“It was moving to see such perception from a child. And shocking to think that the vast majority of children growing up in poverty in Britain today come from working families.”
Ahead of a year which could define his time as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer reveals the words of a nine-year-old girl that made it clear why he must succeed.
Writing in the Mirror, Mr Starmer says 2026 can be the year hope returns to the nation.
And he recalls the moment a Scottish schoolgirl helped to open his eyes to the real struggle facing British families.
On a visit to Downing Street, she gave him a letter which said: “Scotland is one of the wealthiest countries on the planet yet one in three children in our country lives in poverty.”
She told the PM that poor children could be forced to wear clothes that don’t fit and risk being made fun of while struggling to afford school trips and other opportunities their better-off classmates enjoy.
Addressing Mr Starmer, she added: “You’re one of the most capable people to fix this terrible situation. Wouldn’t you love to look out your window and see happy, healthy children with clean clothes walking to school every day with their friends? Or would you like to see them tired and hungry every day?”
In his message to Mirror readers, Mr Starmer writes: “It was moving to see such perception from a child. And shocking to think that the vast majority of children growing up in poverty in Britain today come from working families.”
But he insisted the years of decline under the Tories could be reversed – and everyone could enjoy opportunity and pride once more.
He added: “There is a word for that we’ve forgotten in politics recently – hope.
“This is the year we can rediscover it.
“A year when the real Britain shines through more strongly. And we all start to look forward with confidence.”
His message comes after a turbulent year for Labour as the party battles to turn around flagging poll ratings and to see off threats from Reform UK and the resurgent Green Party.
And 2026 will have plenty of challenges as the PM seeks to defy critics of his leadership and avoid damaging losses at pivotal elections in Scotland, Wales and English councils in May.
Last year, the PM said he would wage “an all-out war on the cost of living” and vowed child poverty levels would start to fall.
This year more than half a million children will be lifted out of poverty when the two-child benefit limit is axed in April and free school meals are extended to all Universal Credit households in September.
The PM also promised people would have more money in their pockets thanks to freezes on fuel duty, prescription charges and rail fares, and increases to the minimum wage.
And households will see their energy bills cut by £150 a year on average from April due to the reduction of some green levies
Amid frustration from voters over the pace of change, Mr Starmer promised people would begin to see real improvements in their communities this year.
On the agenda will be rebuilding crumbling public services, getting a grip on illegal immigration and restoring pride to communities after years of Tory decline. The PM admits: “It was never going to be an overnight job.
“But we are getting Britain back on track. And each change shows something more important.
“That decline can be reversed. Opportunity and pride can be restored. And that when you think of the future, it is not silly to think that things can get easier and better for your family.”
Mr Starmer’s message comes after a turbulent year for Labour as it battles to fix the mess the Tories left behind, as well as some of the government’s own missteps since taking power.
The PM was forced to grapple with US President Donald Trump’s tariff chaos and conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as the wider threat from Russia.
He was also forced into U-turns on unpopular winter fuel and disability benefit cuts, and he watered down inheritance tax plans for farmers after facing huge opposition.
Economic turbulence meant Rachel Reeves had to come back for more tax rises in a Budget that was accidentally leaked by the Office for Budget Responsibility in chaotic scenes.
Mr Starmer was also forced to carry out a sweeping reshuffle of his Cabinet after Angela Rayner resigned for underpaying tax on her flat in Hove. Among the items at the top of the Prime Minister’s in-tray in 2026 will be the elections for more than 5,000 council seats and six mayors on May 7.
Last year’s local elections were big wins for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Ed Davey’s Liberal Democrats. With the Green Party polling well under Zack Polanski, Labour faces a fight on all fronts.
The PM is believed to be planning for a new King’s Speech in May to carve out a fresh path after the elections, with a range of new laws. Downing Street hopes that cost-of-living measures, minimum wage hikes and increases to the state pension coming into force in April will start to ease pressure on household budgets, and efforts to drive down NHS waiting lists will continue.
Mr Starmer was widely praised for his conduct on the world stage last year in standing by Ukraine, dealing with Mr Trump, and building closer relationships with our European partners after years of Brexit wars.
But the tension will continue in 2026 as the peace process for Ukraine grinds on and its allies attempt to convince the US President not to rush through a pro-Russia peace deal.
In the Middle East, the future of Gaza remains in the balance amid a fragile peace and a battle to persuade Israel to allow more aid into the enclave.
