Labour promises to ‘transform the job market’
Sir Keir Starmer has promised to “transform” the British job market.
Keir Starmer said: “Some people say that how you grow the economy is not a central question – that it’s not about how you create wealth, but how you tax it, how you spend it, how you slice the cake, that’s all that matters.
“So let me be crystal clear – this manifesto is a total rejection of that argument, because if you transform the nature of the jobs market, change the infrastructure that supports investment into our economy, reform the planning regime, start to unlock the potential of billions upon billions in projects that are ready to go, held up by the blockers of aspiration, then that does so much more to our long-term growth prospects.”
Starmer takes swing at Nigel Farage
Keir Starmer has taken a swing at Nigel Farage – one of his first of the campaign so far.
He tells the audience that “there may be some people here today who say, ‘Where’s the surprise? Where’s the rabbit out of the hat?’
“To which I say if you want politics as pantomime I hear Clacton is nice at this time of year.”
Reform UK leader Farage is running in Clacton, in Essex, in his eigth bid to be an MP.
Labour commits to slashing migration
Labour has committed to slashing net migration – but has not said by how much.
The party wants to wean Britain off its reliance on foreign workers by training up the domestic workforce.
The manifesto says: “We have seen net migration reach record highs; more than triple the level than at the last election in 2019. The overall level must be properly controlled and managed. Failure to do so reduces the incentives for businesses to train locally. So, Labour will reduce net migration.”
A Labour government would also bring in training plans for sectors like construction, IT, social care, health and engineering.
The manifesto adds: “The days of a sector languishing endlessly on immigration shortage lists with no action to train up workers will come to an end.”
‘No magic wand’ warns Starmer
Keir Starmer has warned there is “no magic wand” to fix Britain.
Starmer says: “These challenges don’t disappear overnight. If Labour wins, we don’t have a magic wand
“What we do have, what this manifesto represents, is a credible long term plan.
“A plan built on stable foundations with clear first steps, tough spending rules that will keep taxes and inflation low and waiting times cut with 40,000 extra appointments every week, a Border Security Command to smash the criminal smuggling gangs, Great British Energy to cut bills in your home for good.
“More police in your town. cracking down on anti social behaviour, and 6500 new teachers in your skill, giving your children the start in life they deserve.”
Labour promises two million extra NHS appointments
Sir Keir’s flagship NHS policy is an extra two million operations, scans and appointments in the first year of government to bring down waiting lists.
Labour argues this can be done through staff working overtime and more appointments over weekends and evenings.
And they claim it would be funded by cracking down on tax dodgers and the new non-dom charges.
The manifesto promises to cut NHS waiting times with 40,000 more appointments every week and double the number of cancer scanners.
And it outlines their new dentistry rescue plan and 8,500 additional mental health staff.
It says: “We should all be able to trust that the NHS will be there for us when we need it, whether it is a GP appointment, an ambulance, or help at A&E.
Labour’s immediate priority on health will be to get a grip on the record waiting list.”
Labour’s plan on energy
Labour has promised to convert Britain to clean power by 2030.
This is five years earlier than the Conservatives.
The manifesto vows to: “Make Britain a clean energy superpower to cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero.”
A Keir Starmer-led government would create a publicly owned company Great British Energy to invest in new renewable energy projects.
But Labour’s Net Zero plans have already sparked a backlash from union GMB which says the plans are “unviable”.
