Author Archives: GovWorldMag

Andy McDonald MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, welcoming the resolution of the train drivers’ dispute with Southern Rail, said:

“This is great news. At long last an agreement has been reached. While the full details are yet to emerge, it is essential that any safety concerns have been comprehensively addressed and resolved.  

“Sadly, trust between Southern management and the workforce has reached an all-time low, but hopefully this agreement marks the beginning of a more inclusive way of conducting industrial relations in the future.

“Southern’s long suffering passengers will be delighted at this news, but equally they need to see the appalling standards of service, which they have endured for far too long, greatly improve, and do so quickly.”

Statistics released today by the Department for Transport show there has been an increase in the number of road users either killed or seriously injured. The number of killed or seriously injured casualties (KSIs) increased by 6 per cent last year – to 25,160. By DfT’s own admission, this change is statistically significant.

Between July and September 2016, the change was even more pronounced – KSI casualties increased by 8 per cent when compared to the same period in 2015.

All road user groups saw an increase in the number of people killed or seriously injured: car occupants, pedestrians, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists. There were also 2,070 children killed or seriously injured in the year ending September 2016 – an increase of 8 per cent.

Daniel Zeichner MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Minister, responding to statistics released today by the Department of Transport, said:

“These statistics are worrying. We want everyone to feel safe on the roads, whether they are walking, in a car, on a bike, on a bus, or using a motorcycle. It’s hugely concerning to see the increase in the number of children killed or injured in road collisions.

“Funding cuts to the police by this Tory Government have seen resources being diverted from road policing which inhibits the effective enforcement of penalties for dangerous drivers. If we are to make our roads safer, it’s crucial that road safety targets are reinstated and that police forces have the resources they need.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on today’s growth forecast from the Bank of England, said:

“While we welcome today’s growth forecasts, projections for wage growth in coming years have been cut. This will come as little surprise to those whose incomes are still below where they were ten years ago as a result of a rigged economy under the Tories.

“Yesterday the Resolution Foundation warned of the worst period of income growth for middle and low earners since the 1960s. After seven years of Tory failure, there is little sign of an end to the pressure on living standards for most of the population.”

“Only Labour will rewrite the rules of our economy and deliver the investment needed to rebuild and transform our country so that no one and no community is left behind.”