Streeting: Labour must start getting it right first time

Wes Streeting has admitted the government should try to “get it right first time”, amid criticism prompted by a series of recent U-turns.

- ATHENA STAVROU

The health secretary defended the government’s record on policy climbdowns, insisting feedback was the “breakfast of champions”. However, when asked whether U-turns were impeding progress, Mr Streeting said the government’s “new year’s resolution” should be to avoid getting it wrong in the first place.

It comes after The Independent revealed Rachel Reeves is set to U-turn on plans to scrap business-rate relief for the hospitality industry, following backlash from pubs across the country. And last night it was reported that Labour had dropped a key part of its digital ID scheme.

Speaking during an appearance at the annual Institute for Government conference in central London, Mr Streeting told delegates: “Feedback is the breakfast of champions. We love to hear it and if people think we’re getting it wrong - and we think that they’re right - far better to do the right thing rather than to spare one’s political blushes.”

He added: “In the NHS, we have an initiative called GIRFT - ‘get it right first time’. That should be our new year’s resolution for 2026 - let’s try and get it right first time.”