The Prime Minister's first 100 days are up

Oxfam called on the new Prime Minister to introduce a 2% wealth tax on assets over £10m, as part of a wider package of reforms to make the tax system fairer.

Status at 100 days: Ambitious aims, but missed opportunity for action

On taking office, Andy Burnham promised to deliver a new economic model and to put care of people at the heart of everything he does. While steps towards a fairer tax system in the 2026 Autumn Budget are welcome, the changes did not include a wealth tax and fell far short of the comprehensive package of reforms needed to ensure the super-rich and big polluters pay their fair share to help invest in an economy that works for everyone.

Oxfam called on the new prime minister to restore the UK aid budget to 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) and commit to upholding the UK’s obligations under international law.

Status at 100 days: Partially delivered, but further urgent action needed

September 2026 saw Ed Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, announce a ban on UK trade with illegal Israeli settlements, that includes goods services, investments and advertising, which Oxfam and others had been campaigning for. This was a significant and a welcome step towards respecting international law. This victory shows that when people come together for justice, change really can happen. Together, we will continue to push for the government to use every diplomatic and economic tool at its disposal to push for an end to the unlawful occupation and support Palestinian self-determination.

A further welcome step was Kirsty McNeil, Development Minister, strongly reaffirming the government commitment to return to a target of 0.7% of national income spending. However, this has yet to happen, and damning recent calculations show the UK is even on course to miss its reduced target of 0.3% by an estimated £400m which will affect millions of people in the poorest countries.

Oxfam called on the new Prime Minister to increase the share of UK aid going to local organisations.

Status at 100 days: Verbal commitment but no action

It has been positive to see the Foreign Secretary, and the Development Minister, both reiterate the importance of local leadership as a critical part of a new vision of development. Rooted in shared solidarity and mutual interest.

However, this now needs to turn into action – through direct funding of local groups, including crucially, women’s rights groups. This needs to include cutting red tape so grassroots groups can access funding more easily, giving these key actors direct control over flexible funding, recognising they play a critical role in peacebuilding.

Oxfam called on the new Prime Minister to make polluters pay through stronger taxation on fossil fuel companies and the super-rich, and to ensure a just transition and an end to new oil and gas licensing in the North Sea.

Status at 100 days: Significant failings

While there have been welcome signals on delivering a just transition, including the proposed Energy Wealth Fund, this has been significantly undermined. By approving the Jackdaw gas field, the Prime Minister has drilled straight through the UK’s climate commitments. It sends entirely the wrong signal as the impacts of climate change intensify, with those who have contributed least to the crisis likely to be hit hardest.

All eyes will now be on the upcoming decision on whether to approve the larger, Rosebank, oil field. Rosebank would do little to improve UK energy security and even official analysis forecasts its tax revenues will fall close to zero within five years. Yet the global consequences would be devastating. Rosebank is estimated to generate 254 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions which would contribute to around 57,400 excess heat deaths worldwide by the end of the century. It must not be approved.

Oxfam called on the new Prime Minister to take leadership, stand up for all communities, and demonstrate that the UK's strength is it's diversity.

Status at 100 days: Lots of words, now we need actions

There were clear messages calling for unity in Andy Burnham’s speech to the Labour Party Conference, with a verbal commitment to “move beyond a decade of drift and division. To bring a spirit of unity and positivity back to our country” – putting hope above division, opposing “politics of poison”.

The rhetoric on national renewal, hope, unity and strengthening of communities is welcome.

Now the Prime Minister needs to ensure he and the Labour Government walk the talk to ensure that racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, sexism, misogyny and transphobia has no place in British society or politics.

Positive positioning, but needs to be matched with bold action

As the UK prepares for its G20 Presidency, the government has a vital opportunity to turn its ambition into action – making debt relief faster, deeper and fairer, ensuring climate finance reaches those who need it most, and tackling the inequalities in our global financial system, including through fairer taxation. Inequality is a political choice and so are the solutions.

Here at Oxfam we will be continuing to hold the government to account and push for a kinder, and radically better world, where everyone has the power to thrive not just survive. Join us.

Ema Jackson is the Director of Campaigns for Oxfam GB.