Kate Osamor MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for
International Development, commenting on allegations that the British aid
budget has contributed towards human rights violations and terrorist
groups in Syria, to be aired tonight following a six
month Panorama investigation, said:

“Spent properly, Britain’s aid budget achieves incredible
results and we must not shy away from working in conflict-affected
countries. But if these allegations are true, British taxpayers will be rightly
outraged.

"We need to understand how the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office allowed this to happen, and why their mechanisms for properly managing
aid projects failed. The opaque Conflict, Stability and Security Fund that
financed this project also operates in 70 other countries – many with
questionable human rights records.

"This
investigation is likely to be only the tip of the iceberg: the
Government must now open up its books so the public can understand the true
extent of the problem.”

Debbie Abrahams MP,
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary,
commenting on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation state of the nation report,
said: 

“A 700,000 increase
in the number of children and older people in poverty is totally
unacceptable.

"The last seven
years of flat-lining wages and austerity cuts, now combined with sharply rising
costs of household essentials is a truly terrifying prospect for millions
trying to make ends meet. The cuts to Universal Credit, which were not
addressed in the recent Budget and mean that ‘work does not always pay’, will
push even more children and working age adults into poverty.

"Even the
Government’s own social mobility commission has resigned over their failure to
act.

"The Prime Minister should stand
aside, and let Labour deliver a £10 an hour minimum wage, end zero hour
contracts, transform our social security system and build the genuinely
affordable homes Britain needs.”  

Barbara
Keeley MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health, commenting on
the announcement of measures contained within the new Children and Young
People’s Green Paper, said:

“This
announcement leaves many unanswered questions, in particular whether the
reported funding will amount to new investment and whether the incentives
offered will lead to every school being able to offer proper mental health
support to their pupils.

“What
is clear, however, is that the Tories’ record on children and young people’s
mental health has been shocking, with a postcode lottery of provision across
Child and Adolescent Mental Health services and many long waits for
treatment. 

“The
Tories can only be taken seriously on children and young people’s mental health
by following Labour’s example and pledging to increase spending on these
services, ring-fencing budgets and ensuring children and young people have
access to a counselling service in every secondary school.”

Jon
Trickett MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, responding to the resignation of
the Social Mobility Commission board, said:

“As
inequality has grown under the Tories, social mobility has totally stalled.
Theresa May has rewarded the rich whilst holding everyone else back. It is no
surprise the whole Social Mobility Commission has resigned in frustration.

"Under
the Tories, how well people do in life is still based on class background
rather than on talent or effort.

"Labour will change our country so it works
for the many not the few.”

Jonathan Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow City Minister, responding to the RBS jobs cuts announcement, said:

“The decision by RBS to close 1 in 4 of its outlets is hugely disappointing. Not only will this result in the potential loss of 1,000 jobs, but many people depend on being able to use bank branch facilities in person. As the taxpayer continues to own 71% of the bank, its priority should be serving the best interests of UK customers.

“We are astounded that the Government has signed off on these proposals and urge them to reconsider such a drastic move which risks serious harm to local communities. Labour will change bank regulations to stop branch closures where there is a clear impact on local communities and businesses.“