Keir Starmer has leveraged the introduction of new worker protections, effective from Monday, to criticize the Green Party, asserting that supporting Labour’s competitors jeopardizes advancements in sick leave, parental benefits, and zero-hours contract regulations.
The Prime Minister also directed criticism at business leaders and others opposed to what he referred to as the most significant enhancement of workers’ rights in a generation, rejecting the concerns of those with “vested interests” who had cautioned against these changes.
In light of the upcoming local elections in May, Starmer expressed his awareness of the challenges posed by the populist movements represented by Zack Polanski’s Greens and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. He emphasized that Labour’s “serious, credible economic strategy” differentiates the party from its rivals.
In an article for the Guardian, he stated, “No other party offers both the economic credibility and the political will to achieve this.” He warned that supporting any other party risks undermining the progress made, either by reversing advancements or adopting strategies that fail to meet the demands of governance.
Among the new measures taking effect on Monday is the removal of the two-child benefit cap, a crucial demand from child poverty advocates and Labour MPs. Starmer hailed this change as one of the proudest achievements of his administration.
Additional measures include a 4.8% increase in the state pension, raising it to £241.30 per week, and a 2.3% rise in the standard allowance for universal credit.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 grants workers the right to statutory sick pay from the first day of illness and ensures entitlement to paternity and unpaid parental leave from the outset of employment.
As Labour prepares for potential significant losses in the English council and mayoral elections on May 7, facing challenges from the right with Reform and from the left with the Greens, the party is keen to highlight these legislative successes. Elections are also scheduled for Scotland and Wales to their respective national parliaments.
Labour’s concerns regarding Reform have been ongoing since the last general election, but attention has increasingly turned to the Green Party following their victory in the previously secure Labour area of Gorton and Denton.
Recent YouGov polling indicates that the Greens are now in joint second place in Westminster voting intentions, following Reform. A poll released by former Conservative treasurer Lord Ashcroft showed a three-way tie between the Greens, Conservatives, and Reform, each at 21%, while Labour stood at 17%.
Starmer’s remarks suggest a recent shift to the left in response to pressure from potential leadership contenders like Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham. He noted the persistent opposition faced at every step of implementing these measures, which encountered resistance from some business leaders worried about “day one rights” that empower workers to claim unfair dismissals and request flexible work arrangements.
He remarked, “They warned of costs, disruptions, and claimed the timing was inappropriate. Yet, we chose to prioritize working people.” Starmer emphasized that every achievement made by Labour has been hard-earned against the backdrop of entrenched interests, with previous warnings proving unfounded.
The Prime Minister likened the introduction of these new measures to the Labour government’s establishment of the minimum wage 27 years ago this week.
Nonetheless, Starmer’s leadership has faced significant criticism from the left, particularly from Unite, one of Labour’s major trade union supporters. Its general secretary, Sharon Graham, has characterized the Employment Rights Act as “a shell of its former self.” Last month, the union notably reduced its membership fees to Labour, largely in response to the Birmingham bin strike.
The elimination of the two-child benefit cap, a policy instituted in 2015 by former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne, has drawn criticism from the Tories, who argue it will incur substantial costs and “reward worklessness.” They presented an analysis claiming that this change would result in over £1 billion annually benefiting 186,000 workless households, with families of two unemployed adults and three children set to gain £6,400 in income.
The Conservatives highlighted that these benefits would be concentrated in a few cities, such as Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford, and Glasgow, which would collectively receive an additional £200 million each year. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Starmer, stating, “While working people grapple with rising fuel and food costs, Keir Starmer is providing another handout to those on benefits,” suggesting the Prime Minister is succumbing to pressure from his left-wing backbenchers.
