John
Healey MP,
Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, commenting on the Prime
Minister’s announcement that the Government will no longer cap housing benefit
for social housing tenants at the local housing allowance rate, said:

 “Once
again, Labour is winning the arguments and making the running on government
policy.

 “Ahead
of our opposition day debate later today, the Government has given ground, but
the devil will be in the detail – and the funding.

 “Labour
will continue to press the Government to protect the long-term future and
funding of supported housing.”

John
McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on today’s GDP
figures, said

“Today’s GDP
figures further confirm the impact that seven wasted years of Tory economic
policy has had on working households.

“Economic
growth for the majority of 2017 has been below what was expected. In recent
weeks leading independent forecasters have slashed growth for next year, and
the latest economic data shows wages are still set to fall behind prices –
squeezing living standards further.

“The UK is
not growing as fast as many of our trading partners in the EU or the USA, and
it is becoming increasingly clear that this government has to use next month’s
Budget for a change of direction.

“The
Chancellor cannot keep hiding from the facts, as his approach of carrying on as
usual is seriously putting working people’s living standards at risk.

“Labour has consistently called for increased investment
underpinned by our fiscal credibility rule, so that we can prepare our economy
for any downturn from the Tories’ chaotic handling of Brexit.”

Angela
Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, commenting on a letter
from Government whip Chris Heaton-Harris MP to universities asking for the
names of tutors lecturing on Brexit and copies of their course syllabi, said:  

“This is yet another shambles from a Conservative
Government that doesn’t have a clue.

"It’s unacceptable for a Government Whip to compile what
looks like a register of Brexit heretics in the first place, but the Conservatives’
chaotic response has made things worse. First Number 10 tried to distance
themselves from him – remarkably claiming a Government Whip doesn’t speak for
the Government – only for Andrea Leadsom, the Leader of the House, to defend
his actions.

“This sorry episode reveals a Government in disarray and a Prime
Minister incapable of getting a grip.”

Diane
Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on the HMIC report on
modern day slavery and human trafficking, said:

“This
report is a damning indictment of this Tory government’s unwillingness to
properly resource our police and border forces.

“Modern
day slavery is complex and requires in-depth and sophisticated investigation.
But with the pressure of devastating cuts to police numbers and budgets it
comes as no surprise that investigations are prematurely closed and victims are
not identified.

“The
Tories have simply set our police forces up to fail, whilst the victims of
human trafficking and modern day slavery are left to suffer.”

John
McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, speaking after Treasury Questions today, said:

“Today
I called on the Chancellor to agree to vote with Labour in the House of Commons
in opposing a ‘No Deal’ Brexit if one was to occur. He refused to answer the
question.

"I
further asked him to at least agree to set out the principles of any transition
period after we leave the EU by the end of the year, as business leaders are
calling for this right now in order to safeguard jobs and investment. He again
refused to answer.

"It is
clear he is refusing to answer these very basic questions because he is too
weak to stand up to the reckless Brexiteers in the Cabinet. But he needs to
stop worrying about his own job and instead focus on the millions of people
whose jobs are reliant on a deal and a transitional agreement with the EU.

"If
this weak government cannot do this due to infighting in the Conservative Party
then they need to step aside and let Labour take charge of safeguarding jobs in
our country.”