Tag Archives: Labour

John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, commenting on the latest rough sleeping statistics released today, said:

“It is a national scandal that in England in the 21^st century the number of people forced to sleep rough on our streets is spiralling upwards – and this is only the tip of the iceberg.

“These figures are a terrible reminder of the consequences of Conservative Ministers’ seven years of failure on housing.

“The number of people sleeping rough fell under Labour but has more than doubled since 2010, and has risen every year under the Conservatives. 

“This is a direct result of decisions made by Conservative Ministers: a steep drop in investment for affordable homes, crude cuts to housing benefit, reduced funding for homelessness services, and a refusal to help private renters.

“Ministers’ long-promised housing white paper will fall at the first hurdle if it does not set out how they will end the national shame of rough sleeping, as Labour has committed to do.”

Keir Starmer MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, commenting on the Government’s announcement that they will publish a White Paper, said:

“This is a significant and welcome U-turn from the Prime Minister.

“Labour has repeatedly called for the Government to publish a plan for Brexit before Article 50 is triggered and we made clear Labour would table amendments on this to the Article 50 Bill.

“This U-turn comes just 24 hours after David Davis seemed to rule out a White Paper, and failed to answer repeated questions from MPs on all sides of the House.

“The Prime Minister now needs to confirm that this White Paper will be published in time to inform the Article 50 process, and that it will clear up the inconsistencies, gaps and risks outlined in her speech.”

Sarah Champion MP, Labour’s Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, responding to a joint report from the parliamentary committees for Petitions and for Women and Equalities, said:

“All workers deserve dignity, safety and equality in the workplace and respectful dress codes must be part of that.

“The Government’s insistence that the status quo is adequate on this issue is clearly not true. This report is clear that many women feel compelled to wear discriminatory outfits at work or face disciplinary action.

“Labour urges the Government to undertake its own review into lack of compliance amongst employers in this area and to bring forward suggestions on how greater equality in the workplace can be realised.”

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Health, commenting on reports that GPs are drawing up plans to charge patients for evening and weekend appointments, said:

“The fairest, most efficient and most equitable way of delivering healthcare is to ensure it is publicly funded and free at the point of use.

“Reports that GPs are now considering introducing charging would allow wealthier patients to jump the queue. It is an intolerable consequence of Government under-funding of General Practice and the Tories’ wasteful re-organisation of the NHS.

“This is yet another stark revelation about the reality of Tory mismanagement of the NHS. The Prime Minister simply cannot keep blaming everyone other than her own Government for the scale of this crisis. Hard-working people don’t want an NHS where they are charged for treatments. Theresa May needs to get a grip and fast.”

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, speaking after revelations that confidential NHS patient data is being gathered by the Home Office to trace suspected illegal immigrants, said:

“This is unacceptable. We have already seen this government using schools to gather immigration data on children. Now we find they are using the NHS in the same way.

“Other public services should not be expected to cover for this Tory Government’s cuts to the border agency. People could be deterred from seeking medical care because they are worried their confidential information might be passed on. This could do irreparable damage to the people concerned and it may have public health implications. It should stop now.”