LABOUR denied media reports today that it was diluting its proposed new deal for workers’ rights.

A spokesman insisted there would be “no watering down” of the party’s plans despite detailed suggestions that it was intent on appeasing business concerns.

Labour representatives pointed to remarks made by leader Sir Keir Starmer at this week’s conference of shopworkers’ union Usdaw, where he said the “draft legislation is ready to go” as thrashed out at the party’s policy forum.