Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, outlined her priorities for addressing the housing and cost-of-living crises during her speech at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) conference in Brighton, East Sussex, on Monday. Returning to government in July after her resignation from Keir Starmer’s cabinet in 2025, Rayner emphasized her determination to utilize her current position to deliver substantive change.

Speaking to delegates, Rayner expressed a commitment to tackling key social issues, including increasing housing supply, reducing rough sleeping, and enhancing local community empowerment. She described her agenda as a “council-house revolution” aimed at expanding affordable housing and improving support for renters and leaseholders. Proposals on her agenda include capping bus fares, cutting energy bills, and raising the National Minimum Wage.

Rayner also highlighted government plans to implement the Employment Rights Act, which has been characterized as the most significant enhancement of workers’ rights in a generation. She praised trade unions for their role in securing the legislation, acknowledging their collaborative effort in overcoming political challenges.

The TUC conference also featured a speech by TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak, who reiterated his call for a windfall tax on major banks to help fund relief measures aimed at reducing energy costs for millions of people facing financial hardship. Nowak criticized recent tax cuts for banks under the Conservative government and noted that Britain’s four largest banks are currently generating over £1 billion in weekly profits.

Addressing the banking sector, Nowak challenged claims from executives that the industry cannot afford additional taxation, referencing the 2008 financial crisis bailout funded by taxpayers. He further urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to consider imposing a windfall tax on bank profits as a mechanism to subsidize energy bill reductions, aligning with Burnham’s stated goal of easing household costs.

Rayner’s remarks underscore the government’s intention to address economic pressures through targeted housing initiatives and worker protections, while the TUC continues to press for financial sector contributions to the cost-of-living relief efforts. The policy proposals come amid ongoing debates over fiscal responsibility and social support as public concern over inflation and housing affordability persists.