How the Labour General Election win will affect you - 11 big changes in store

The UK has a new leader as Keir Starmer stepped up as the nation's 58th Prime Minister yesterday (July 5), marking only the sixth time a Labour figure has taken the helm at Downing Street. He has pledged to spearhead a "decade of national renewal" and aims to maintain leadership for the coming 10 years.

The spotlight is now firmly on Mr Starmer to transform his ambitious promises into tangible outcomes. In a recent interview with The Mirror, he did not dismiss the possibility of implementing some bold policies early in his tenure.

There is also talk of curtailing MPs' summer recess to accelerate legislative action. An ambitious agenda awaits immediate action, aiming to launch a significant housing initiative, bring railways under public ownership, increase the number of teachers and community police officers, and address the NHS backlog, reports Yorkshire Live.

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Let's explore the key ways this election result will affect you.

1. Fixing the NHS and dealing with backlog

Addressing the massive NHS backlog stands as the linchpin of Labour's manifesto, having burgeoned to over 7.5 million cases as of March. The party intends to provide an extra 40,000 appointments in England each week during evenings and weekends.

To back these schemes financially, they plan to plug tax loopholes that non-domiciled residents utilise, along with ramping up efforts to combat tax evasion. Additionally, the manifesto includes a promise to double the number of NHS scanners to speed up cancer diagnoses - a commitment pegged at £250 million.

Labour has also pledged to tackle the dental crisis that has led individuals to resort to self-extraction of teeth. The party's manifesto includes a commitment to hire an additional 8,500 mental health staff to expedite appointment times.

2. Thousands more teachers in schools shake-up

Labour has committed to hiring a substantial 6,500 teachers, funded by imposing VAT on private school fees. The Government plans to establish free breakfast clubs in primary schools and create 3,000 school-based nurseries.

Mr Starmer also made a promise in the Labour manifesto to address teacher recruitment and retention. This will be achieved by reinstating the School Support Staff Negotiating Body.

Additional measures proposed by Labour include establishing a register for home-schooled children and putting an end to single-word Ofsted judgements.

3. Dealing with housing crisis and protecting renters

The Labour manifesto outlines several strategies aimed at resolving the housing crisis. These include comprehensive changes to planning laws which the party claims will result in 1.5 million homes.

In addition, the party has promised to finally abolish Section 21 'no fault' evictions - a move the Tories had pledged but failed to implement. Mandatory housing targets, long resisted by the Tories despite severe shortages, are also forthcoming.

Furthermore, Labour has pledged to introduce a permanent mortgage guarantee scheme to assist first-time buyers. The stamp duty surcharge for non-UK residents is set to increase, with the additional funds being used to employ more planning officers.

4. Sweeping changes to social care

In response to calls for an overhaul of the UK's flawed care system, Mr Starmer has committed to creating a new National Care Service to ensure consistent care provision. He also plans to introduce a groundbreaking pay commitment to tackle retention issues within the sector.

For the first time, collective bargaining will be implemented. Labour also intends to guarantee the rights of individuals in care homes to see their families.

5. Labour's promises on tax and pensions

Throughout the campaign, Rishi Sunak and his team have warned of potential tax increases under a Labour government. However, the party has vowed not to raise VAT, National Insurance and Income Tax.

They have also committed to capping corporation tax at the current rate of 25 per cent. Changes will be made to the amount paid by non-dom residents, with loopholes benefiting the super-rich being used to fund NHS reforms.

Labour's manifesto also includes a promise to maintain the triple lock state pension.

6. New protections for workers

A new Labour Government has ambitious plans to enhance workers' rights. The manifesto pledges to prohibit zero hours contracts and put an end to unethical fire and rehire practices.

Labour's proposals also encompass the introduction of parental leave, sick pay and protections against unfair dismissal from the first day of employment. They also plan to ensure that the Independent Low Pay Commission takes into account the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Additionally, Keir Starmer has pledged to eliminate discretionary age bands in the rules governing minimum wage.

7. 13,000 neighbourhood police and knife crime crackdown

One of the most visible changes will be the deployment of an additional 13,000 neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs, a move Labour claims will reverse the damage inflicted under the Tories. A long-awaited ban on ninja swords will be implemented, along with a new offence targeting the exploitation of children by gangs.

Labour has committed to reducing violence against women and girls by half within ten years. Domestic abuse advisors will be stationed in every 999 call centre, and each police force will have a specialist rape unit.

Assaulting shop workers will be recognised as a specific crime, and Labour has promised to address shoplifting by reversing the relaxation of laws which currently mean thefts under £200 are rarely investigated.

8. Reform of football governance

Labour has pledged to instigate a revamp of football governance and safeguard the rights of fans. They have stated their intention to be the government that introduces a new Football Governance Bill, which fell through when Mr Sunak called the election.

Shadow Sports Secretary, Thangam Debbonaire, who lost her seat last month, pledged to prevent a scenario like the 2019 Bury FC collapse and bring fairness to the game. Addressing reporters, she stated: "We don't want another Bury. We don't want another situation like Scunthorpe where they pretty much lost their ground."

Also discussed were efforts to establish a new regulator, and adding strength to suitability tests for club owners and directors under her party's watch. Fan protection was highlighted especially in terms of preserving their right to voice opinions about their club's management and preventing the rise of breakaway leagues.

9. Ban on new petrol cars within years

A key highlight in Labour's manifesto is the pledge to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, an ambition that was initially entertained by the Conservatives until Mr Sunak extended the date to 2035. The ban aims to encourage a switch to electric vehicles but would not require scrapping current cars, thereby leaving the second-hand market intact.

10. Labour's climate and energy plans

Moreover, much interest will be on Mr Starmer as he unveils Labour's plan for the state-run Great British Energy. The party promises to curb energy bills and hinder foreign powers like Vladimir Putin from manipulating the energy market.

Jobs creation in the green energy sector is also touted, with a proposed National Wealth Fund to support such initiatives. Further environmental commitments include doubling the production of onshore wind, tripling solar power, and quadrupling offshore wind over the next decade.

Mr Starmer has pledged to place underperforming water companies into special measures as part of a strategy to address the scandal of sewage in rivers and lakes.

11. Tackling net migration and scrapping Rwanda chaos

A significant shift will be the cessation of taxpayers' millions being funnelled to the Rwandan government. The contentious deportation plan, which three consecutive Tory Prime Ministers failed to implement, will be abandoned under Labour.

Labour has committed to reducing net migration, which was recorded at 685,000 last year. However, Mr Starmer has not specified the target figure for this reduction.

Companies found guilty of violating employment law will be prohibited from recruiting overseas. Labour promises to establish a new returns and enforcement unit, staffed by 1,000 personnel, to expedite removals.

To combat the issue of small boat crossings, a new Cross-Border Police Unit will be established to tackle criminal gangs involved in people smuggling.