UK Government to focus on childcare, education, welfare and health

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer used his keynote speech at the 2025 Labour Conference to outline the UK Government's priorities, with a focus on childcare, education, welfare and health. The address set out both UK-wide ambitions and policies that will have a direct or indirect impact in Scotland. 

Starmer highlighted Labour’s plan to expand free childcare in England, offering 30 hours for all children aged nine months to four years. He described this as a way to reduce early inequality. While childcare is devolved in Scotland, additional funding through the Barnett formula could increase the resources available to the Scottish Government if Westminster directs more money into childcare in England. 

On education, Starmer announced the replacement of Tony Blair’s 50% university target with a broader ambition. Labour’s new goal is that two-thirds of young people will, by the age of 25, be in higher education, further education or an apprenticeship. To support this, £800 million will be invested in England’s education budget in 2026-27, generating a proportional uplift in Scotland’s block grant.  

On welfare, Starmer drew attention to free school meals expansion and signalled a review to the two-child benefit cap. You can read Children in Scotland’s response to the cap here. 

On health, Starmer announced plans for a new ‘NHS Online’ system in England, designed to expand access to services digitally. With the NHS devolved in Scotland, this would not directly alter services here, although funding consequentials may follow.  

For Scotland, the most immediate effects of the speech relate to welfare policy, where Westminster has direct control. Childcare, education and health remain devolved, though Scottish budgets could be influenced by new commitments in England. 

You can watch the full speech here