Starmer's premiership in six charts
BBC News 2026-06-22 13:15:05
Context: Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, announced his resignation outside Downing Street after losing the confidence of his MPs and key Cabinet members. He had been in office since July 2024, and BBC Verify has analyzed his record in key areas such as immigration, energy bills, and economic growth. This analysis comes as Starmer's premiership has faced significant challenges, including declining popularity and contentious policy decisions.
Key Facts
- Sir Keir Starmer's net popularity rating declined from minus 7 in August 2024 to minus 56 in the most recent polling, with 74% of respondents saying he was doing badly as prime minister.
- The UK economy grew by 2.3% between the second quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2026, outpacing most G7 nations, but forecasters expect this growth to slow down due to the energy shock from the US conflict with Iran.
- Under Starmer's premiership, over 200,000 Channel crossings have been recorded since 2018, with a 41% decrease in arrivals in 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, and net migration to the UK fell by 48% in 2025 compared to the previous year.
- Labour's manifesto pledge to reduce average household energy bills by over £300 has not been met, with the latest domestic energy price cap set at £1,862 for a typical household, an increase of £294 from the summer of 2024.
- The total working-age adult health and disability benefit bill is forecast to rise from £58.2bn in 2024-25 to £78.1bn in 2029-30, driven by an increase in Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and other welfare grants.