I wish you and your loved ones a very happy New Year

2024 was a year of change. Not sadly in the football, another agonisingly close shave for England, but change in politics with the election of this Labour government in July. And more importantly with the work of change that we've begun. The minimum wage raised by a record amount, wages up more broadly, returns of foreign national criminals up 20%, billions of pounds worth of new projects in clean British energy, making our country more secure, and £25 billion invested in our NHS, starting to cut waiting lists in your local hospital. Now I know there's still so much more to do and that for many people it's hard to think about the future when you spend all of your time fighting to get through the week. So I want to be clear, until you can look forward and believe in the promise and the prosperity of Britain again, then this government will fight for you. A fight for change that will define this year, next year, and indeed every waking hour of this government. We have a clear plan for change. 1.5 million new homes, restoring the dream of home ownership, children starting school ready to learn, a more secure energy system, waiting lists cut dramatically, immigration reduced, neighbourhood police tackling anti-social behaviour in every community, and more cash in your pocket wherever you live. That is what we will be focusing on. A year of rebuilding but also rediscovering the great nation that we are. A nation that gets things done no matter how hard or tough the circumstances. We'll have time to reflect on that this year. A chance with the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day to cherish the greatest victories of this country and the generation that achieved it. The 8th of May and the 15th of August will both be wonderful moments to come together and do that generation proud. But that victory, and indeed the peace and the prosperity that followed, all rested on the same foundation we must rebuild today. The security of working people. That is the purpose of this government. The goal of our plan for change and we will push it forward in 2025. So wherever and however you're celebrating tonight, on behalf of the government, happy new year. Here's to a year of changing Britain for the better.