Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, has launched a critique of the Green Party, asserting that a vote for them threatens newly introduced workers' rights, including statutory sick pay and parental leave, which come into effect on Monday. He emphasized that these changes represent the most significant enhancement of workers' rights in a generation, dismissing concerns from business figures as 'vested interests.' Among the new measures, the two-child benefit cap has been lifted, benefiting families in cities like Leeds, Manchester, and Birmingham, while the state pension will increase by 4.8% to £241.30 per week. Starmer highlighted Labour's commitment to a serious economic strategy, contrasting it with the populism of rival parties as local elections approach on May 7. Polling indicates a tightening race, with the Greens and Reform UK gaining ground, each at 21%, while Labour trails at 17%. Amidst this, Starmer faces criticism from the left, particularly from the Unite union, which has expressed dissatisfaction with the new Employment Rights Act. The Conservative Party has criticized the lifting of the benefit cap, claiming it will cost billions and reward non-working households.