TUC general secretary Paul Nowak called on Saturday for a stronger trade union movement to win racial justice, during a speech to the TUC black workers’ conference.

He told delegates that he had just returned from a visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

“Last week, I was in Ramallah, where I heard first hand about the situation facing people in the occupied West Bank, where aid and food has been deliberately cut off.

“I want to be very clear that we are calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and release of all the hostages.”

He added that the TUC was urging the Labour government to “recognise the State of Palestine.”

On the domestic front, Mr Nowak said: “This year must be the year the government makes good on its promises.

“They must deliver that change that black workers desperately need.”

He said improved workplace rights must be one of the priorities for ministers.

“The new Employment Rights Bill must be delivered in full to help tackle the deep inequality in the labour market,” Mr Nowak insisted.

He told the conference that tackling the far right was a key priority for the trade union movement.

“Last summer, we had those riots, with thugs dragging people out of their cars, weeks after Reform secured more than four million votes at the general election,” he said.

“We have to highlight the hypocrisy of politicians who claim to represent the working class but would sell off the NHS.”

Mr Nowak added: “[Reform leader Nigel] Farage is a fraud and does not represent the interests of working-class people in Britain.”

The general secretary said delivering on the movement’s priorities meant building “a stronger trade union movement.”

This is the most effective way for trade unions “to win racial justice,” he added.