Labour Party Conference 2023
Event was open to all conference delegates.
Making missions matter: what polling tells us about voters’ priorities for the economy
Date: Sunday, 8 October 2023
Time: 15:00-16:00pm
Location: Room 24, ACC, Liverpool
Partnered with: Progressive Britain
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have laid out their mission to grow the UK economy. But with millions of voters struggling with the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on their own finances, Labour faces a challenge in selling its economic vision. Unveiling new public attitudes research, the panel explored voters’ priorities for the economy and what Labour needs to do to win their support at the next election.
Panel included:
- Liz Kendall MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
- Yasmeen Sebbana, Associate Director, Public First
- Patrick Calver, Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Patrick Maguire, Columnist, The Times
- Rachel Wearmouth, Deputy Political Editor, New Statesman (Chair)
Building the future childcare system
Date: Monday, 9 October 2023
Time: 8:30-9:30am
Location: Leonardo's Hotel, Liverpool
A closed discussion was hosted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Innovation Unit, inviting funders, decision makers and civil society representatives to discuss how a Labour government could transform the childcare system by raising expectations from all publicly-subsidised provision and creating a more diverse range of innovative, not-for profit and social purpose providers.
Solving the housing crisis: What should the housing market look like under a Labour government?
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Time: 11:15-12:15pm
Location: Room 21, ACC, Liverpool
Partnered with: Labour List
An incoming Labour government will inherit an escalating housing crisis, with house prices and rents rising, house building stalling, and more and more people forced to rent expensive, poor-quality homes from private landlords. Labour have pledged to tackle the housing crisis and set out plans to boost supply, set a target for increasing homeownership, and meet the demand for homes from those banking on rising prices. But is this enough to get to grips with this key generational challenge facing the UK?
This panel considered what was really needed from Labour to deliver a bold and effective plan for arresting the housing crisis.
Panel included:
- Matthew Pennycook MP (Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning)
- Darren Baxter, Principal Policy Adviser, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Vicky Spratt, Housing Correspondent, The i
- Tom Belger, Editor, Labour List (chair)
Ending the need for food banks – Labour’s missing mission? JRF with Trussell Trust
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Time: 12:00-12:50pm
Location: Room 11c, ACC, Liverpool
Partnered with: New Statesman
Poverty and destitution are impacting millions of families and our whole society, putting strain on public services such as the NHS. Universal Credit should be a decent safety net to help us all recover from setbacks when we need it, but currently people are unable to cover even the cost of essentials, such as food and household bills. How can Labour speak to public concern around ‘broken Britain’ and ensure we have a welfare system that ends the need for food banks?
Panel included:
- Alison McGovern MP (Shadow Minister for Employment)
- Vicky Foxcroft MP (Shadow Minister for Disabled People)
- Katie Schmuecker, Principal Policy Adviser, JRF
- Amy Hart, social media influencer, food bank volunteer and Labour Party activist
- Anoosh Chakelian, Britain Editor, the New Statesman (chair)