Angela Rayner promises flagship employment law next month, promising ‘things can get better’

Angela Rayner has promised to introduce Labour’s flagship workers’ rights bill to parliament next month, telling her party’s conference: “Things can get better if we get the right decisions.”

The government has faced criticism in recent weeks for its pessimistic economic messaging, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warning October budget will be “painful” to tackle a £22bn “black hole” he says the Conservatives have left behind.

But while his deputy said the party “cannot wish our problems away”, she said “hope prevailed” when Labour won a landslide victory at the last election, adding: “Change has begun.”

Politics Live: Rayner to address Labour Party conference

Speaking in the conference room on the first full day of Labour’s annual meeting, Ms Rayner said: “I’ll be honest. We can’t wish our problems away. We have to face them. That’s the difference between the Opposition and the Government.

“But… things can improve if we get the decisions right. Sustainable growth is the only way to improve the lives of working people, and we are repairing the foundations to get Britain back on the growth path. No more talk, just action.”

The Deputy First Minister reiterated her party’s plans to improve tenants’ rights, including ending no-fault evictions “for good”, as well as promising a “devolution revolution” in the north of England and the “biggest support for social and community housing in a generation”.

But the most enthusiastic reception among delegates was her long-awaited plan to expand workers’ rights across the country. She promised to introduce a workers’ rights bill in the House of Commons in October.

Some in the business community have expressed concerns about the legislation, and The Institute of Directors survey conducted earlier this month citing the law as a reason for pessimism among companies that fear its impact on their operations.

However, the government tried to minimize any divisions and maintained, several round tables with company leaders in recent weeks to allay their concerns.

A champion of the bill, Ms Rayner said: “They said we can’t do it. Some have tried to stop it. But after years of opposition, we are on the threshold of historic legislation that will make work safer, more family-friendly, go further and faster to close the gender pay gap, ensure rights are enforced and unions are strengthened.

“That means repealing the Conservatives’ anti-worker laws and new rights for union representatives. A real minimum wage and sick pay for the lowest earners, a ban on exploitative zero-hour contracts and unpaid internships, an end to firing and rehiring. And we will introduce basic rights from day one.

“It’s our plan to make work pay, and it’s coming to your workplace.”

Rayner’s big speech leaves the issue of destructive donations unresolved

Liz Bates

Political Correspondent

@wizbates

Angela Rayner had a difficult morning before her conference speech as she had to face questions about her own gifts from Labour’s Lord Alli.

The probe came after he stayed at a $2.5 million Manhattan apartment with fellow MP Sam Tarry, whom she failed to mention was with her when she reported the incident to parliamentary authorities.

Her big speech on stage just hours later should have been no doubt triumphant – her first conference speech as deputy prime minister.

But as she chronicled her journey from a struggling single mother to the highest government position, her life only changed.

She spoke about working as a carer and struggling to make ends meet, and referenced Sir Keir Starmer’s difficult past (if you haven’t heard, his father was a toolmaker!).

It was meant to be an inspiring story and a reminder that the Labour Party shares a common purpose.

Yet the fact that this working-class woman, and the Prime Minister she now serves, lead a life of luxury homes, free clothes and football tickets that most voters will never experience, and that sets them apart from the people they represent, has been ignored.

Putting aside any potential reporting errors, the case raises broader questions about money in politics that hung in the air throughout her speech — unaddressed and unresolved.

The crowd gave her a standing ovation, but if Labour is to truly celebrate its historic election victory, it needs to tackle the destructive problem that has poisoned the atmosphere in Liverpool so far.

Concluding her speech, the Deputy Prime Minister said: “On July 4, people entrusted us with the task of change and hope won. Now is our moment, not only to speak, but also to act.

“Labour governments in the past have taken up the same challenge at a time when Britain desperately needed change. They have delivered a better Britain when the odds were against them.

“And that is exactly what this Labour government must deliver once again. So conference, get to work.”