25th Sep 2024 11:30
(Alliance News) - Both sides of industry largely welcomed the UK prime minister's speech, with union leaders saying that workers "desperately" needed change.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: "Keir Starmer showed today that he's determined to deliver that change for communities across Britain and to make work pay for everyone.
"Unions stand ready to work with him and his Government to urgently repair and rebuild this country."
CBI Chief Executive Rain Newton-Smith said: "The prime minister is right to say that Government is facing challenges too complex to resolve alone.
"The 'shared struggle' to put the country back on the path to prosperity serves as a rallying call for a partnership between business and government that harnesses the innovation, investment, and optimism of industry to deliver lasting change."
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The prime minister rightly set out the importance of stabilising and growing the economy.
"Businesses stand ready to work hand in hand with Government to reach those goals.
"Firms also wanted to hear an upbeat plan for the future, so it was encouraging to hear the prime minister talk of light at the end of the tunnel."
GMB General Secretary Gary Smith said: "I genuinely believe Keir Starmer and his Government get working people and the need to bring back opportunities.
"He offered a positive vision of the future and a country we can be proud of."
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The government should forget the pursuit of free holidays, concert tickets and shiny new suits and focus on the needs of families and children.
"Nobody doubts the scale of challenge confronting the government but what was lacking today was any sense of the scale of ambition needed to meet these challenges."
Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea said: "The UK now has a government with the commitment, vision and ability to repair and revitalise every part of society.
"Clearing up the Tories' mess won't happen overnight. Austerity's damaged so much the country holds dear, but Labour's promised there'll be no return to that painful time.
"Keir wants to put things right and create the conditions that allow everyone to play their part, no matter who they are."
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: "There is no doubt that Britain is better off under a Labour Government and the speech showed serious intent.
"However the fact is that the cut to the winter fuel allowance was not reversed and investment for jobs in the future not clear.
"We still have some way to go for a plan for Britain."
By Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent
Press Association: News
source: PA
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