PM’s first 100 days: Retail trade union leader and TULO Chair welcomes Andy Burnham’s vision of hope and determination to deliver change

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “Andy Burnham hit the ground running with small but important measures that start to address the cost of living pressures working people face. He is also putting in place policies to tackle big issues like social care, growing numbers of young workers not in employment, education or training (NEET), along with struggling high streets and retail crime. We were delighted that his Government is re-establishing the Union Learning Fund, which allows union members to access lifelong learning services in the workplace.

“We want the Prime Minister to bring about significant change by sticking to Labour’s manifesto on workers’ rights, not least on guaranteed hours contracts. There is little point attacking welfare benefits, while low-paid and insecure jobs dominate entry-level employment opportunities. We also welcome the progress made on tackling retail crime and continue to call for Ministers to bring the standalone offence for assaulting a shop worker into force as soon as possible.”