Anas Sarwar: Labour will give 'wealth and power' to working people

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has pledged that his party will deliver "the greatest transfer of wealth and power" for workers after the election.

Labour says its New Deal for Working People will scrap "exploitative" zero-hour contracts, end fire and re-hire practices, get rid of "anti-strike laws" from the Conservative government, expand sick pay and employment rights and deliver "a real living wage".

The package was launched by Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner in 2021 following consultation with the party's affiliated unions.

Sarwar's comments come ahead of the Glasgow MSP's speech at the STUC congress in Dundee. The trade union movement event will take place at the city's Caird Hall and run until Wednesday.

Roz Foyer, general secretary of the STUC, said the plan could be "completely transformational" for workers and tip "the balance of power" into their hands.

Sarwar said: "Labour's New Deal for Working People is opposed by the Tories at Westminster and by the SNP at Holyrood, but it will be supported and implemented by the people of the UK.

"The need for a government on the side of working people could not be clearer and that is what is on offer at this election, whenever the Tories pluck up the nerve to call it."