Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made five promises in a speech setting out his Government's priorities for the year ahead.
Making the speech on Wednesday afternoon, he said: "We will halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists, and stop the boats."
Mr Sunak said he would work "night and day" to change the UK. The Prime Minister, in a speech in east London, said: "New year should be a time of optimism and excitement, yet I know many of you look ahead to 2023 with apprehension.
"I want you to know that, as your Prime Minister, I will work night and day to change that, and quickly. Not just by providing relief and peace of mind for the months to come, although we will, but also by changing our country and building a better future for our children and grandchildren. A future that restores optimism, hope and pride in Britain."
The Prime Minister said his administration was taking "urgent action" to solve the current waiting times in the NHS.
He said: "Let me first address two issues that I know are at the forefront of everyone's minds. I know there are challenges in A&E. People are understandable anxious when they see ambulances queueing outside hospitals
"You should know that we are taking urgent action, increasing bed capacity by 7,000 more hospital beds and more people cared for at home, providing new funding to discharge people into social care in the community, freeing up beds. And the NHS is working urgently on future plans for A&E and ambulances."
He called for a "reasonable dialogue" with the unions, as he promised an update on the Government's next steps.
Mr Sunak said: "We hugely value public sector workers like nurses. They do incredibly important work and that's why we want a reasonable dialogue with the unions about what's responsible and fair for our country. And in the coming days, we will update you on the Government's next steps."
He said that his Government would reflect the "people's priorities".
"People don't want politicians who promise the earth and then fail to deliver. They want government to focus less on politics and more on the things they care about - the cost of living, too high. Waiting times in the NHS, too long. Illegal migration, far too much. I think people do accept that many of these challenges are at least in part, the legacy of Covid and impacted by the war in Ukraine.
"But that's not an excuse. We need to address these problems, not just talk about them."
He said that since entering Number 10, progress had been made. But he said: "But of course, we need to do more."
Outlining his five pledges, the PM said: "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.
"First, we will halve inflation this year to ease the cost of living and give people financial security. Second, we will grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country. Third, we will make sure our national debt is falling so that we can secure the future of public services.
"Fourth, NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly. Fifth, we will pass new laws to stop small boats, making sure that if you come to this country illegally, you are detained and swiftly removed.
"So, five promises - we will: Halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists, and stop the boats. Those are the people's priorities. They are your Government's priorities. And we will either have achieved them or not.
"No trick... no ambiguity... we're either delivering for you or we're not. 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."
Mr Sunak said the vision he set out may not be achieved in this Parliament.
The Prime Minister said: "As well as peace of mind today, this afternoon I've also set out a vision for a better future for our children and grandchildren. Now we're not going to get there overnight, or even in this Parliament. But this is the journey we are on.
"And despite all the challenges we face, all the anxieties that people feel, I know we can get there. Others may talk about change, I will deliver it. I won't offer you false hope or quick fixes, but meaningful lasting change.
"I want people to feel something that they do not always feel today - a belief that public services work for them, and knowledge that if you work hard in the good times, the state will be there for you during the bad."
Ending his speech, he said: "I guarantee that your priorities will be my priorities. I pledge that I will be honest about the challenges we face. And I will take the tough but necessary decisions to ensure our great country achieves its enormous potential. I will only promise what I can deliver, and I will deliver what I promise."
