Rishi Sunak's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Rishi Sunak. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
Rishi Sunak is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024. He also served as Leader of the Conservative Party during the same period, subsequently becoming Leader of the Opposition following the 2024 election defeat to the Labour Party. Prior to becoming Prime Minister, he was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022 under Boris Johnson. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Richmond and Northallerton since 2015.
2006: MBA from Stanford
In 2006, Rishi Sunak earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University as a Fulbright Scholar.
March 2020: Introduction of Emergency Support and Furlough Scheme
In March 2020, Rishi Sunak introduced a program providing £330 billion in emergency support for businesses, as well as the Coronavirus Job Retention furlough scheme for employees, providing grants to employers to pay 80% of a staff wage and employment costs each month, up to a total of £2,500 per person per month.
June 2020: Furlough Scheme Extension
In June 2020, Rishi Sunak extended the furlough scheme until the end of June 2020, following a three-week extension of the countrywide lockdown.
July 2020: Unveiling of Further Spending Plan
In July 2020, Rishi Sunak unveiled a plan for a further £30 billion of spending including a stamp duty holiday, a cut to value-added tax (VAT) for the hospitality sector, a job retention bonus for employers and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
September 2020: Highest satisfaction score of any British chancellor since 1978
In September 2020, Rishi Sunak achieved the highest satisfaction score of any British chancellor since Denis Healey in April 1978, according to an Ipsos MORI poll, also becoming a favorite to become the next Conservative leader.
October 2020: Furlough Scheme Extended
At the end of May, Rishi Sunak extended the furlough scheme until the end of October 2020 to avoid mass redundancies.
March 2021: Furlough Scheme Extended Again
In March 2021, Rishi Sunak announced that the furlough scheme had been extended once more until September 2021.
September 2021: End of Furlough Scheme
In March 2021, Rishi Sunak announced that the furlough scheme had been extended until September 2021.
October 2022: Sunak Loses Leadership Vote, Later Becomes Prime Minister
In October 2022, Liz Truss won the membership vote, becoming the new leader, while Sunak offered his support. Later that month, after Truss's resignation, Sunak declared his candidacy and secured enough supporters to run. Following Johnson's withdrawal and Mordaunt's withdrawal from the race, Sunak was announced as the new leader on October 24.
October 2022: Sunak's favourability increased after becoming prime minister
In October 2022, following his appointment as prime minister, Rishi Sunak's personal favourability ratings experienced an increase.
October 2022: Sunak Appointed Prime Minister
On October 25, 2022, Rishi Sunak was appointed as Prime Minister by Charles III, becoming the first British Asian to hold the office. At 42, he became the youngest prime minister since 1812. In his first speech, Sunak acknowledged Truss's ambition for growth but admitted mistakes were made and that he was elected to fix them.
December 2023: Government Majority Secured for Safety of Rwanda Bill
On December 12, 2023, Sunak secured a government majority of 44 for the Safety of Rwanda Bill, despite opposition from other parties and abstentions within his own.
