Angela Rayner gives ‘cast iron’ promise of bill banning zero-hours contracts

Angela Rayner has given a “cast iron guarantee” that Labour would bring in a new bill to ban zero-hours contracts and repeal anti-strike laws within 100 days of a new government.

The deputy Labour leader, who leads for the party on workers’ rights, told the TUC’s annual conference that it was putting improving the lives of workers at its core, and would bring in a “proper living wage” to raise pay.

Her pledges came after claims from Unite, a major Labour donor and one of the biggest unions, that it feared some commitments to workers’ rights were being watered down.

But speaking in Liverpool, Rayner said the new deal for workers was “not a nice add-on” or “something just to keep the unions happy” but a package that was “absolutely vital to Keir’s missions going forward”.

“I come here with one message. The next Labour government will build an economy that works for working people, with a new deal for working people,” Rayner said.

She said Labour’s commitments for the first 100 days after taking office included banning zero-hours contracts, ending blacklisting, and repealing two “spiteful and bitter” major anti-union laws from 2016 and this year.

She also mentioned strengthening sick pay, fair pay agreements in social care and ending the gender pay gap.