Keir Starmer is set to deliver his speech at the Labour conference with a message of long-term optimism and a focus on economic growth, healthcare, and public safety. However, there is concern from the left about his plans for a crackdown on benefit fraud, which will involve a new fraud, error, and debt bill to save taxpayer money and tackle fraud. The legislation will give fraud investigators more powers, including compelling banks to hand over financial information and seizing property in cases involving organized crime. Starmer aims to ensure that every penny of taxpayers’ money is spent on rebuilding public services.
The left is alarmed by the crackdown on benefit fraud, with former shadow chancellor John McDonnell likening it to the rhetoric used by George Osborne in 2010. However, the language in Starmer’s speech suggests a more nuanced approach, focusing on getting people back to work and rooting out waste and tax avoiders, rather than demonizing benefit claimants. The initiative is a response to concerns about organized crime targeting the benefit system.
Starmer’s speech will also include plans for a Hillsborough law to empower victims of injustice and a pledge to tackle firms abusing visa rules. The conference agenda includes debates on safe streets, stronger policing, and fixing the foundations. Overall, Starmer’s speech is expected to convey a message of hope for the future, with a focus on economic recovery and public service rebuilding.
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