Author Archives: GovWorldMag

Emma Lewell-Buck MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Minister for Children and Families, commenting on the recent findings made by the NSPCC that 90 referrals are made per-week to local agencies over fears of sexual abuse, said:

“This is the latest evidence that demand for child protection services is going up, just as funding is being cut. The Government’s own figures show that spending on children’s services has already fallen by a tenth under the Tories, and we are heading for a £2bn shortfall by 2020. Ministers should cancel their latest multi-billion pound tax break for bankers and start protecting the most vulnerable children instead.”

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Angela Rayner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education, commenting on NEU survey showing Teachers’ pay being cut due to lack of annual pay rises and performance related pay progression, said:

“This survey is the latest evidence that the Tories have left schools and teachers in an impossible position. After imposing a pay cap that left teachers £5,000 worse off in real terms, they are now acting as if they have ended the public sector pay cap, but won’t give schools a penny to fund pay rises.

“If the pay cap effectively continues by the back door, it will only make it harder for schools to recruit and retain the staff they need to give every child the best possible start in life.

“The next Labour Government will scrap the public sector pay cap, with ring-fence funding to give teachers the pay rise they deserve, as we create a National Education Service and build a country for the many, and not just the few.”

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Debbie Abrahams MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, commenting on the Government’s response to Paul Gray’s second independent review of the personal independence payment assessment, said:

“It is clear the Personal Independent Payment (PIP) assessment process is not fit for purpose. Instead of supporting people, the process leaves individuals and their families lives in tatters. The recommendations from Paul Gray’s second review regarding improving trust and transparency, timely reporting and quality assurance have not been accepted in full. 

“There remains an evident distrust of the assessment process by sick and disabled people. This is no surprise with a record 68% of PIP decisions taken to tribunal being overturned by judges. The assessment process is getting worse, not better.

“Labour will scrap the Personal Independence Payment and Work Capability Assessments and replace them with a personalised, holistic assessment process which provides each individual with a tailored plan, building on their strengths and addressing barriers, whether finance, skills, health, care, transport, or housing related. ”

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