DEPUTY Prime Minister Angela Rayner hosted a landmark meeting between unions, business groups and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds today.

She hailed a “new era of partnership” as attendees including the TUC, Unite, Unison and GMB promised to “wipe the slate clean and begin a new relationship of respect and collaboration,” according to the Department of Business and Trade.

Ms Rayner said: “Our plan to make work pay will bring together workers and businesses, both big and small and across different industries, for the good of the economy.

“For too long the valuable insights of business and trade unions have been ignored by government, even on past decisions which have directly impacted them.

“Business and workers will always help to shape the ambitions of government, including our plan to make work pay, to ensure it boosts economic growth and creates better working conditions for all.”

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak described the meeting as “an important chance for unions and businesses to discuss the shared gains that the government’s reforms will bring.”

He added: “Together, we can raise the floor so that every job has the pay and security that families need to thrive, workers have access to unions, and good employers are not undercut by the bad.”

In opposition, some accused Labour of “watering down” its employment rights proposals after consulting with businesses, while the Conservatives said the reforms would harm the economy.

Concerns from some businesses about the impact of proposed changes remain.

Federation of Small Businesses policy chairwoman Tina McKenzie said it would be “crucial” for the government to “try and reduce harm to employment, small businesses and the economy from any and every negative impact of these proposals.”

But Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said only “bad bosses” would not want the initiative to succeed.

She said: “Britain’s problems are best solved when governments, unions and businesses work together.

“Lifting standards and making work pay will drive economic growth to deliver proper investment in essential services.

“The fair pay agreement promised in care will rejuvenate recruitment in a sector that’s long struggled to hold on to the workers needed to support an ageing population.

“Decent employers and staff across the UK know making work pay means a real change for the better.”