Labour in power would make, buy and sell more in Britain – Reeves
A LABOUR government would make, buy and sell more in Britain and award more public contracts to British businesses, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves will say today.
In her first major intervention since coming into the post, the Leeds West MP will promise that Labour would use the social and environmental clauses in public contracts to raise standards, mirroring the approach taken in other countries including France and the US.
As well as raising standards nationally and globally, this move would boost British business and create new jobs, Ms Reeves says.
Labour says its new proposal will seize the opportunities for the long term of the post-pandemic, post-Brexit economy and help to shape a more secure and resilient future for Britain, especially in the green and tech ideas of the future.
Among its policies will be asking every public body to give more contracts to British firms big and small, using social, environmental and labour clauses in contract design to raise standards and spend and make more in Britain.
Other proposals include passing a law requiring public bodies to report on how much they are buying from British businesses, including small firms.
Ms Reeves said: “As we recover from the pandemic, we have a chance to seize new opportunities and shape a new future for Britain.
“Labour will get our economy firing on all cylinders by giving people new skills for the jobs of the future here in the UK, bringing security and resilience back to our economy and public services and helping our high streets thrive again.
“That starts with our plan to make, sell and buy more in Britain. We want to build on the Britain of today, using what we’ve learned to create a better future.
“Post-pandemic and postBrexit, we should be rethinking how we support our businesses, strengthen our supply chains and give people the skills they need to succeed. The decade ahead is crucial.”