SIR KEIR STARMER pledged a new focus on tackling the cost-of-living crisis today. 

The Prime Minister asserted that “we’re driving down all those things that cause people a lot of anxiety when they feel they can’t pay the bills.”

On a visit to a community centre in Reading, he said: “I always remind myself that for you and millions of people across this country, what matters more than anything is the cost of living.”

He added that “2026 is the year that we’re going to be turning a corner where – when we say we want national renewal of the country, and we do – it becomes a reality, and people begin to feel the difference in their pockets, in the ability to pay the bill.”

The Prime Minister said his own family had struggled to “make ends meet” when he was growing up and he understands that “every pound matters.”

He told residents that Labour had frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years, taken £150 off energy bills and – to applause from the audience – was expanding free childcare provision.

Many Labour MPs fear that voters are beyond reaching with such blandishments after 18 months of misjudgements and failure to deliver the promised change. It is not likely that the conspiracies against the Prime Minister stalking the Commons corridors will be stilled.

He then spoke with residents, including a child who had drawn a picture of him, and watched a group of children play table football, reminding them “no spinning,” which is unusual for a front-line politician.