IN marking the first 100 days of the Labour government, it’s worth remembering that no one pretended change was going to be easy.
Comparisons have been made to the incoming Blair government I was part of in 1997.
But there are great differences.
Firstly, more planning had taken place in preparation for government.
A windfall levy on privatised utilities brought in billions which helped get unemployed people into work.
It also enabled enormous investment in school repairs and building.
This gave a “feelgood” factor not available to the new government.
No one expects Keir Starmer to emulate the Blair of 27 years ago but projecting optimism of our country in the future will be a major plus.
The PM’s statement that he wasn’t seeking popularity has, regrettably, been borne out.
So Labour must ensure their commitment to put booster rockets under economic growth, productivity and fairness come to fruition.
It is the job of this Labour government to once again provide us as a country with the pride and determination to succeed in years to come.
DON’T be put off by the price of cooking a roast dinner.
There are lots of ways to carve off a juicy saving.
Enjoy the traditional British meal for less with these money-saving tips . . .
SLOWLY DOES IT: Slow cookers cost just pennies to run and are perfect for cheaper cuts of meat such as beef brisket or pork shoulder.
Seal the meat in a frying pan, add to the slow cooker with some veg and stock and then just leave to bubble gently for the day.
MEAT TREAT: When it comes to choosing your roasting joint, a large chicken usually works out the best value, followed by pork.
Look at the price per kilo in order to work out which will give you the most meat for the least money.
A roast can also work out much cheaper than buying individual cuts.
An extra-large chicken is currently £5.25 with a Tesco Clubcard, which is £2.76 a kilo, while if you buy a pack of chicken breasts they work out at least £5.79 per kilo.
AIR TIME: Cook your roast potatoes in an air-fryer, if you have one.
They’ll cook even more quickly, using less energy, if cut up small.
Parboil then spray with oil before cooking to perfection in under 30 minutes.
NICE AND FREEZY: Keep bags of frozen vegetables in the freezer for cheap and easy side dishes.
Have a bag of cauliflower or broccoli on ice for a tasty gratin with cheese sauce, along with frozen peas and sweetcorn.
If you want to cook from fresh, carrots and cabbage are the best value.
LOVELY LEFTOVER: A roast dinner keeps on giving.
Use leftover meat in stir-fries or Mexican-style wraps.
Fry uneaten potatoes and veg for bubble and squeak or a tasty hash.
Add some chilli sauce and an egg for a whole new meal.
Turn chicken bones and scraps into stock and soup.
GET 30 per cent off the Ickle Bubba Venus Max jogger stroller at Argos, £188.30 with the code RED30.
Normal price is £269.
SAVE: £80.70
BUY two selected packs of Morrisons biscuits for £1.20, including choc-chip cookies that are 85p for a single pack.
SAVE: 50p on two
BEEFEATER will treat 50,000 diners to a free 8oz rump steak to celebrate its 50th birthday, when you buy another main meal.
Claim the deal at offers.beefeater. co.uk/50-years
HOLD make-up in place with charlottetilbury.com’s Airbrush flawless setting spray, £32.
Or try Face Facts weightless setting spray, £4 in store at The Original Factory Shop or online as a £10 bundle with two other products.
SAVE: £28
FROM 11am at Maccy D’s, choose either a mayo chicken or a cheeseburger, plus a medium drink and fries and four McNuggets, for a fiver – saving £2.46.
CO-OP Members can pick up a selection of five frozen items for £5, including Birds Eye wholegrain nuggets and McCain oven chips, 750g.
Non-members pay £6.
SAVE: Up to £8.65
SPEND £40-plus on home products at Asda by tomorrow and get ten per cent off selected electrical items.
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