Keir Starmer and the Archbishop of Canterbury have called for a major rethink of how the UK treats and pays its key workers.
Labour leader Mr Starmer said those keeping the country going had been worst hit by years of austerity.
And he said that must be put right once “we’re through coronavirus ”.
Archbishop Welby, who delivered his Easter message from his kitchen, added that the UK could not consider itself “a just society” if it missed the chance to make changes.
Mr Starmer said: “We can’t go out every Thursday and clap our key workers then return to business as usual.
“The job of the Labour Party is to spell out that vision of a better society.
“Lots of key workers... have been underpaid and undervalued for years. That cannot go on.”
Urging an end to austerity, Sir Keir said it had caused “great harm” and added: “Just look what it has done to the health service, public services, social care – all of these areas that are now so being relied on have been cut for 10 years.”
Archbishop Welby added to the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “There is hope and this possibility that wasn’t there before.
“Let’s honour those who have suffered, who have served for us, who have cared for us. We will then be a better and happier country.”
