Labour Policy Forum Reaches Agreement on Ambition Programme Without New Spending Commitments

The forum brought together representatives from the shadow cabinet, rank and file party, and Labour-supporting trade unions.

However, some unions had been pressing for more generous pledges.

During the closed-door talks, compromises were reached to avoid giving ammunition to political opponents.

Labour leadership sources confirmed that they had been determined not to make any policy proposals that would lead to new spending commitments.

A spokesman for the Labour Party stated that the recent discussions proved that Keir Starmer has changed the party and is ready to change the country in government with a focus on economic responsibility.

One union, USDAW, which had hoped to change the benefits system, described the policy discussions as constructive, while the GMB union secured an historic commitment to strengthening equal pay rights.

However, the union Unite was less pleased, accusing the Labour leadership of watering down existing commitments to workers' rights and ending zero-hours contracts.

The union called for clear policies on workers' rights and criticised the policy-making process as chaotic.

The left-wing group Momentum also criticised Sir Keir Starmer's "fiscal conservatism", arguing that a higher minimum wage and free school meals would have been popular policies but were rejected.

Further discussions will take place with the unions before a final election manifesto is agreed.

However, the Labour Party leadership has emphasised that it will not promise what it cannot deliver in government.

The party is focussed on delivering a message to the wider electorate that it will not over-promise and under-deliver.