Health Secretary Wes Streeting has acknowledged that the government should strive to 'get it right first time', following a series of policy U-turns that have drawn criticism. Speaking at the Institute for Government conference in London, Streeting defended the government's willingness to change course, describing feedback as the 'breakfast of champions'.
However, he conceded that the government's 'new year's resolution' for 2026 should be to avoid initial errors. The comments come after The Independent revealed that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to reverse plans to scrap business-rate relief for the hospitality industry, following backlash from pubs. This is the latest in a string of U-turns, including welfare reforms, inheritance tax on farms, winter fuel payments, and income tax rises.
Streeting also warned against an 'excuses culture' that he said harms the centre-left. He argued that telling the public that nothing can work undermines trust and gives ammunition to the right. On the NHS, he acknowledged progress but admitted that patients are still being treated in corridors, falling short of his expectations.
He described the British state as a 'shopping trolley with a slightly wonky front wheel' that needs steering in the right direction. Streeting emphasised the need for reform, noting that people are paying more in tax but receiving poorer services. He concluded that the centre-left must demonstrate its ability to improve the state's performance.
