UPDATE - British premier pledges action on key issues, from cost of living to irregular migration

ADDS MORE REMARKS BY BRITISH PREMIER; REVISES DECK

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The government will always reflect people’s priorities, said the UK prime minister on Wednesday, pledging to find solutions to economic and health issues as well as irregular migration woes.

In a speech on his priorities for the new year, Rishi Sunak touched on the challenges British people are currently facing and said his government will fix the economy, reduce waits for National Health Service care, and tackle the problem of irregular migration boats.

"So I want to make five promises to you today. Five pledges to deliver peace of mind. Five foundations, on which to build a better future for our children and grandchildren," said Sunak.

He said that halving inflation, boosting economic growth, and reducing debt are among his priorities.

"We must have the courage to change," he said, stressing the need to change the way the country works.

He said that he will set out the government's plans on each of the priority areas.

"We will rebuild trust in politics through action, or not at all. So, I ask you to judge us on the effort we put in and the results we achieve," added Sunak.

- 'I will only promise what I can deliver'

He said ongoing strikes and long waits at accident and emergency (A&E) departments are "two issues that are forefront on everyone's mind."

Sunak underlined that everyone should know that the government is taking urgent action on the people's anxieties on the waiting issue, while it wants a "reasonable dialogue" with unions regarding industrial action across the country.

Citing "apprehension" in people's mind over the new year, Sunak reiterated that he works "night and day" to change that by changing the country and "building a better future for our children and grandchildren."

I will only promise what I can deliver, and I will deliver what I promise," he added.

Meanwhile, early Wednesday the Doctors' Association UK (DAUK), sent a letter to Sunak urging him to recall parliament "immediately" to discuss the healthcare crisis.

"The NHS is broken. Patients are dying and staff are suffering moral injury from the appalling conditions," said the letter.