No New Major Policy or Spending Commitments Before Starmer Steps Down, Downing Street Says
The UK government will not introduce any new major policy initiatives or significant spending commitments before Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves office, according to a spokesperson for 10 Downing Street
No New Major Policy or Spending Commitments Before Starmer Steps Down, Downing Street Says
The UK government will not introduce any new major policy initiatives or significant spending commitments before Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves office, according to a spokesperson for 10 Downing Street.
Speaking at a regular briefing on Tuesday, the spokesperson said Starmer had agreed that no major new policies or spending pledges would be launched during the transition period before a successor takes over.
However, the restriction does not apply to the government’s Defence Investment Plan (DIP). The spokesperson indicated that the plan is regarded as an existing policy already well advanced, rather than a new initiative, and therefore its development will continue.
Downing Street also stressed that Starmer remains prime minister until he formally recommends a successor to His Majesty the King, meaning the normal business of government will continue throughout the transition. Ministers will remain in their posts and carry out their usual responsibilities.
To ensure continuity, Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo has issued guidance to department heads outlining how the civil service should operate during the interim period. The guidance follows established precedent for leadership transitions within government.
The spokesperson reiterated that while no new major policy or spending commitments will be initiated, government work that is already underway or has received collective ministerial approval will proceed as planned.
When asked whether the Defence Investment Plan should be considered a new spending commitment, the spokesperson referred to Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy’s statement that the plan is expected to be published before the NATO summit.
Although the Defence Investment Plan has not yet been officially released, Starmer’s recent comments following John Healey’s resignation suggested that, while newly appointed Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis will be consulted on the final document, the overall spending framework has effectively already been settled.
