The British Safety Council has extended its congratulations to the Labour Party as Sir Keir Starmer takes office as the UK’s new Prime Minister. The council expressed its readiness to work with the incoming Government to fulfill promises aimed at improving conditions for workers and enhancing the focus on health, safety, and wellbeing as economic growth plans are developed.
British voters headed to the polls on 4 July for the first general election since 2019. The results revealed a decisive victory for the Labour Party, which secured a substantial majority in Parliament, thereby ensuring Sir Keir Starmer’s position as the next Prime Minister.
Labour’s triumph comes after 14 years of Conservative Party governance, a period that saw five different Conservative Prime Ministers. The Labour Party’s platform of change resonated with voters seeking a new direction.
Commenting on the election outcome, British Safety Council chairman Peter McGettrick stated, “After years of political uncertainty and turbulence, the prospect of a more settled and stable political environment in the UK is welcome for businesses and workers alike. We congratulate Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party on their election success.
“We want to see people’s health, safety, and wellbeing at the heart of future economic growth, and we will be looking to Labour to deliver on its promises to improve employment conditions as well as support businesses to succeed and grow.”
Labour’s manifesto included several commitments impacting the workplace, such as the safe development of artificial intelligence, the creation of a single enforcement body for employment rights, improved access to training and apprenticeships for young people, and the establishment of ‘Skills England’ to aid in developing an industrial strategy. Additionally, the party pledged to support disabled individuals by enhancing employment support and access to reasonable adjustments.
“Labour set out positive and imaginative policies in their manifesto on work, technology, and growth, and we stand ready to work with the new Government for the benefit of people’s health, safety, and wellbeing across the UK,” said McGettrick.
In its pre-election Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Manifesto, the British Safety Council highlighted the critical role new and developing technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) can play in improving workplace health, safety, and wellbeing. The council called for investment in these technologies to be incentivised through a corporation tax credit, allowing businesses to offset up to 5% of associated annual costs.
“New and emerging technologies not only open up new prospects for greater prosperity and efficiencies, but they can also help protect people and prevent risks. However, we must ensure they are well regulated and governed,” McGettrick added.
Before the election, McGettrick had criticised the main political parties for their “lack of focus” on health, safety, and wellbeing in their manifestos. Following Labour’s landslide victory, he urged the new Government to “remember that wellbeing is broader than just mental health.”
He concluded, “We also want to see more support for training that promotes health and safety while upskilling our workforce to take advantage of new opportunities.”
Source www.britsafe.org
