Starmer guarantees workers’ rights package amid speculation of watering down

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the party is committed to progressing its new deal for workers in full if it wins the general election, following speculation it could be watered down. The party has said it will strengthen rights and protections for workers by banning zero hours contracts and ending fire and rehire practices. In The Sunday Times Lord Peter Mandelson, a major figure in Tony Blair’s Labour, wrote that changes to labour market and trade union law “must not be rushed” and “must be done in consultation with business”. When Sir Keir was asked if he could guarantee the workers’ rights package would be implemented in full, he said: “Yes.” The Labour leader added: “Let me tell you why, because I believe deep down that respect and dignity at work matters. “This goes back to what I said about my dad. It really matters that people feel respected, that they feel they have their dignity at work. “But there is an additional reason, and that is as every good employer knows, that if you do treat people with respect and dignity at work then that increases productivity, that increases the growth in your business and enterprise and...

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