Sir Keir Starmer’s first year as Prime Minister has been branded the second worst of the 21st century, a damning report exclusively shared with GB News has revealed.
The TaxPayers' Alliance assessed economic performance across key indicators during the first 12 months of seven Prime Ministers.
The report assessed several factors - including economic growth, debt, unemployment, inflation, and business confidence - to score each leader’s impact on the economy.
Only Rishi Sunak’s first year ranked lower, with Starmer's immediate predecessor coming last in all categories except business confidence and debt.
Starmer recorded the third lowest GDP growth at just 1.2 per cent, the third highest increase in debt levels at 3.74 per cent, and the second worst rise in unemployment, which increased by 0.23 per cent.
Inflation stood at 3.2 per cent, the second highest of the group, alongside an equally poor showing for business confidence.
The report noted that David Cameron’s first year - which came just two years after the 2008 financial crisis - and Boris Johnson's Covid-fixated first 12 months were directly impacted by both events.
Nevertheless, Starmer’s economic performance ranked poorly compared to his recent predecessors.
The TaxPayers' Alliance assessed economic performance across key indicators during the first 12 months of seven Prime Ministers
GB News/ Taxpayers' Alliance
Darwin Friend, head of research at the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "The nation is seriously suffering under Starmer's leadership, with all the economic indicators flashing red.
“He and his Chancellor's decision to hammer businesses and households with a devastating volley of tax rises is undoubtedly one of the root causes of the serious malaise we find ourselves in.”
Friend added: “Starmer needs to radically change course or otherwise things could only get worse for him, his government and the country."
The final league table laid bare which Prime Ministers boosted Britain’s fortunes, and who left taxpayers grappling with serious debt and sluggish economic growth.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking at the British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference at the QEII Centre, LondonPAThe figures come from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), Office for National Statistics (ONS), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
With each Prime Minister scored from one to seven, Brexit-battered Theresa May secured top spot with a score of 30 - pipping Tony Blair to pole position by just four points.
Despite being defeated in the 2010 General Election, Gordon Brown took the bronze medal on 25, leaving Johnson just behind on 20.
Cameron's austerity years did not get off to the speediest of starts, with the now-Tory Lord languishing in fifth on 16 points.
Starmer and Sunak were almost in a dead-heat. The current Prime Minister received a score of just 12, putting him one point ahead of Sunak on 11.
In response to the report, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said: “Across every measure of financial and social success, the UK is in a significantly worse position under this Labour Government.
Keir Starmer’s economic performance ranked poorly compared to his recent predecessors
GETTY“Starmer has either U-turned on or failed to deliver nearly every campaign promise he made during the election — from protecting pensioners, to maintaining budget responsibility, to boosting GDP and business confidence — Labour has failed.
“Starmer has made it clear that this Labour government values illegal migrants more than British citizens.
"He has betrayed the hardworking British public with excessive tax hikes, punitive inheritance levies, and the highest energy prices in the world due to his government’s reckless net zero policies.”
Tice fumed: “It’s no wonder thousands of voters are turning to us each month — the party that will restore sanity to the United Kingdom and consistently put the British people first.”
A new Ipsos poll found just 19 per cent of adults back Starmer’s performance, while a staggering 73 per cent say they are dissatisfied.
It gives the Labour leader a dire net approval rating of minus 54 per cent, less than a year after his election victory.
Ipsos also revealed that this is the lowest score ever recorded for a Prime Minister.
Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak
GETTY
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride also told GB News: “Labour promised growth, but they’ve delivered stagnation. By talking down the economy and hiking business taxes, they've crushed confidence and killed investment.
"They've borrowed and spent like there's no tomorrow, fueling inflation and keeping interest rates higher for longer. Debt interest now exceeds £100billion - double the defence budget. And now their growing list of unfunded U-turns means they have created a gaping hole in public finances.”
The Central Devon MP added: "Businesses and hardworking people have been put on notice. More taxes are on the way."
Author and historian Sir Anthony Seldon also told the People's Channel: “Keir has faced a difficult inheritance which didn’t help, but much of the fault is down to him personally.
“First, no clear vision or plan, most of all on how to achieve growth.”
“Second, a blithe disregard for learning how to be Prime Minister and appointing the experienced people around him who any PM needs.”
GB News has approached the Cabinet Office and the Treasury for comment.
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