Keir Starmer’s “plan for change” is all talk, a new report by charity Carnegie has suggested. There has been no improvement in people’s overall wellbeing since Labour came to power. The collective wellbeing score stands at 62%. This has stagnated since 2023. Yet so far, the corporate media has failed to report on it. So, the Canary has.

Low faith in democracy under Keir Starmer

The extensive survey asked people questions on democratic, economic and social wellbeing and found a situation in the UK that needs improvement. The lowest score was for democracy, which people ranked at 41% for their ability to meaningfully impact their society. The statistic comes as a report from Autonomy showed that corporations that donated £47m to both Labour and the Conservatives since 2000 have received £60bn worth of public contracts since 2015.

It’s hard to describe this as anything other than a shocking finding that shows politicians from the two main parties are bought and paid for, with no regard for public duty. It’s an eye-watering return on investment for corporations that donate to politics. So it’s no wonder people’s faith in the democratic system is so low, as Carnegie has demonstrated.

Social wellbeing

The reported score for social wellbeing stands at 73%. We should aim much higher. The cultural scene is essential here. In 2023, 125 grassroots music venues either closed or stopped providing live music. That’s 13% of independent music venues that have finished in just one year. That affects UK culture and harms our social wellbeing.

It’s also worth noting that people’s social wellbeing is relative to their expectations under the longstanding neoliberal system. If people’s expectations were higher, the score would be lower, and we should strive for the best. Long working weeks and stagnant pay since 2008 have become the norm, with less time and money for socialising.

Overall wellbeing and the housing crisis

People’s stated overall wellbeing differs according to people’s housing situation. A person’s overall wellbeing stands at 52% for social tenants and 57% for those privately renting. Whereas, homeowners have a collective wellbeing of 65%.

This demonstrates that home ownership is a key driver of wellbeing and that people should have homes provided by the state at cost price through affordable monthly payments until they own the house outright. This would pop the housing bubble by treating homes as a human right, not an asset.

Carnegie’s findings also underscore that the Greens’ policy of increasing social home provision is only a better economic alternative than private renting. State landlordism is worse than facilitating home ownership.

Featured image via the Canary

By James Wright

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