Tag Archives: Labour

Andrew Gwynne MP, Labour’s Campaigns and Elections Chair, in response to the Sunday Times splash, said:

“The Tories don’t stand for working people, their record is one of failure and broken promises, letting ordinary people down at every turn.

“Under the Tories working people have picked up the bill while those at the top have has tax breaks. Wages have stagnated while in work support has been slashed. And public services have suffered huge cuts, leaving our NHS in crisis with longer waiting times, overcrowded ‎A&E departments and staffing shortages.
“The Tories’ promises to deal with energy bills should be taken with a huge pinch of salt. Time and again they’ve promised action but when it comes to it they broke those promises. Under them energy bills have soared. At the last election when Labour promised action the Tories opposed it, putting themselves on the side of protecting the big energy companies’ profits rather the interest of working people.

“Only Labour can be trusted to deliver a country for the many rather than just the few. All the Tories offer is broken promises and a record which has seen working people worse off.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to the Treasury announcement that it has sold all of the public’s stake in Lloyds Banking Group, said:

“Two days after the Chancellor shamefully admitted that he will be unable to sell RBS at a profit, he is now trying to claim the handling of Lloyds as a success despite having had to scrap his earlier proposed retail sale because returns were so poor.

“Philip Hammond needs to stop ignoring the elephant in the room of Britain’s biggest banking failure and get to grips with RBS. Only Labour will put in place the tough measures needed to reign in our banks instead of Tory tax giveaways on the bank levy and bankers’ bonus tax.”

Rebecca Long Bailey MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, commenting on the Government’s announcement of Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund investments, said:

“This is simply a re-commitment of R&D funding announced at last year’s Autumn Statement.

“R&D is vital for the UK’s future prosperity yet this Government have cut funding since 2010  and the UK remains significantly behind the OECD average of 2.4% of GDP in public and private investment in R&D.

“Labour is committed to bringing the UK in line with our international counterparts and will raise total public and private investment in R&D to 3% of GDP.”

Ends

Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, Kate Osamor, responding to Theresa May announcement on spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on international development, said:

“The Tories have been cutting the aid budget by stealth for years, and they are now arguing over whether to go even further by abandoning the international definition of aid.

“The Prime Minister needs to end this speculation immediately by confirming that the Tories would continue to abide by the definition set out by the OECD. Abandoning the globally recognised standard would undermine the purpose of the 0.7 per cent commitment and send a terrible signal to the rest of the world.

“The UK’s commitment to help the world’s poorest is vital and should not be being called into question in this way.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to Theresa May failing to commit the Tories to maintaining the pensions triple lock if she wins the general election, said:

“Only four days into the Tory campaign and Theresa May has refused to commit to maintaining the pensions triple lock, just as Philip Hammond refused to commit to it on Tuesday.

“Theresa May’s refusal to commit the Tories to maintaining the pensions triple lock only further proves the Tories are abandoning older people. It’s now clear pensions protections are now in jeopardy.

“Labour will stand up for older people by maintaining the pensions triple lock and by keeping the winter fuel allowance and free bus passes so that the elderly can go about their lives with the dignity they deserve.”