London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Mar 14, 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
Middle East War Highlights Strategic Importance of Strong UK–Ireland Cooperation
Weak Growth Signals UK Economy Was Faltering Even Before Middle East Energy Shock
Marks & Spencer Tops UK Fashion Retail Rankings as Most Considered Brand
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Royal Navy to Acquire Twenty Uncrewed Surface Vessels for Autonomous Warfare Testing
Russia Summons British and French Envoys After Ukrainian Storm Shadow Strike on Strategic Facility
Starmer Confirms Britain Will Maintain Sanctions on Russia Despite U.S. Policy Shift
UK Moves to Refine AI Definition in Investment Security Reform
UK Economy Stalls in January as Growth Unexpectedly Falls to Zero
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
Iran Sets Three Conditions for Ending Regional War as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Tesla Secures Approval to Supply Electricity Directly to Homes Across Britain
Prince William Delivers Tribute to Australia’s Naval Alliance Amid Renewed Royal Spotlight on the Country
UK Foreign Secretary Travels to Saudi Arabia to Reinforce Support for Regional Allies
Putin’s ‘Hidden Hand’ May Be Assisting Iran in Conflict With Trump, UK Defence Secretary Warns
UK Sets April Deadline for Tech Platforms to Strengthen Online Protections for Children
Elon Musk Moves Into Britain’s Energy Market as Tesla Wins Licence to Supply Power
UK Watchdog Warns Fuel Retailers Against Profiteering Amid Iran War Price Surge
Report Claims Iran Used UK Charity Network to Expand Influence
United States and United Kingdom Establish Joint Standards for Counter-Drone Technology
Iran May Be Laying Naval Mines in Strait of Hormuz, UK Warns Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions
US Deploys Bunker-Buster Bombs to UK Airbase as Iran Conflict Intensifies
British Troops in Iraq Intercept Iranian Drones Targeting Coalition Base
Release of Mandelson Files Raises Tensions as UK Seeks Stable Relations With Donald Trump
UK Documents Reveal Starmer Was Warned About Mandelson’s Epstein Links Before Ambassador Appointment
Nearly Five Hundred UK Mortgage Deals Withdrawn in Two Days as Market Volatility Forces Lenders to Reprice
Three Cargo Ships Hit Near Iran as Attacks Spread to Strategic Strait of Hormuz
Why British Police Repeatedly Declined to Investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s UK Links
UK Parliament Ends Hereditary Seats in House of Lords, Closing Chapter on Centuries of Aristocratic Lawmaking
EU and UK Urge Israel to Act Against Rising West Bank Settler Violence Amid Regional Tensions
US Senator John Kennedy Says Keir Starmer Should Not Be Trusted for Military Advice Amid Iran War Debate
UK High Court Rejects Attempt to Revive Terrorism Charge Against Kneecap Rapper
Revolut Secures Full UK Banking Licence After Multi-Year Regulatory Wait
Kentucky’s Bench Boost Powers Wildcats Past LSU in SEC Tournament Opener
British Couple Die After Being Pulled From Water at Australian Beach During Family Visit
Global Energy Agency Announces Record Release of 400 Million Barrels to Stabilize Oil Markets Amid Hormuz Disruption
British Airways Suspends UK Repatriation Flights as Middle East Travel Disruption Deepens
US Forces Prepare Ordnance at RAF Fairford as Strategic Bombers Deploy for Middle East Operations
Nigel Farage Faces Criticism After Saying Britain Should Stay Out of Iran War
Landmark UK Trial Begins Over Sony’s PlayStation Store Pricing
UK High Court Rejects Bid to Challenge Britain’s Chagos Islands Agreement With Mauritius
Finnish Duo Triumphs in England’s Annual Wife-Carrying Race, Winning a Barrel of Ale
How U.S. and UK National Security Strategies Are Reshaping the Global Business Landscape
Green Party Gains Momentum as Labour Shifts Toward the Political Centre
Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Dragon Sets Sail for Eastern Mediterranean as Regional Tensions Rise
UK Homebuilder Persimmon Warns Iran Conflict Could Dent Property Buyer Confidence
Roman Abramovich Signals Legal Fight if UK Seeks to Seize Chelsea Sale Funds
×