How trade unions have responded to John Healey’s speech at Labour conference

John Healey gave his first speech to Labour conference as Chancellor of the exchequer today (September 28).

In it, he made the case for sticking to the government’s fiscal rules and for welfare reform.

Alongside this, Healey also made a handful of substantive policy announcements – a local apprenticeship service and the restoring of the trade union learning fund chief among them.

The speech has triggered extensive debate about what it means for the direction of the government and the economy. Trade unions are among those participating in that debate. Here are some of the key responses from the trade union movement.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:  “Restoring the Union Learning Fund is plain common sense and a real boost for workers, businesses and the economy.

“The decision to scrap the hugely successful workplace skills fund by the previous Tory government was ideological and a disastrous own goal. The chancellor’s announcement today rights that wrong. 

“Britain is being held back by a persistent skills crisis. But we know the problem isn’t a lack of talent – it’s years of underinvestment in the skills workers need to adapt to a rapidly changing jobs market, especially with the increased adoption of AI. 

“That’s why this move is so important. Alongside an effort to get more young people into work, education and training, having proper support to ensure those already in the workplace can learn and earn is vital for a successful skills strategy. 

“There is a reason that many employers, providers and unions are united in support for this scheme. Every pound spent pays for itself over time – boosting productivity, opportunity and economic growth.

 “We will be working closely with our affiliate unions, government and employers to develop this scheme and ensure it is an even bigger union learning success story than the last.”

Dave Calfe, general secretary of ASLEF, made similar comments. He said: “We have just heard a cracking speech from John Healey, and saw the way that the conference floor rose to acclaim that announcement. The Tories took the chance for ordinary working people to learn away. Now Labour is bringing it back. It’s the right thing to do – for workers, for unions, and for Britain. In keeping with the rest of this conference, it gives us all hope again.”

Paul W Fleming, general secretary of the creative workers union Equity was more measured in his praise for the chancellor’s speech. He said: “John Healey’s speech shows that Labour is on a new track. Embedding trade unions in decision making and policy implementation across our economy is a good thing. And Equity welcomes the reintroduction of the Union Learning Fund, something that will benefit so many working people with skills for the future.

“It was welcome to hear the Chancellor recognise that our theatre and television, are, as he put it, ‘treasured the world over’. However, we would like him to build on that with government funding returning in real terms to the levels last seen under Labour in power. Our creative industries are drivers of growth in every postcode, and are at the heart of cohesive communities and a tolerant, vibrant civic society.

“On AI, the promise from the Chancellor that Britain’s workers can harness it and not be left behind does not fully meet our needs for personality rights to protect both performers and all across society from unauthorised – often malicious – digital replicas.”

Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development at Left Foot Forward