Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the UK Labour Party stated that the country needs to “urgently face the challenge of automation” as new technological inventions such as robots could take over much “contemporary work”. 

Corbyn made the statements in a speech to his party's conference in Brighton.

"We need urgently to face the challenge of automation - robotics that could make so much of contemporary work redundant," Corbyn said. "That is a threat in the hands of the greedy, but it’s a huge opportunity if it’s managed in the interests of society as a whole. We won’t reap the full rewards of these great technological advances if they’re monopolised to pile up profits for a few."

"The tide of automation and technological change means re-training and management of the workforce must be centre-stage in the coming years," Corbyn said. "So Labour will build an education and training system from the cradle to the grave that empowers people. Not one that shackles them with debt. That’s why we will establish a National Education Service which will include at its core free tuition for all college courses, technical and vocational training so that no one is held back by costs and everyone has the chance to learn."

 In responding to Corbyn’s speech, TechUK deputy CEO Antony Walker said the Labour leader was right in stating that automation could bring societal benefits, but the UK must be “careful not to undermine the investment in digital technologies that will drive productivity and economic growth”. He added: “All political parties should be thinking about how we handle the challenges to come from accelerated automation. But it is too soon to be making assumptions about its impact on either jobs or the tax base. Care needs to be taken not to put a tax on productivity growth, which is so fundamental to raising living standards.”

In a speech earlier this year at the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) Business and Education Summit, Corbyn said people should not be afraid that new technologies would result in mass unemployment, “as long as it’s not left up to the market”.

Opposition leaders, including Conservatives have previously criticised Corbyn with Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke stating, that “taxing innovation and new ideas is economics of the mad house”.