Can six targets turn the tide? What Keir Starmer said - and what it all means

Sir Keir Starmer's speech on Thursday mentioned the word "milestone" eight times and "missions" 13 times.

- Guardian staff

There were also three "promises" and a "pledge".

This all added up to one big thing: the prime minister attempting to turn the tide after a difficult start in government, by setting targets it must reach by the end of this parliament.

The "plan for change" speech focused on six well-trailed themes:

1) Higher living standards... the fastest growth in the G7

Starmer pledged... "higher living standards in every region of the country. So working people have more money in their pocket... the burden of the cost-of-living crisis... no longer intruding on the joy of family life."

Analysis: Critics of Labour's first budget would argue that this aim has been made more difficult by the measures it announced - among them, increases to employers' National Insurance Contributions. The Confederation of British Industry has since warned that "expectations for growth have taken a decisive turn for the worse", and the budget will make it more difficult for firms to hire new staff. The Resolution Foundation described the targets as "the bare minimum for any functioning government".

2) Building 1.5 million homes in England

Starmer pledged to fast-track planning decisions on at least 150 major economic infrastructure projects, saying: "Clearly if we don't turbo-charge housebuilding with reform we won't meet that milestone. And if that level of candour surprises you... Then honestly - it shouldn't. After all - what is the point of setting a target that you can deliver without bold action."