Housing Secretary Angela Rayner returned to the annual Labour Conference today after not attending last year. She delivered a powerful speech in the main conference hall, which was met with a huge applause and a standing ovation.
Ms Rayner's speech came before the Prime Minister delivers his this afternoon. She opened by saying: "It's good to be back at conference, back in government and back in Liverpool, England's second city - after Manchester of course."
The Labour MP appeared emotional before continuing the speech, telling the hall: "I don't cry often, but nearly. So good to be back. It's good to be back at conference, back in Government, and back here in Liverpool."
New powers for local leaders
One of the key things to take away from Ms Rayner's speech is confirmation that more powers will be given to local leaders to tackle homelessness and reduce the amount councils rely on temporary accommodation.
She told conference: "For those homes that sit idle and unused, we will make it easier for councils to bring these homes back into use for desperate families who need them.
"Sweeping away Tory barriers that hampered our local leaders from taking action. This is why I am also announcing more powers for local leaders to tackle homelessness and to ensure that they have the homes that their communities need."
The Housing Secretary said: "Our councils will be able to refer local homeless households to other social housing providers to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation.
"We will stop social homes from being lost when providers sell them by making it easier for councils to buy, and at the same time, we will introduce a new duty on public services to work together to provide a wraparound support to prevent homelessness before families reach crisis point."
Leaseholder fees cap pledge
She added: "When we say that we stand for more public control of housing, this is what we mean, giving power to those who know their areas and local people best, and who ultimately are accountable when families are left without a secure home."
Another key moment of the speech was when Ms Rayner said she had "unfinished business" as she pledged to place a cap on administration fees for leaseholders.
She told the Labour Party conference: "I have a bit of unfinished business – confronting the scandal faced by millions of leaseholders who have found their dream of home ownership turned into a nightmare."
Earlier today, Ms Rayner suggested pensioners could be "willing" to give up the triple lock if they know their money was going towards social care.
She then praised Andy Burnham for being willing to stake his political reputation on fixing a social care system in England which left people facing a "lottery" at the end of their lives.
