Starmer receives mixed response

There was a mixed if not negative reaction from unions to prime minister Keir Starmer’s speech to TUC Congress.

UNISON public services union general secretary Christina McAnea said it would be challenging to get the country back on its feet, but “the change Labour promises will make a real difference”. She welcomed the “vital reform” of social care, beginning with a fair pay agreement to lift wages.

Unite general union general secretary Sharon Graham said it was clear that Britain is better under a Labour government. But she repeated her call for Labour to rule out “austerity mark two”.

“We have seen some positive action from the new government, with above-inflation pay awards already in place,” said GMB general secretary Gary Smith. “But GMB’s public sector members are clear: this must be a start and not a finish.”

NEU education union general secretary Daniel Kebede said Starmer had failed to make clear the direction of travel has changed under a Labour government. “Instead of setting out a positive vision” to rebuild the economy and society, he added, Starmer served up more of the same “tough choices”.

PCS public and commercial services union general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “You cannot solve the problems caused by austerity with more austerity.

“That’s why the TUC has voted overwhelmingly for a campaign of pay restoration across the public sector.”