Starmer’s flagship mission boards quietly abolished | Politics | News

Sir Keir came to power in 2024 promising a “mission-led government” that would be built around five Mission Boards, which he promised to personally preside over.

First, Sir Keir abandoned his promise to chair the boards himself and handed them over to cabinet ministers.

Then, in November 2025, they were quietly stripped of their status as Cabinet Committees, as Westminster sources say it is the very power that allows them to make binding decisions.

It has now been revealed that all five boards have either been abolished or have not met at all since this fall.

Parliamentary questions revealed that the grandly named ‘Safer Streets Mission Board’ had not met since last November.

Later, the Clean Energy Super Board could not meet either.

The economic growth board has been replaced by a separate committee, with ministers giving vague answers about the future of the NHS and Opportunity boards.

Alex Burghart, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said Sir Keir “promised change and stability but his premiership has been defined by scandal and failure”.

He added: “His much-vaunted ‘duties’ were never more than a slogan. Weeks before the end of this failed government, the structures created to carry out those duties have now been quietly abandoned.”

Mr Burghart said only that “under new leadership” the Conservatives “have a plan to restore common sense governance, rebuild public confidence and make Britain work again”.

A Government spokesman insisted missions remained a priority.

They said: “We are determined to solve the big problems facing British people, from the economy and the cost of living to safer streets and NHS waiting lists.”

The spokesperson added that Mission Boards “remain a forum available to relevant Secretaries of State across government”.