How trade unions have responded to Andy Burnham’s conference speech

Andy Burnham has delivered his first speech to Labour conference as prime minister. With a running time of over an hour, the speech saw him set out his vision for the country in some detail and was littered with policy announcements.

Social care reform, repealing the ban on publicly owned water, electoral reform all featured, as did responding to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI).

What’s been the response from the labour movement? Here’s a look at what trade unions have been saying.

Musicians’ Union general secretary Naomi Pohl was heavy in her praise for the speech. She told LFF: “I thought his speech was inspirational. Not a dry eye among our delegation. He has bold plans for the country and it felt something we could all get behind. We needed the hopeful message and a sense of more radical change, especially around the care system and our young people.”

She went on to talk specifically about his comments on AI and to call for greater protections for creative workers. She said: “I hope his plans for the AI sector will include a plan to ensure fair remuneration for creators and a plan to protect the creative industries as a whole. There isn’t a binary choice for him to make between the AI and creative sectors – licensing can work for everyone, but it must involve fair pay for creators and performers.”

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the teachers’ union NASUWT also praised the speech. He said: “Andy Burnham has delivered a powerful speech that will resonate with teachers and families who have seen the failings in our political system. We welcome his acknowledgement of the attacks on youth services and the hollowing out of public provision through privatisation which has led to shameful inequality in our country.

“The Prime Minister is right to highlight the need to invest in children’s services and improve access to mental health support. Teachers know that without proper investment and early intervention too many young people are often left without the help they need.”

However, he went on to add: “Teachers will welcome these commitments but they need to be backed up with action. The test now for the Labour Government, the test upon which they will be judged by the British public, is how quickly they deliver real and meaningful change.”

Fellow education union general secretary Daniel Kebede struck a similar tone. He said: “Andy Burnham is correct to say the country took a wrong turn in the 1980s. He is right to say the country needs a new economy and politics. He is also right to say things aren’t working as they should for working people.

“If the hope and optimism that he talked about today is to become a reality then the Prime Minister will need to tackle the vested interests of those at the top of society who have enriched themselves at the expense of the majority in the country.

“The Prime Minister’s call for a comprehensive education system, with parity between the academic and the technical, is welcome. But to deliver it will necessitate a new assessment and accountability system. It will require an end to the ideology that pits schools in competition against each other. It demands an end to the lack of democratic oversight of academies, and an end to the profiteering and excessive CEO pay. Above all else, schools need a cash injection to end 16 years of real terms cuts that has left 74 per cent of schools worse off in real terms than in 2010.

“Taxing the big tech giants and reform of the tax system should be part of the solution to funding education and public services.

“The NEU will support the Prime Minister in his endeavours where he delivers for education and working people, but we will continue to press this government where they fail to deliver.

“People need to see change. They need to feel change. Parents need to know that not only will their lives improve but the lives of their children will be better.”

And creative workers union Equity general secretary Paul W Fleming said that members of his union would “welcome” the action the prime minister has said he will be taking on the cost of living.

Fleming said: “Equity members will welcome the Prime Minister’s announcements on tackling the cost of living. The essentials impact everyone – water, energy, housing and healthcare, and the precarious workforce in the creative industries are often at the sharp end of the rising cost of these bread and butter bills.

“Burnham is right to talk up working class ambition and access. Nowhere is this more important than the creative industries which must sit at the heart of the growth in every postcode mission. We need to see a shift in funding levels and re-founding of the subsidy model to ensure working class artists can enter our industry and thrive within it.

“Class barriers to the performing arts and entertainment industries are many, from elite and expensive education and training, the cost of auditions and casting platforms, to precarious short-term work, low pay and long hours. A child in Old Swan has as much right to access a creative career as an Old Etonian.

“The Prime Minister said he will ‘put AI centre stage’ at the G20 next year. The central question is now how its risks are managed, and ensuring its benefits are for workers, not bosses.

“We strongly urge the Prime Minister and his government to introduce personality rights to ensure performers’ work is not ripped off and provide protections for everyone over the use of their voice and likeness.”

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