Labour conference: Corbyn vows to tackle inequality

Making his inaugural speech as Labour leader at the party's annual conference in Brighton, Corbyn pledged to campaign for a more caring society, to challenge inequality and put forward policies that are an alternative to public sector austerity.

He said a Labour government would tackle rising levels of homelessness and the shortage of social housing by building 100,000 new council houses a year, which would be paid for by a reduction in the housing benefit bill through lower rents.

Latest data from the Department for Communities and Local Government showed the number of families with children living in temporary accommodation rose 12 per cent over the past year.

Corbyn said: "A secure home is out of reach for millions. Private rents are out of control while a third of private rented houses are below the required standard.

"We need new homes that are affordable to rent and buy, and decent homes for families."

Corbyn also told party delegates that mental wellbeing "is an issue for all of us", and called for increased funding for child and adolescent mental health services so that greater emphasis is placed on dealing with problems when they first emerge.

"Three quarters of mental health problems start before 18 but only a quarter of those young people receive the help they need," he said.

"I want to challenge the government that parity of esteem for mental health becomes the reality and not the slogan."

Last year, the government pledged to ensure the care and treatment given to people with mental health problems is on a par with that received by those with physical health issues.

In his hour-long speech, Corbyn also warned that government cuts to tax credits would harm the children of families of low-paid workers, with some being up to £3,000 a year worse off as a result of the changes to the benefits system.

“There’s nothing good about cutting the support for children of supermarket cleaners,” he added.

He also vowed to challenge the government’s plans to repeal the Human Rights Act, which provides protection for many vulnerable groups including looked-after children, and replace it with a UK Bill of Rights.

Corbyn also reiterated the party’s opposition to the government’s free schools policy by stating a future Labour government would ensure “every school is accountable to local government”.