May pledges to fight social injustices as prime minister

Theresa May has pledged to fight key social injustices, including women earning less than men and black people being "treated more harshly" than white people by the criminal justice system.

Speaking in Downing Street in her first public address since becoming prime minister, Mrs May said the full title of her party - the Conservative and Unionist Party - is a reflection of the "precious, precious bond" between the nations of the United Kingdom but also the union between "every one of us - whoever we are and wherever we're from".

"That means fighting against the burning injustice that if you're born poor you will die on average nine years earlier than others," she said.

"If you're black you are treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than if you're white. If you're a white working class boy you're less likely than anybody else in Britain to go to university.

"If you're at a state school you're less likely to reach the top professions than if you're educated privately. If you're a woman you will earn less than a man.

"If you suffer from mental health problems, there's not enough help to hand. If you're young you will find it harder than ever before to own your own home.

"But the mission to make Britain a country that works for everyone means more than fighting these injustices. If you're from an ordinary working class family, life is much harder than many people in Westminster realise."