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What are Theresa May’s policy priorities as Parliament returns?

Emma Norris looks at how domestic policy priorities are shaping up and what May’s government needs to focus on first

The Government has been relatively quiet during the parliamentary recess, but as a new term begins today, Emma Norris looks at how domestic policy priorities are shaping up and what May’s government needs to focus on first.

What progress has been made over the summer? Since the last instalment of our series on what is happening to the domestic agenda, and although Parliament has not been sitting, there has been some movement on key priorities:

  • The renewal of Trident looks set to go ahead following a Commons vote in which a majority of 355 MPs voted to proceed.
  • Despite speculation that Universal Credit might be cancelled, it has instead been given the go-ahead, albeit with the timetable for roll-out lengthened by a year.
  • And the long-awaited Childhood Obesity Strategy has finally been published (even if its content met with disappointment from some quarters).

New delays and cancellations have been announced in some areas:

  • The implementation of the National Funding Formula – which aims to create a fairer funding system for schools – has been delayed until 2018/19.
  • Michael Gove’s plans for problem-solving courts have seemingly been abandoned by his successor Liz Truss; there is no news about the fate of the rest of the courts and prisons reform agenda.
  • The Government also surprised many with its 11th-hour announcement that it would review the decision on Hinkley Point C, after EDF gave the project a long-awaited green light. Although this review introduces a further delay, we have argued that it presents opportunities, not least to ensure an achievable timetable is set out (a common failing in government major projects) and to reconsider subsidy arrangements, which in changed economic circumstances look like poor value.

And as Parliament returns, what are the domestic priorities for government? The number of issues that remain unresolved stands out. Close to 50% of the policies we have picked out are currently facing an uncertain future or awaiting decisions. After decades of prevarication, there has been briefing that a decision is imminent on where to expand airport capacity in the South East. But other areas have less clarity. Devolution deals – the priority of former Chancellor George Osborne – have been left hanging. It is now a year since 38 areas submitted devolution deal bids to HM Treasury; we have seen eight deals announced so far, but none since March. Certainty is desperately needed about what the process will be going forward.

This government is not just delivering Brexit and an existing domestic agenda though – new ministers have new priorities. May and Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, have indicated that creating a new and comprehensive industrial strategy will be high up their list. May has also emphasised her commitment to social mobility – highlighting the ‘burning injustice’ of social inequality in her first speech outside Downing Street. But every Prime Minister for the last 20 years has wanted to make progress on social mobility – or ‘life chances’, as Cameron called it. If May is to do what others have struggled to, she will need to get going quickly. Issues like social mobility require years of careful policy work, coalition building and implementation to make progress – there is no time to lose.

In addition to all this, there are also potential crises that could sap time and effort. The extreme pressures on NHS funding could blow up – particularly given May’s commitment to continue implementing spending cuts coupled with a commitment to avoid tax increases. Overall, the Government’s to-do list looks full and extremely challenging at a time when Brexit will be taking up a lot of attention and public spending cuts will continue to bite. If May wants her government to be defined by more than managing Brexit, she will need to grip this early on – prioritising where to invest her time and using government machinery and ministerial colleagues wisely to steer progress. Addressing some of the most pressing domestic challenges should be a top priority.

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