“It’s about respect, dignity, empowerment” – Angela Rayner on Labour’s New Deal

When Angela Rayner spoke at the CMI Women Conference on 9 May, the shadow deputy prime minister shared a personal story to illustrate the power of robust worker protections and a respectful working environment. 

“We sat around the table with managers and negotiated flexible hours and equal pay,” she said, looking back at her time as a care worker. 

“It meant we could support each other to make sure that every hour of work was covered, providing an improved public service while also fulfilling our individual caring responsibilities. No one had to step back from work because of unnecessarily strict shift patterns that didn't benefit anyone.” 

The outcome, she said, “was good for the workers, and it was good for management too”.