BITC responds to Labour Party Conference 2026

Following the Prime Minister’s speech at Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Amanda Anderson, Director of Place, Operations and Strategy at Business in the Community, said: 

“After 48 hours at Labour Party Conference, I left hopeful but in no doubt about the scale of change Britain needs to become a country where everyone can thrive. 

Devolution and place ran through almost every conversation: how we tackle areas with high levels of deprivation, unlock growth and respond to the reality of nearly 1 million young people outside education, employment or training. 

What I took from the Prime Minister’s speech was a call to rebuild hope through honesty, shared purpose and practical change. People need to feel the country working for them: protecting what matters, investing in their potential and giving communities greater control. His personal recognition of care workers, NHS staff and young people for whom life has been too hard for too long brought that message into focus. He also spoke about giving communities greater control over their futures. 

At Business in the Community, our place-based approach brings businesses together with local leaders and communities to agree priorities and act on them over the long term. National policy must give places room to respond to local needs, with business recognised as a partner in delivering change.” 

ENDS

Notes to editor

For further information, please contact Polly Dacam, Senior Public Affairs and Media Officer, on 020 7566 6638.

About Business in the Community

Business in the Community (BITC) champions responsible business as essential for long term economic growth and resilience.   
 
It is the UK’s leading responsible business network, working with companies of all sizes to tackle society’s most pressing challenges from climate change and place-based community regeneration to inequality, workplace wellbeing, and inclusive growth.  
  
Founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 1982, BITC has over four decades of experience in engaging business and delivering measurable impact in both business and in communities through evidence-based interventions. 

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