SIR Keir Starmer thanked Usdaw members for their hard work during the Covid-19 pandemic in his speech to the retail union’s annual conference today.

During the online event’s second and final day, the Labour leader said he wanted to work with shopworkers “to build a better future” after the coronavirus crisis.

“I’m so proud of the work Usdaw members do,” Sir Keir said.

“As we recover from this crisis, we can’t go back to business as usual.

“We need to forge a future that is centred on justice and security.

“This country is crying out for change and we owe it to the British people to build a recovery that rewards their sacrifices.”

The conference also reflected on the unequal impact of the pandemic on women, disabled people, LGBT people and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Usdaw deputy general secretary Dave McCrossen said: “The crisis has highlighted the low pay faced by many — mostly women.

“[It has also] exposed the deep structural race inequalities that exist, and disabled people have been an afterthought in the government’s approach.

“Make no mistake, [this] unequal impact is no accident.”