The 2021 political party conferences took place against a backdrop of rising energy prices, a shortage of HGV drivers and the planned removal of the £20 uplift to universal credit, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as key national concerns. Labour used conference this year to highlight this looming ‘cost of living crisis’ but also to focus on internal party reforms. The Conservative conference contained few policy announcements, with the expectation that these would be forthcoming in the Comprehensive Spending Review, due to be delivered on 27 October. The Liberal Democrats opted to hold their conference virtually, fresh from their victory in the Chesham and Amersham by-election, and focused on education, unveiling a new flagship policy of £200 voucher for each child.

This briefing gives an overview of the key announcements at each conference, as well as setting out the new ministerial portfolios at the Department of Health and Social Care following the government’s September reshuffle.