Sarah Champion MP, Labour’s Shadow
Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, responding
to the Government’s failure to provide assurances that it will continue to fund
the national revenge porn helpline, said:

“Once again, the Tories are all talk but
no action when protecting women and girls from violence.

“The revenge porn helpline is an
invaluable resource for victims who are desperate to receive advice on how to
have indecent images removed from the internet and how to pursue a prosecution
if they so choose.

“Coming forward as a survivor of revenge
porn takes such bravery and we need to send the message that those victims will
be supported in every way possible.

“Labour is urging the Government to
maintain this vital, value-for-money service. Ministers must now clarify and
publish their continued funding arrangements for the helpline.”

Debbie Abrahams MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and
Pensions Secretary, commenting
on the Government’s ‘Fuller Working Lives’ strategy, said:

“It’s right that the Government is taking
steps to boost employment for older people.

“However, more than half a million
workers aged over 50 rely on in-work support – and that support is at risk of
being rolled back through Universal Credit.

“That’s why Labour is calling on the
Tories to reverse cuts to Universal Credit, which could see some older workers
worse off by £2,600 a year.”

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary,
commenting on the Government’s statement on Heathrow, said:

“Labour
has consistently been pushing for a decision on runway expansion in the South
East of England so after years of dither and delay, it is welcome that progress
is finally being made.

“However,
there are still outstanding issues including how Heathrow expansion can be
squared with meeting the UK’s climate change objectives and demonstrating that
local noise and environmental impacts can be minimised.

“This
can be achieved, but only in the context of a coherent aviation strategy that
works for the country not just London. It starts with confirming our membership
of the European Aviation Safety Agency, as well as action on cleaner fuels and
improving road and rail access to our international gateway airports.”

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to official UCAS figures
published today which show that applications for undergraduate nursing degrees
starting in September 2017 are down 23 percent compared with the previous year, said:

“The
Government have been warned repeatedly that cutting bursaries and funding for
student nurses would cut off the future supply of NHS staff. Now we have the
proof that those warnings were right – 23 percent fewer people have applied to study
nursing this year.

“Misguided
reductions in training places under the Tory Government, combined with a never-ending pay squeeze, have left the NHS dangerously short of staff. Patients are
seeing wards closed, operations cancelled and treatments delayed. Now the new
recruits which the health service so desperately needs are being driven away
before they’ve even started.

“The staff
are the lifeblood of our NHS. They give their all to keep the system going in
the face of underfunding and mismanagement by the Tories. The Government ought
to get a grip, show our nursing students that their time and commitment is
really valued, and give them the support they need when they’re setting out on
their careers.”

Andy
McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on
reports that reforms to the rail fare system will be trialled this May, said:

“It’s
welcome news that simplifying fares will be trialled but it is clear that this
is just tinkering around the edges. 

“Privatised rail has created a fragmented system with a jumble of operators
offering a complicated array of fares for passengers to navigate. 

“Passengers don’t want to shop around for tickets, they want to get from A to B
for the cheapest price. This is why Labour will bring our railways back into
public ownership, creating an integrated national network with simple and
affordable fares for all.”