Angela Rayner used her address to the Trade Union Congress in Brighton to celebrate the Employment Rights Act, which came into force in December, crediting union leaders for helping shape legislation that expanded sick pay, paternity leave and other worker protections. The Communities Secretary's remarks come as unions push Labour to go further with additional reforms, while critics argue the changes have added costly red tape for businesses already struggling with rising expenses.

Rayner, who championed the bill before quitting as deputy prime minister over a tax dispute and later returning to government under Andy Burnham, told delegates she had delivered the legislation within 100 days despite doubts it was achievable. Conservative shadow business secretary Julia Lopez hit back, saying the act was deterring firms from hiring, particularly young people, and accused unions of seeking a return to pre-Thatcher-era influence. Rayner also used the speech to attack Reform UK over £72 million in donations from two crypto billionaires, warning that a Reform government would scrap workers' and renters' rights protections.