Keir Starmer is set to deliver his keynote speech at the Labour conference, focusing on qualified long-term optimism and the need for tough decisions to drive economic growth and improve public services. However, reports indicate that the speech will also include plans for a crackdown on benefit fraud, with a new fraud, error, and debt bill aimed at saving the taxpayer £1.6 billion over the next five years by tackling fraud and reducing overpayments.
This initiative to tackle benefit fraud has alarmed the left, with some drawing comparisons to George Osborne’s rhetoric on social security from 2010. While concerns have been raised about the language used in discussing benefit fraud, Starmer’s speech is said to emphasize tackling long-term sickness and waste in order to make every penny work for the public.
The agenda for the day includes other key discussions on safe streets, stronger policing, and fixing foundational issues. The conference will feature speeches and debates by prominent Labour figures, such as Yvette Cooper and Shabana Mahmood, addressing various policy areas.
Overall, Starmer’s speech will aim to strike a balance between optimism for the future and a firm stance on tackling fraud to ensure taxpayer money is spent on rebuilding public services. The conference is set to address key issues facing the party and the country as a whole.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com