Sir Keir Starmer has hailed a changed Labour Party as he delivered his first party conference speech as prime minister to a packed hall of delegates in Liverpool.
In a wide-ranging address that lasted over an hour, he covered policies new and old, admitting: “I understand many of the decisions we must take will be unpopular. If they were popular – they’d be easy.”
However, he promised a “light at the end of the tunnel” for Britain.
Sir Keir was met with rapturous applause from delegates – while a lone protester heckled him near the end of his speech, with the “children of Gaza” heard before he was escorted from the venue.
Responding to the heckler, the prime minister said that “this guy has a pass for the 2019 conference”, adding: “While he has been protesting, we have been changing the party.”
Sir Keir also said that pensioners will be better off under Labour despite the party’s controversial cuts to winter fuel payments.
Acknowledging that some may find it hard to “take that on faith” due to the cold weather benefit cut, the PM said: “If this path were popular or easy, we would have walked it already.”
The Independent’s political team will be reporting live throughout the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
Key Points
- PM interrupted by protester during Labour conference speech
- Starmer’s speech protester says he spoke up for Gaza and Lebanon
- Starmer mistakenly calls for ‘return of the sausages’ in Gaza
- PM insists pensioners will be ‘better off’ with Labour
- Labour to bring ‘Hillsborough Law’ before April
- Starmer: Change must mean nothing less than national renewal
Union boss says Starmer offers ‘positive vision' for workers
18:30
Salma Ouaguira
Gary Smith, GMB general secretary, 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. The Tories left our carers wearing bin bags as PPE. Keir Starmer shows under Labour they will get the respect they deserve.
“GMB members will be very encouraged by what they just heard. There is so much to be hopeful about.”
Parliament has already backed proposed cuts to winter fuel allowance, chancellor says
18:23
Tara Cobham
Parliament has already backed proposed changes to the winter fuel allowance, the Chancellor has said ahead of an expected vote on the policy at the Labour Party conference.
Rachel Reeves told a fringe event at the conference: “Conference will vote on that motion which I think includes fiscal rules, a wealth tax and the winter fuel payment.
“But Parliament has already voted on this a couple of weeks ago and there was overwhelming support for restricting winter fuel payments to just those pensioners on pension credit.
“I think the reason why, in the end, MPs did vote that way is because of a recognition that the triple lock will protect pensioner incomes.”
Ms Reeves also said the new Government’s actions to promote uptake of pension credit had seen 13,000 people had applied for pension credit in the past week – a “sharp increase” on the number in the same period last year.
She said: “Because of the actions this Labour Government is taking, the poorest pensioners will not only keep their winter fuel payment but are likely to get hundreds of pounds extra every year through getting the pension credit which the previous Tory government, although they are now saying they care about pensioner poverty, made no effort to boost the take-up of pension credit.”
Yes, ‘Superman’ Starmer made a slip of the tongue – but it didn’t take away from a banger of a speech
18:19
Joe Murphy
The “return of the sausages” was not in Labour’s manifesto, but somehow in the excitement of his first conference speech as prime minister, Keir Starmer made it an extra policy commitment.
Did he really just say that? Yes, he somehow managed to garble the word “hostages” during a heavy passage about the Middle East. But it simply didn’t matter because this was “Superman” Starmer’s day – the day his cantankerous and impossible party finally conceded that, yes, all things considered, it loved its leader.
The thing about Labour is you can never take the hall for granted. And despite a summer of winter fuel discontent, briefing wars and now a scandal over his £16,200 clothing freebies (how does a man whose suits look identical run up such a high bill?), the cheers of 5 July echoed again.
Read more here:
EXCLUSIVE | Crackdown over taxpayer-funded university courses for top executives
18:00
Salma Ouaguira
Keir Starmer has announced a crackdown on the use of taxpayers’ money for university courses for top executives - in a victory for an Independent campaign.
Ministers were under pressure to act after this publication revealed that more than £1bn of taxpayers’ money was being used to fund masters-level courses for top executives.
Now in a shake-up of the apprenticeship levy the prime minister is announcing a shake-up to restrict its use for postgraduate courses.
Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin has the full story:
Reeves: We are removing barriers for business
17:39
Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell
Rachel Reeves is addressing a fringe event at the Labour conference on how her party plans to grow the economy.
The chancellor has told attendees at the IPPR reception that Labour’s early moves to remove barriers for businesses will have the longest-lasting impact, including lifting the moratorium on onshore wind farms.
She is being joined by Heather Boushey, Member of the Council of Economic Advisers at The White House.
Watch: Reaction to Keir Starmer’s Labour conference speech
17:32
Tara Cobham
Sir Keir Starmer speech in full as PM addresses Labour Party conference
17:31
Tara Cobham
Sir Keir Starmer has delivered his first Labour conference speech as prime minister as he vowed to “return this great nation to the service of working people”.
Speaking as he faced criticism over his acceptance of gifts and hospitality, and his new government warned of hard times ahead with cuts to pensioners’ winter fuel allowance, Sir Keir insisted to delegates in Liverpool that there was a “light at the end of the tunnel” for Britain.
Sir Keir was met with rapturous applause from delegates on Tuesday afternoon. Although a lone protester near the end of his speech shouting “children of Gaza” was escorted from the venue.
You can read the PM’s conference speech in full here:
Starmer is ‘the new George Osborne’, says John McDonnell
17:30
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has become a “replica of George Osborne” by refusing to “end austerity”, former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell said on Tuesday.
Mr McDonnell criticised the prime minister after reports that he will use his speech to the Labour conference to warn of “tough decisions” facing the government.
The MP for Hayes and Harlington, who was stripped of the Labour whip after rebelling against the government to call for the removal of the two-child benefit cap, said: “I don’t say this lightly but if you close your eyes and listen to the language being used it is almost like George Osborne speaking again in 2010”.
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story:
Starmer: Training system funding to be ‘rebalanced’ to aid the young gain skills
17:17
Tara Cobham
The Prime Minister has announced that funding for the training system will be “rebalanced” to help young people gain skills.
He told Labour’s annual conference that foundation apprenticeships will be launched as the first step to a “youth guarantee”.
He said: “We’ve got to give businesses more flexibility to adapt to real training needs. Rebalancing funding in our training system back to young people.”
There will be a new growth and skills levy which will replace the existing apprenticeship levy and include new foundation apprenticeships.
The new apprenticeships will give young people a route in to careers in critical sectors, enabling them to earn a wage whilst developing skills.
The Government said the new levy will allow funding for shorter apprenticeships, giving learners and employers greater flexibility over their training than under the existing system – where apprenticeships must run for at least 12 months.
To fund this, employers are being asked to rebalance their funding which will involve businesses funding more of their level 7 apprenticeships – equivalent to a master’s degree and often accessed by older or already well qualified employees – outside of the levy.
Student who protested at Starmer’s speech lambasts lack of action on Gaza
17:15
Tara Cobham
The 18-year-old student who protested against the prime minister’s speech at the Labour Party conference said he was moved to act by Sir Keir Starmer’s “sickening” lack of action in the Middle East.
Daniel Riley was a delegate and Labour Party member who was not acting on behalf of an organisation or protest group, but said the Labour leader was expressing “empty platitudes” when he called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The new Labour Government has suspended about 30 out of a total of 350 arms export licences to Israel, amid concerns they could be used in violation of international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict.
But protesters have lined the exterior of the conference centre in Liverpool with signs accusing the Government of being “complicit in genocide”.
Mr Riley told reporters after he was released by security: “Every day we’re still sending British bombs and British bullets that are being used in Lebanon and in Gaza right now, and the prime minister, he could stop that, he could stop that right now, but he doesn’t. And he says that he wants things to stop, but he won’t lift a finger to actually stop it.”
Asked if he had planned to disrupt the leader’s speech, Mr Riley said: “No, I was a delegate, I’m a Labour Party member, I hoped I’d be one for life but I suspect not now.
“What’s happened, and just the complete failure of Keir Starmer and the Labour Party to address it, it’s just completely sickening.”
Listening to the prime minister’s speech, Mr Riley said: “I was just angry, I mean at myself I guess for not saying anything at the time, but again, like I say, just for him coming out to say he wanted a ceasefire, but not taking any of the actions. And I was just angry, in the end, I decided I would do it.”
When asked to clarify what he shouted during the speech, because of the ensuing noise from delegates that drowned out his criticism, Mr Riley said: “Not really sure myself, to be honest. Just saying that while he was talking about providing opportunities for children, children in Gaza and children in Lebanon are having British bombs and bullets rain down on them because he won’t lift a finger to stop them.”
Justice secretary says she wants to reduce number of women going into prison
17:11
Tara Cobham
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she wants to reduce the number of women going into prison, adding the “ultimate ambition” is to have fewer women’s prisons.
Ms Mahmood said prison “isn’t working” for women, telling the Labour Party conference in Liverpool: “Rather than encouraging rehabilitation, prison forces women into a life of crime.”
Ms Mahmood highlighted a 2007 review related to women and the criminal justice system, adding: “It was clear then and it’s clear now that if we change how we treat women in prison, we cut crime, we keep families together and we end the harm that passes from one generation to the next.
“For that reason I am today announcing that this Government will launch a new body – the Women’s Justice Board.
“It’s goal will be clear: to reduce the number of women going into prison with the ultimate ambition of having fewer women’s prisons.”
GB Energy announcement welcomed as Starmer urged to ‘accelerate’ action
17:10
Tara Cobham
The announcement of GB Energy being based in Aberdeen has been welcomed, as ministers were urged to “accelerate” the creation of the agency.
Responding to the news, Scotland’s acting Energy Secretary Gillian Martin welcomed the announcement, adding: “We will now press the UK Government to make sure that this announcement brings real decision-making to Aberdeen and adds value to the great work already taking place in the energy transition.
“More widely, we are working closely with the UK Government as it establishes the GBE team and we would encourage them to accelerate the establishment of the new organisation so that investment in projects in Scotland can be taken forward without delay.”
Also speaking after the speech, GB Energy chair Juergen Maier CBE, said the headquarters will act as a “starting point” for the newly-formed firm.
“We will use this base to rapidly scale up this publicly owned, operationally independent company and start to engage with investors and communities and build supply chains across the UK,” he added.
Within minutes, the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, which had been campaigning for the agency to come to the region, hailed the “fantastic news” which it said will “secure the north-east’s status as a global energy capital for many decades to come”.
Its chief executive Russell Borthwick added: “However, we do not need to kill off one industry to grow another – in fact, the opposite is true, as one cannot exist without the other.
“We therefore urge the UK Government to use next month’s Budget to restore confidence in the North Sea to protect the jobs, supply chain and energy production we need to ensure a just transition.”
Stuart Payne – the chief executive of the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) – said he was “absolutely delighted” with the news, adding: “The city was at the absolute heart of the UK’s energy story for the last 60 years, and can do the same for the next 60 – the energy transition will be accelerated and enabled by a world class workforce, a passion for tackling the hardest technical challenges, and a very warm welcome awaits our new colleagues.”
Sir Ian Wood, a well known oil and gas billionaire and the chair of Aberdeen’s Energy Transition Zone (ETZ), urged the sector to work with ministers to shape the agency.
And David Whitehouse, the chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, said it was important where the organisation was located, “but what really matters is what it does”, as he urged GB Energy to listen to “expert people across our sector, backing our supply chains and safeguarding the jobs of thousands of skilled workers across the UK”.
Ask John Rentoul anything about Labour Party conference
17:00
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer’s keynote speech on Tuesday will be crucial, as it’s his first post-victory address, where he’ll aim to inspire after a rocky start.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves faced the tough task of selling fiscal discipline – a message that may not sit well with the party’s base and unions.
Ultimately, the conference will be judged on whether it serves as a successful milestone for Labour’s return to power or a missed opportunity to reset after a difficult start in government.
If you have a question on the Labour Party conference, submit it here and our chief political commentator John Rentoul will be on hand later to answer them.
Transport union welcomes Labour’s public railways promise
16:30
Salma Ouaguira
The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association has welcomed Labour’s promise to put public ownership of railways “at the heart of his speech”.
General secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “Rightly the prime minister spoke of building a Britain that belongs to the people, a far cry from the long wasted years of Tory rule.
“This can only happen with rail and the wider transport network in public hands again and that is the only way to build strong local, regional and national economies.”
Watch: Protester interrupts Starmer’s Labour conference speech
16:30
Tara Cobham
Plans for cross-border NHS treatment branded ‘PR gimmick’
16:28
Tara Cobham
Plans to allow NHS patients to travel to England for treatment have been branded a “PR gimmick” in the Senedd.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens revealed a new partnership intended to exchange best practices to address the challenges facing the NHS in England and Wales at the Labour Party conference on Monday.
The move will allow patients to travel between the two countries to receive outpatient or elective treatment, in an effort to tackle record waiting lists in Wales.
But Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, criticised Eluned Morgan, the First Minister of Wales, for not giving enough detail on how the plans will work in practice, asking what capacity may be created and what the costs would be.
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday, Mr Davies also criticised the Welsh Labour government for only taking up the scheme now, arguing that the former Tory government offered a similar policy in 2023.
But Eluned Morgan, the new First Minister of Wales, insisted that the former offer had not been “serious” and that the conversation with the UK Government had now started.
Mr RT Davies said: “I believe that it is a sensible and progressive way of addressing waiting times here in Wales, but I’d like to see the substance of it, otherwise people will just look at it as a PR gimmick that was launched at the Labour Party conference and this time in six months we’ll still have those chronic waiting times here in Wales.”
He added: “What I regret is that the First Minister and her party did not take up that offer in August 2023 and the sympathy that I have for the additional 50,000 people who have joined those waiting lists in Wales in the intervening period.
“Fifty thousand extra people are on a waiting list here in Wales because you declined to take that chance of the second offer scheme in August 2023.”
Both sides of industry largely welcome prime minister’s speech
16:08
Tara Cobham
Both sides of industry largely welcomed the 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.”
TUC reacts to Keir Starmer’s speech
16:00
Salma Ouaguira
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “After 14 years of stagnation and decline under the Conservatives, workers and their families desperately need change.
“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.
“We know ministers have inherited a toxic economic legacy. But as the PM set out that mustn’t limit our ambition as a nation.
“It is also vital those with the broadest shoulders pay their fair share towards building a better Britain.”
Tory leadership hopeful Jenrick brands PM’s speech ‘end of a term’
15:50
Salma Ouaguira
Former immigration secretary Robert Jenrick has compared the Sir Keir Starmer’s like the end of a term.
The Tory leadership hopeful also accused the prime minister of preparing a “dour plan for the UK”.
He said: “This was the speech of a prime minister at the end of his five-year term, not three months in. Sir Keir is already a busted flush - a Mr Grey, with a dour plan for the UK.
Behind all the rhetoric there was no substance. How can Starmer have no plan to grow the economy, reform the NHS or control and reduce immigration after 14 years? It appears he is too distracted with sleaze, infighting and chaos in Downing Street.”
Keir Starmer’s heckler says he spoke up for Gaza and Lebanon
15:42
Salma Ouaguira
Daniel Riley, 18, who heckled the prime minister in his speech at the Labour Party conference said he was moved to shout due Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on the Middle East.
He told reporters after being released by security: “Everyday we’re still sending British bombs and British bullets that are being used in Lebanon and in Gaza right now and the prime minister – he could stop that, he could stop that right now but he doesn’t.
“And he says that he wants things to stop but he won’t lift a finger to actually stop it.”
Asked if he had planned to disrupt the leader’s speech, Mr Riley said: “No, I was a delegate, I’m a Labour Party member, I hoped I’d be one for life but I suspect not now.”
Watch: Starmer sends blunt message to critics amid Labour gifts row
15:40
Salma Ouaguira
Lib Dems: Pensioners still disappointed Labour’s winter fuel allowance cuts
15:34
Salma Ouaguira
The Liberal Democrats have slammed the lack of a U-turn during Sir Keir Starmer’s speech over the winter fuel payment cuts.
Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “Our country will only see the light at the end of the tunnel if the new government invests in health and care.
“Only by fixing the access crisis to GPs and dentists, building new hospitals and fixing social care, can we truly kickstart our economy and save public services. This must be the top priority for the Prime Minister.
“Sadly there will be millions of pensioners left disappointed today at the lack of a u-turn on the upcoming winter fuel allowance cuts. There is still time for the government to change course on this concerning policy and we urge them to do so.”
Starmer delivers shorter conference speech than Sunak
15:30
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer’s party conference speech lasted 54 minutes, slightly shorter than the 56-minute speech he delivered at Labour’s 2023 conference.
Compared with recent party conference speeches by newly-elected prime ministers, Sir Keir spoke for a shorter time than Rishi Sunak (an hour and four minutes in 2023) and Theresa May (58 minutes in 2016), but for longer than Liz Truss in 2022 (35 minutes), Boris Johnson in 2019 (40 minutes) and David Cameron in 2010 (52 minutes).
Shop workers union: Starmer hit the right note today
15:24
Salma Ouaguira
We have more reaction from Sir Keir Starmer’s speech, this time from the shop workers union boss, who has praised the PM.
Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the shop workers union Usdaw said: “Keir Starmer hit the right note today, setting out a positive agenda of change for the government and nothing illustrates that more than the bold plan for a revolution in training.
“Something Usdaw has long campaigned for as we face ever increasing use of artificial intelligence, automation and new technology in our workplaces.”
PM accused of skirting around Brexit in his conference speech
15:21
Archie Mitchell
Responding to the prime minister’s speech at Labour conference Best for Britain claims Sir Keir Starmer dodged the Brexit topic.
Chief Executive Naomi Smith said: “The prime minister said change has begun but made no mention of the change Britain really needs - meaningful change to the Brexit deal which continues to stifle growth, drive up costs and deprive opportunities for businesses and young people.
“Keir Starmer can unlock Britain’s potential by working with our European partners to deliver beneficial regulatory alignment and a Youth Mobility Scheme.”
Watch: Starmer mistakenly calls for ‘return of the sausages’ in major Labour conference speech
15:16
Salma Ouaguira
You can watch Sir Keir Starmer’s embarrasing moment below:
Tories poke fun of Starmer’s ‘return of the sausages’ from Gaza during speech
15:14
Salma Ouaguira
With Sir Keir starmer’s speech now concluded, many are rushing to offer their rections.
The first ones to go are unsurprisingly the Conservatives, who have taken to social media to make fun of an embarrasing slip of the prime minister’s tongue.
Keir Starmer uses his first big speech as Prime Minister to call for the return of the sausages pic.twitter.com/kl99t6z4nK
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) September 24, 2024
ANALYSIS | Starmer has dipped into his family again to deliver his best speech
15:11
David Maddox
With Sir Keir Starmer’s speech now finished, we have some analysis from our political editor David Maddox who is at the Labour Party conference:
This ended up being a very personal speech by the prime minister as he attempted to sweep away the gloom and deliver a substantial vision for Britain’s future.
He has tried using his family - his father being a toolmaker - before but somehow the stories of returning to the cottage with his children where he holidayed as a child and the respect he wants his sister to receive for being a careworker landed much better this time.
The audience had struggled through his hairshirt section on needing to balance the books but noticeably warmed to him as he went into the last section.
Starmer has come over as caring and a man with a vision.
While this conference started very badly for him with in-fighting and questions on freebies it is finishing well before he jets to New York and the United Nations.
Starmer vows a ’great reforming government’
15:07
Salma Ouaguira
Ending his speech, Sir Keir Starmer has listed the priority areas he plans to refor, including the NHS, the energy system, the policing and justice systems, the education system, and the economy.
He told the conference his plas is to bring “the breathing space, the calm, the control to focus on the little things they love in life, not the anxiety and insecurity we have now”.
After being interrupted by a heckler, the PM said: “People said we couldn’t change the party - but we did.
“People said we couldn’t win across Britain - but we have. People say we can’t deliver national renewal - but we can, and we will.”
Breaking: Starmer interrupted before ending speech
15:02
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has been heckled by a member of the audience as he ended his speech.
But he responded: “This guy’s obviously got a pass for the 2019 conference. We’ve changed the party.”
He added: “While he’s been protesting, we’ve been changing the party. That’s why we’ve got a Labour government.”
Starmer jokes he has classical concert after speech
15:01
Salma Ouaguira
The prime minister has said that playing th eflute gave him peace of mind.
He said: “Getting lost in something bigger than yourself, or being moved by a book, a painting, a play. Even now, I turn to Beethoven or Brahms in those moments when, how to put it, the reviews aren’t that good.
“So yes, before you ask, I’ve got some Shostakovich lined up for tomorrow.”
Labour to tackle ‘economic dependency on net migration'
14:58
Salma Ouaguira
The prime minister has told the conference that Labour is committed to reduce net migration and the country’s “economic dependecy” upon it.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “As we take on those massive challenges the Tories ignored, the time is long overdue for politicians to level with you about the trade-offs this country faces. Because if the last few years have shown us anything, it’s that if you bury your head because things are difficult, your country goes backwards.
“If we want cheaper electricity, we need new pylons over ground otherwise the burden on taxpayers is too much. If we want home ownership to be a credible aspiration for our children, then every community has a duty to contribute to that purpose.
“If we want to tackle illegal migration we can’t pretend there’s a magical process that allows you to return people here unlawfully without accepting that prices will also grant some people asylum.
“If we want to be serious about levelling up then we must be proud to be the party of wealth creation, unashamed to partner with the private sector.”
Starmer did not mention Reform but has laid out his strategy to take on Farage
14:56
David Maddox
The prime minister has given over a large part of his speech to taking on racism and talking about migration, David Maddox writes.
There is a motherhood and apple pie sense to part of this in that it drew the loudest cheers and first standing ovation when he attacked the far right and racists.
But there was a wider message for the country that he is willing to take on immigration seriously and bring down numbers.
He actually defends those concerned about migration numbers and promises to improve the processes.
There is no name check for Farage or his Reform party but Starmer is in effect outlining how they are going to take on the populist surge of support.
Country must move beyond ‘toxic’ debate on migration - PM
14:55
Salma Ouaguira
The prime minister has urged the country to move beyond the “toxic” debate about migration.
He said: “It’s about control of migration, it’s always been about control.
“That is what people have voted for, time and again. And look, they weren’t just ignored after Brexit. The Tories gave them the exact opposite, an immigration system deliberately reformed to reduce control. Because in the end they are the party of the uncontrolled market.”
ANALYSIS | Starmer tries to address grievances about the cut to Winter Fuel payments for pensioners
14:53
Holly Bancroft
In his speech to Labour conference, Sir Keir promised: “The cost of filling that [£22bn] black hole in our finances will be shared fairly. We will get the welfare bill down because we will tackle long term sickness and get people back to work, Holly Bancroft writes.
“We will make every penny work for you. We will route out waste and go after tax avoiders.”He promised to do this “in a Labour way”.
He addressed doubters, saying: “If you can’t take that on faith, perhaps because you are concerned about the winter fuel allowance, then I get that – if this path was popular or easy we would have walked it already.
“But the risk of showing to the world… that this country doesn’t fund its policies properly. That is a risk we can never take again.”
His comments come after government statistics revealed this morning that over 11 million people are in receipt of winter fuel payments.Sir Keir said “stabilising our economy is the first step of this long term plan.”
He said that this would allow the government to “secure the triple lock so that every pensioner in this country, every pensioner, will be better off with Labour”.
Sir Keir Starmer fleshes out his ‘tough choices’ mantra
14:51
Archie Mitchell
Sir Keir Starmer has given the clearest explanation yet of the “tough choices” he is prepared to take as prime minister, Archie Mitchell writes.
Saying the time was “long overdue for politicians to level with you about the trade-offs this country faces,” he set out a list of examples from building new prisons near people’s homes to speeding up the processing of asylum seekers - including granting some asylum status.
The PM also indicated he is prepared to go to war with Nimbys, saying “if we want cheaper electricity, we need new pylons overground” and “some communities must live close to new prisons”.
Starmer condemns far-right riots: ‘Racism is vile'
14:50
Salma Ouaguira
Citing the far-right riots that engulfed the country, Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the violence and the “vile” racism.
He told conference delegates: “I will never let a minority of violent, racist thugs terrorise our communities.
“I have always accepted concerns about immigration are legitimate. It is, as a point of fact, the policy of this government to reduce both net migration and our economic dependency upon it.
“I have never thought we should be relaxed about some sectors importing labour, when there are millions of young people, ambitious and highly talented, who are desperate to work and contribute to their community.
“Trust me, there are plenty of examples of apprenticeship starts going down at the very same that visa applications for the same skills are going up, and so we will get tough on this.
“But conference, whatever anyone thinks about immigration, I will never accept the argument made not just by the usual suspects, also by people who should have known better, who said that millions of people concerned about immigration are one and the same thing as the people who smashed up businesses, who targeted mosques, attempted to burn refugees, scrawled racist graffiti over walls, Nazi salutes at the cenotaph, attacked NHS nurses.”
Starmer insists pensioners will be ‘better off’ with Labour
14:45
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has now touched upon a controversial subject, his government’s decision to cut winter fuel payment for pensioners.
Labour has faced fierce criticism for the winter fuel payment cuts with prominent MPs with party members voting to scrap the policy.
Defending the move, Sir Keir said: “We will rebuild our public services, protect working people, and do this in a Labour way.
“That is a promise. And if you can’t take that on faith, perhaps because you’re concerned about the winter fuel allowance, then I get that. As I say, if this path were popular or easy we would have walked it already.
“But the risk of showing to the world, as the Tories did, that this country does not fund its policies properly, that is a risk that we can never take again.”
PM: Tories left public services ‘on their knees’
14:42
Salma Ouaguira
The prime minister has accused the Tories of leaving public services “on their knees” as he blames the previous government for the prisons overcrowding.
It is worth noting the early-release scheme was a policy introduced by the Conservatives before the snap election was called.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “I know, after everything you’ve been through, how hard it is to hear a politician ask for more.
“But deep down, I think you also know that our country does need a long-term plan and that we can’t turn back.”
Starmer takes aim at the Tories during speech
14:38
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has now moved to the Conservatives to condemn the previous government who “broke the very rules they followed”.
The prime minister said: “People ask us now, as we seek patience in pursuit of national renewal ‘What will we get to show for it?’
“And I understand that. After all, what they are used to is a lie. An act, a charade, a performance. You can call it populism, many people do. But I prefer to call it the politics of easy answers.
“Because at its core that’s what it is. A deliberate refusal to countenance tough decisions. Because the political pain is just too much to fear.”
Slamming Rishi Sunak’s deportation scheme, he said: “Rwanda was never supposed to work, It was never a credible option.”
He added: “The state of our country is on them.”
GB Energy to be based in Aberdeen
14:34
Salma Ouaguira
Labour’s new state-owned green energy company GB Energy will be based in Aberdeen, the prime minister has confirmed.
He said: “This is how the work of change happens. A decisive mission-led government moving our country forward, step by step, focused on a clear, long-term plan.
“That first, we stabilise our economy, second, we fix thef oundations, and third, we build, with pride and determination, a Britain that belongs to you.”
Starmer looking older and glum
14:32
David Maddox
For all the celebratory language at the start of his speech, the prime minister looks far from happy, David Maddox writes.
Just 10 weeks in power has made him look older and he looks serious even glum on the stage even as the audience cheers and applauds.
Riots over the summer, scandals over free gifts and squabbles among his top team have clearly not helped Sir Keir Starmer.
He appears like a man still struggling to come with the heavy weight on his shoulder that power and responsibility bring.
‘Homes will be there for heroes'
14:32
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has announced measures to build more homes and provide veterans of the armes forces with accommodation.
The plan was part of Labour’s manifesto during the general election under the “Homes for Heroes” scheme.
“There is another injustice hiding in plain sight in our streets. In every town and city in this country are people who were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, to put their lives on the line to protect all of us, but who will not have a safe place to sleep tonight.
“We cannot stand by and let this happen anymore. So today I can announce that this government will respect that service - we will repay those who served us and house all veterans in housing need. Homes will be there for heroes”, he said.
'Useless liar' Starmer hit by damning poll finding
14:29
Archie Mitchell
Sir Keir Starmer has been branded a “useless liar” by the public in a damning poll released ahead of his Labour conference speech, Archie Mitchell writes.
A Savanta word cloud showed the words most commonly associated with the prime minister were overwhelmingly negative.
We asked 2,000 people to give us one word to describe Keir Starmer. #Lab24 pic.twitter.com/q6VNqxaN5j
— Savanta UK (@Savanta_UK) September 24, 2024