our Plan for Change, we’re building on its legacy for the next generation of children.” 

Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education 

Labour launches Summer Campaign Pack on better jobs

Labour has launched a new, bumper Summer Campaign Pack to tell the story about what the government is doing to drive better jobs across the UK.  

This is a nationwide campaign to share what our Labour government is delivering for working people. 

Across the country members will be coming together with MPs, councillors and campaigners to demonstrate the difference a Labour government is making. 

Pulling together everything Labour is doing to invest in Britain's renewal, back British businesses and upgrade worker rights, the pack includes a toolkit for engagement and campaigning top tips.  

Key talking points 

• Labour in government is ending Tory austerity and delivering record investment in Britain's renewal. Our trade deals with the EU, India and the USA will boost the economy by at least £13.8 billion every year and create jobs, raise wages, and open up new markets for British businesses.
• We've launched a new modern Industrial Strategy slashing industrial energy prices by 25% for the carmakers, defence manufacturers and steelmakers that are the backbone of British manufacturing. This will support 7,000 businesses and more than 300,000 skilled jobs.
• We're making work pay by giving 3 million workers a minimum wage pay boost worth up to £1,400 a year and driving through the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.
• We're breaking down the barriers to opportunity with an unprecedented uplift in skills funding, worth £1.2 billion a year. 

Reform and the Tories opposed Labour’s Budget measures to fund the NHS, schools and public services. They oppose our investment in transport, housing and energy. They don’t back our trade deals. They want to see British workers’ rights slashed, not improved. 

“Only Labour is ending Tory austerity and has a plan for better jobs and a stronger Britain. This summer we need to tell the story together.” 

Ellie Reeves, Chair of the Labour Party 

NHS Waiting Lists

Across the country, NHS waiting list figures are down, with the first drop in the month of May for 17 years (outside of the pandemic). This progress shows that Labour’s Plan for Change is working, with waiting lists now cut to their lowest level in two years, down by over 260,000. 

What does this mean? 

Millions of people who have previously had to put their lives and livelihoods on hold are finally receiving the treatment they need and deserve. 

Key talking points 

• NHS waiting lists have fallen in May for the first time in 17 years – now down to their lowest level in two years.
• As Labour’s first step, we promised two million more NHS appointments in our first year. Not only was this delivered seven months early, this has now reached 4.6 million since last July – over double our target. Promise made, promise kept.
• Labour is delivering our Plan for Change to pick the NHS up off its knees and make it fit for the future.

The Tories have made it clear that they don’t back Labour’s extra investment in the NHS. We’ve delivered over 4 million extra appointments and cut waiting lists to their lowest in two years. None of that would have happened under the Conservatives. 

“NHS waiting lists have fallen in May for the first time in 17 years, dropping by more than 260,000 since we took office. This is not a coincidence – it is because this government has delivered on the Plan for Change and put in the work to finally get our NHS moving in the right direction. 

“But this recovery is only just beginning, and it is fragile. It is only with NHS staff and the government working together that we can rebuild our NHS so it is there for patients once again.” 

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care 

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas 

Labour is taking decisive action to clean up England’s waterways and will cut sewage pollution from water companies by half within five years. The Government is also abolishing Ofwat, and instead will establish a new, single, powerful regulator to cut pollution. 

What does this mean? 

A clear target to cut sewage pollution means our rivers, lakes and seas will be the cleanest since records began. A new regulator will end the complexity that gets in the way of delivering for customers, cutting pollution and protecting hardworking families from massive hikes in bills. 

Key talking points 

• Labour is committed to making our rivers the cleanest since records began.
• The Government is abolishing the regulator, Ofwat, in the biggest overhaul of water since privatisation. This will cut water pollution and protect families from massive bill hikes.
• Landmark legislation has already seen unfair bonuses banned for ten polluting water bosses this year and threatens prison sentences for law-breaking executives. 

Our rivers, lakes and seas are filled with record levels of pollution, and families have faced higher bills because the Tories turned a blind eye and allowed water companies to get away with it. 

“Families have watched their local rivers, coastlines and lakes suffer from record levels of pollution. 

“My pledge to you: the Government will halve sewage pollution from water companies by the end of the decade. 

“One of the largest infrastructure projects in England’s history will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.” 

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs  

Tackling people-smuggling gangs 

Through resetting our relationship with Europe, Labour is working with international partners to tackle vile people-smuggling gangs and secure our borders. 

What does this mean? 

People-smugglers profit from misery and put lives at risk. We’re working with Germany to close a legal loophole in their system to allow police to seize small boats being stored and transported in their country. And by working with France, we have agreed an unprecedented returns pilot to tackle illegal Channel crossings. 

This is on top of our work to go after the gang leaders and stop illegal working. 

Key talking points:

• Our pilot with France means that migrants arriving via small boat will be detained and returned to France for the first time.

• Labour is putting smuggling gangs out of business: we have introduced a world-first sanctions programme to freeze their assets and shut them off from the UK financial system.
• Our nationwide crackdown on illegal working means raids and arrests are up by 50%. And we are going further – delivery firms will bolster rider security checks to stop illegal working.
• Labour is restoring order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly. We’ve already returned more than 35,000 people with no right to be here – way up on the year before. 

The Conservatives offered nothing but expensive gimmicks, and Reform has no plan. Labour is taking real practical steps to tackle illegal migration, target the gangs, and ensure fairness for Brits – delivering where the Tories failed. 

“The new sanctions regime marks a decisive step in our fight against the criminal gangs who profit from human misery. It will allow us to target the assets and operations of people-smugglers wherever they operate, cutting off their funding and dismantling their networks piece by piece.  

“Through the Border Security Command and key partners like the National Crime Agency, we are strengthening our ties with other nations to tackle this global problem. 

“Together, we are sending a clear message that there is no hiding place for those who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk for profit.” 

Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for the Home Department 

Electric vehicle revolution

Labour is supercharging Britain’s electric vehicle revolution by making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. 

What does this mean? 

Drivers will benefit from a £63 million investment to support at-home charging and a £650 million grant that will slash electric car prices. Standing firmly on the side of drivers, Labour is breaking down barriers to electric vehicle ownership and cutting costs for families. 

Key talking points 

• Labour is firmly on the side of British drivers. As well as record investment to tackle potholes and freezing fuel duty, we are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle.
• Our investment will expand access to at-home charging and save families up to £3,750 when they upgrade or switch to an electric vehicle.
• In total, the Labour Government is investing £4.5 billion to turbocharge the switch to EVs, securing Britain’s position as a world-leader in electric vehicle adoption while helping to put more money in people’s pockets.
• The UK now has over 82,000 public charge points nationwide – with one added every 30 minutes – giving peace of mind to drivers that they will be able to charge conveniently at home, work or on longer journeys.   

“Labour is making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle. We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head on so that everyone - whether or not they have a driveway - can access the benefits of going electric. 

“Our investment is about more than just charging points – it’s about charging up Britain’s economy. I’m proud that through this boost, we are helping deliver cheaper bills for families, massive savings for the NHS to reinvest in patient care, and thousands of new green jobs. 

“This is what Labour’s Plan for Change mission to kickstart Britain’s economy looks like in practice. We’re not just boosting charging infrastructure. We’re building a fairer, cleaner future where every family can benefit from cheaper, greener transport, whilst creating thousands of good jobs across the country.” 

Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport 

Better Futures Fund

Labour is launching the Better Futures Fund – the biggest government-based fund of its kind in the world – to transform the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

What does this mean?

The new fund will help tackle challenges like school absence, addiction and reoffending, and give children the stability and opportunity they need to thrive.

Key talking points:

• Struggling and vulnerable families and children are set to benefit from a £500 million fund to break down barriers to opportunity for up to 200,000 children and young people.

• The fund will run for 10 years, with outcomes like safer housing and communities, better education opportunities, and caring support environments.

• Labour will partner with local communities, charities and philanthropists to raise a further £500 million, delivering on our Plan for Change.

“I got into politics to help children facing the toughest challenges. This fund will give hundreds of thousands of children, young people and their families a better chance. For too long, these children have been overlooked. Our Plan for Change will break down barriers to opportunity and give them the best start in life.”

Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer

Remembering Tom Sawyer

I am writing to you today in remembrance of Lord Tom Sawyer, former General Secretary of the Labour Party.

Tom served the Labour Party and Labour movement with distinction. As General Secretary, as a member of the National Executive Committee and as a trade unionist, he played a significant role in the transformation of our party from years in opposition before leading Labour through the 1997 landslide general election victory.

As our PM Keir Starmer has said, Tom’s place in our party’s history is assured for and his loss will be felt deeply by the many people who admired and loved him.

Tom’s legacy is the legacy of those great Labour governments that rebuilt Britain’s public services, lifted millions out of poverty and delivered change to the lives of people throughout his beloved North East of England and far beyond.

On behalf of the whole Labour party, I send my deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those who were close to him.

Hollie Ridley

General Secretary of the Labour Party