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Labour’s manifesto pledges to consult with the charity sector on legislation

Posted on by darion

Labor promises in its manifesto that it will “fully consult” with charities in developing policy and introducing legislation in areas such as employment, child poverty, the environment and animal welfare.

The document says the party will “seek the involvement” of charities, trade unions and the private sector “in our growth plans so they can help build a stronger economy in all parts of the country.”

“The government achieves its best results by working with business, trade unions, civil society, faith groups and communities,” it says, adding, “but without a common project, these partnerships barely come to fruition.”

Among the specific measures to engage the charity sector, the party’s plans to introduce labor law changes within 100 days were detailed.

“This will include a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts; fire termination and reemployment; and introducing fundamental rights to parental leave, sick pay and protection against unfair dismissal from day one,” the manifesto reads.

It further pledges to “work in partnership with civil society, communities and businesses to restore and protect our natural world” and will also “collaborate” with charities “to work to phase out animal testing.”

It also promises to involve charities in developing an “ambitious strategy” to tackle rising rates of child poverty over the past decade.

Its manifesto points out that 700,000 more children are living in poverty under the Conservative government over the last 14 years.

In January, Labor leader Keir Starmer signaled he wanted charities to be more involved in decision-making through a “renewed social contract”.

Citing culture war attacks by right-wing politicians on the work of charities including the RNLI, Starmer added that “the relationship between government and civil society needs a reset.”

Labor also pledged to restore international development spending to 0.7 of gross national income, but only if “fiscal circumstances allow”.

No more tax breaks for private schools

The manifesto also confirmed that “Labour will abolish VAT exemption and VAT rate relief for private schools.”

As previously announced, independent schools will retain their charitable status but their tax breaks will end if Labor comes to power on July 5.

Labor has confirmed that this extra revenue will be invested in state schools.

This includes recruiting 6,500 new teachers, as well as improving careers guidance, early language development in primary schools and mental health support for young people.

In addition, it will create 3 thousand new nurseries.

Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Paul Johnson is concerned that the manifesto contains “almost no concrete promises on spending, even though Labor diagnoses deep-seated problems around child poverty, homelessness, higher education funding, adult social care, local government finances and pensions “. and much more beyond that.”