In a first for government, deputy PM Angela Rayner met with unions and representatives from the main business groups, including the CBI and Federation of Small Business, to discuss the ambitious Make Work Pay plans.

John Foster, CBI chief policy and campaigns officer said: ‘Politicians and businesses are united in wanting to raise living standards through higher levels of growth underpinned by increased productivity.

‘Creating the conditions in which businesses can invest and create jobs is key to this. Today’s meeting was a welcome step in beginning the constructive dialogue that can deliver solutions that will be both lasting and effective.’

Rayner wants to ensure ‘workplace rights fit for a modern economy, empower working people and deliver economic growth’, which Labour hopes to introduce in the first 100 days of office. This deadline is ticking closer as Sir Keir Starmer has already been in No 10 over 40 days.

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