As we approach the next election, health will remain a crucial battleground. It’s one of the most important issues facing voters, and any political party putting themselves up for election without a clear plan to deliver the health services people want to see is unlikely to win.

This week, Leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting unveiled their ‘NHS mission’. It’s a key battleground that undoubtedly commands the public’s attention but its success is also vital to the social and economic recovery of the country.

“Are you thinking what we’re thinking?”. In the 2005 General Election that was the question that Conservative leader Michael Howard asked voters in posters on billboards around the country.

This week I was delighted to welcome Labour’s Shadow Minister for Business and Industry, Bill Esterson MP, to a Purpose Coalition roundtable with senior representatives from leading business members of the Coalition, including Travelodge’s Chief People Officer Hannah Thompson, UK Power Networks’ Director of HR Andrew Pace, and Head of Government Relations at Pearson Education Daniel Pedley.

Dame Caroline served as Minister for Women and Equalities, working with Purpose Coalition Chair Rt Hon Justine Greening to implement Gender Pay Gap reporting regulations which came into force in April 2017. She also previously served as Minister at the Department for Health, and, most recently, as Minister of State for Digital and Culture. 

Labour’s Shadow Minister for Business and Industry, Bill Esterson MP, has joined leading Purpose Coalition businesses for a roundtable to discuss the party’s approach to engaging with the business community, the importance of social mobility, and how the next Labour government can learn next practice from business. 

Matthew McPherson reviews what might come from a Labour reshuffle, and sets out why Keir Starmer needs a punchier front bench with ‘more Wes Streeting’s’ to take his message to the country.

As prime minister, Rishi Sunak has had some success in steadying the ship after the disastrous mini-budget of his predecessor, Liz Truss. But it’s not going to be enough. Running Britain isn’t the same as leading it. And to lead Britain over the next 12 months, the Conservative party will need to win the battle of ideas and set out a compelling vision of how to deliver them.

While political commentary on local election results is always caveated with a warning against extrapolating them to predict general election outcomes, it doesn’t stop numerous column inches being published about what they mean for the prospects of the main political parties.

A major new Purpose Coalition advocacy campaign was launched today by Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting MP, alongside former Health Ministers Rt Hon Dame Caroline Dineage MP, Rt Hon Anne Milton, and former Member of Sir Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet Nick Forbes CBE.

Policy and Public Affairs Director Matthew McPherson sets out why Labour needs to use its newfound local power to show the country how it would govern Britain.

On the face of it, the local election results are a resounding success for Labour and dreadful for the Tories.

There has been much commentary, and some wringing of hands, this week on Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that the Labour Party would be dropping its plans to scrap tuition fees in the light of the country’s changed economic circumstances.

One of the biggest challenges as a Secretary of State is juggling the competing priorities on your time - policy development and delivery, strategy, outreach to wider stakeholders and, of course, your local role as a Member of Parliament. It’s almost impossible to overstate just how many requests for meetings ministers receive.

Senior Treasury Minister and Member of Parliament for Louth and Horncastle, Victoria Atkins MP has joined Purpose Coalition leaders Tony Simpson of Sodexo, Lynda McVay of Leonardo and Sandhya Sabapathy of The Adecco Group for a panel discussion with Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of the Purpose Coalition

The Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression at the Department for Work and Pensions, Mims Davies MP, has today joined leading Purpose Coalition Members including Sodexo, the University of Southampton, Rolls Royce and Leonardo for a roundtable to share best private-sector practice with government, and discuss youth hubs, improving opportunities for those with key skills, prison leavers and more.

Leading Britain’s newest Department - established less than three months ago - and a personal mission of the PM will be no easy task, but Chloe Smith brings huge experience and is a well made appointment.

A new campaign was launched today that will shine a spotlight on the vital role universities play in improving standards in schools and driving economic growth in their local areas.

One of the best parts of campaigning with the Purpose Coalition on social mobility is the young people I get to meet studying at our universities. It’s inspiring to learn about their plans for the future and their hopes and aspirations.

Since the invasion of Ukraine over a year ago, there has been an increased focus on defence capabilities and defence spending.