London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Oct 17, 2026

Labour pledge to 'build British industry' through state-owned investment fund

Labour pledge to 'build British industry' through state-owned investment fund

Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, will say on Monday that the proposal is a "real plan" for "growth", "the climate" and "levelling up".

Labour will pledge to "build British industry" through the use of a state-owned investment fund during the second day of the party's conference in Liverpool.

In her speech later today, Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, will set out the party's industrial strategy, which includes promises to invest in national projects from battery factories to clean steel plants.

She is expected to confirm that the projects would be funded by a National Wealth Fund.

The policy would mean that when money is spent on projects, British people would own a share of that wealth and benefit from the returns on those investments.

Ms Reeves will say the proposal is a "real plan" for "growth", "the climate" and "levelling up".

"Here is the deal: the next Labour government will create a National Wealth Fund so that when we invest in new industries, in partnership with business the British people will own a share of that wealth and the taxpayer will get a return on that investment," the shadow chancellor is expected to say.

"Because conference, when I say I want to buy, make and sell more in Britain I mean it.

"What you will see in your town, in your city, under Labour is a sight we have not seen often enough in our country.

"Cranes going up, shovels in the ground. The sounds and sights of the future arriving. Secure, skilled jobs for plumbers, electricians and joiners, for designers, scientists and engineers.

"Wealth that will flow back into your community and on to your high street. Wealth that the British people will own a stake in. Wealth that is invested in our country's future."

She will add: "That is a real plan for the climate. That is a real plan for growth. That is a real plan for levelling up.

"A zero carbon economy - made right here... made in Britain."

The party said projects will include eight new battery factories, six clean steel plants, nine renewable-ready ports, the world's biggest hydrogen electrolyser plant and net-zero industrial clusters in every region of the UK.

It added that every region in the country will get investment under the plan.

Ed Miliband, the shadow climate change secretary, said it is time for "an economy by the many for the many".

"It is time to take back control of Britain's economic destiny by making sure that we build the industries of the future in our towns and cities," he said.

Mr Miliband continued: "Labour's National Wealth Fund is based on a simple idea: that it is time to invest and build the wealth for this country, so we can lead the world in industries such as hydrogen, electric vehicles, green steel and offshore wind.

"This is about good jobs that pay well, with strong trade unions, and with money that flows back into the pockets of the British people."

Labour said its industrial strategy will boost economic growth, investment and employment rights through four "missions":

• Delivering clean power by 2030

• Harnessing data for public good

• Caring for the future

• Building a resilient economy

Labour will on Monday also announce plans to tackle concerns facing business and workers, including helping firms deal with "future shocks" and making Brexit work as part of the launch of party's industrial strategy.

A new statutory body, the Industrial Strategy Council (ISC), will report on Labour's progress against the strategy's missions to drive economic growth, including delivering clean power by 2030.

Jonathan Reynolds, the shadow business secretary, said: "In a clear break from the Conservatives' belief in 'trickle down economics' Labour has outlined the importance of sustainable growth and bolstered employment rights to economic prosperity.

"While the Conservatives are dusting off the same tired old policies that got us into this mess, Labour is looking to the future. Businesses and workers want a partner in government that can offer certainty, bringing with it the confidence to invest in Britain.

"Only Labour working in partnership with business and trade unions can deliver the fairer, greener future Britain deserves."

Another item to watch out for tomorrow afternoon is a conversation event between Sir Keir, shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell and former England footballer Gary Neville.

On the official first day of Labour's conference on Sunday, the party's deputy leader Angela Rayner pledged that an incoming Labour government would "oversee the biggest wave of insourcing for a generation".

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC Labour will reverse the cut in the higher rate of income tax if it wins power at the next election.

Around 660,000 of the highest earners on more than £150,000 will benefit from the scrapping of the 45p rate, getting back on average £10,000 a year.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former UUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years in prison for historical child sex offences
UK ministers adopt independent commission blueprint to fast-track AI in the NHS
Labour leadership orders local councillors to end power-sharing deals with Green Party
UK government considers regulatory intervention in proposed Sky and ITV merger
Environment Agency declares severe drought across six English regions as reservoirs hit critical lows
NHS England issues new guidance prohibiting transgender women from female-only wards
Norwegian teenager sentenced to 20 years for part of Iran-backed assassination plot in Britain
UK government threatens complete visa ban on Eritrea over refusal to accept deportees
UK Treasury lobbies UBS to move global headquarters to London amid banking sector tax threats
MI5 Warns of Growing Russian Sabotage and Espionage Threats Across Britain
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Plans Brussels Talks to Renegotiate Post-Brexit Trade Deal
MI5 Warns of Rising Russian and Iranian Sabotage Threats to British Military Facilities
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Closer EU Ties as MI5 Reveals Russian Brexit Interference
UK Orders Security Review Following Reported Killing of Former Politician Ann Widdecombe
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Meets German Chancellor Merz to Strengthen European Security Ties
Nearly 100,000 NHS Patients Treated in Hospital Corridors as England Braces for Winter Pressures
UK Government Rejects US-Russia Diesel Agreement and Reaffirms Sanctions Against Moscow
UK and Germany Agree to Deepen Security and Economic Cooperation Following Berlin Talks
British Prime Minister Burnham Pledges Closer EU Ties During Visit to Germany
UK Announces New Sanctions on 17 Russia-Linked Entities During Foreign Secretary's Ukraine Visit
UK and Germany Finalize Kensington Treaty to Strengthen Defense and Technology Cooperation
Britain Maintains Diplomatic Mission in East Jerusalem Despite Israeli Closure Deadline
English Councils Push Government to Rethink Proposed Funding Cuts
Scottish Homebuilding Falls to Lowest Level in 11 Years
BBC Chief Matt Brittin Defends Restructuring as Staff Challenge Job Cuts
UK Finance Warns High Energy Costs and Bond Yields Are Complicating Fiscal Outlook
UK Adopts All 44 Recommendations on Regulating AI in Healthcare
Chancellor John Healey Prepares Autumn Budget as Borrowing Costs Strain Public Finances
UK Investigators See Strong Indications of Iranian Link After RAF Fairford Security Operation
Laura Trott Pledges Tighter Controls on Political Activism in UK Classrooms
Welsh Ministers Launch Long-Term Review of North Wales and Anglesey Crossings
Welsh Government Orders 18-Month Study of Road Solutions Around Newport
Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin Faces Scrutiny Over £800,000 Second Home Purchase
British Households Grow More Concerned About Fuel and Energy Prices
NHS Leaders Warn of Rising Winter Pressure on Emergency Departments
Kemi Badenoch Proposes £2.3 Billion Employer National Insurance Cut for Young Workers
Middle East Conflict Could Erase UK Fiscal Headroom, Economists Warn
Manchester City Found Guilty of Multiple Premier League Financial Rule Breaches
UK Security Services Find Strong Indications of Iranian Role in RAF Fairford Incident
Costa Coffee Returns to Operating Profit on Iced Drinks and Menu Changes
Asos Warns Customers After Unauthorized Access to Retail App and Data
Kemi Badenoch Puts Growth and Deregulation at Center of Conservative Conference
Campaigners Warn of Deepening Social Care Crisis for Disabled Adults
Study Finds Rising Early-Onset Cancer Rates Among Adults Under 50 in Britain
UK Coach Operators Warn High Diesel Prices Could Force Route Cuts
FCA Opens Independent Review Into Handling of Epstein-Linked Whistleblower Case
Argentina Vows to Block Falkland Islands Offshore Oil Development
UK Chancellor Prepares Fiscal Measures and Welfare Reforms Ahead of Autumn Budget
Sainsbury’s and Morrisons Explore Potential Multi-Billion-Pound Merger
UK Weighs Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles to Align With European Union
×