Labour

Kate Osamor MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, commenting on the release of the National Audit Office report into aid spending, said: 

“We should be proud that British aid is transforming millions of lives and working to make the world more peaceful and secure. This watchdog report shows that DFID has become a world leader in preventing fraud and managing aid effectively and transparently. But under this divided Conservative government, Ministers are fighting each other for control of the aid budget.

“This report highlights how the ever-increasing proportion of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) now being spent by other government departments isn’t subject to the proper scrutiny or effective management that we know the Department for International Development (DFID) brings. The Conservative government needs to quickly make sure all aid spending by all departments meets key transparency criteria and is subject to scrutiny by Parliament’s International Development Committee.” 

“Only a Labour government will fully protect the independence of DFID and its world-class expertise and leadership. We will keep to our commitment of spending 0.7% of national income, and ensure that we spend that we do so responsibly and effectively.”  

Angela Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, responding to the publication of the consultation response to the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc), said:  

“The Tories have dragged their feet for months on releasing the responses to this consultation and it is clear why.

“It is essential that children have a firm grip of the core subjects at school, but it is just as important that all children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum which over two thirds of respondents highlighted is at threat under the Ebacc.

“The Tories need to return to the drawing board on the Ebacc and make sure it is delivering the excellent, well-rounded education all children deserve.

“If they were serious about delivering a broad and balanced curriculum for schools they would not be cutting their budgets or imposing a cap on public sector pay that makes it impossible for schools to recruit and retain the staff that they need.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to the IFS Living standards report, said:

“Today’s findings are a damning indictment of seven wasted years of Tory economic failure. The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) confirmed that working people face a crisis in living standards.

“With wages still lower than they were in 2010 and income inequality and child poverty set to increase to over 5 million, it is clear that under the Tories working people will continue to suffer from falling living standards. This is at the same time as official statistics show that wealth inequality has increased, with the wealth of the poorest falling while the wealth of those at the top has increased.

“Only Labour has a proper plan to raise working people’s living standards by delivering for the many, not the few, with the introduction of a Real Living Wage of £10 an hour, scrapping the public sector pay cap and reversing cuts to Universal Credit.”

“We welcome new advice from ICES on the condition of cod stocks in the Irish Sea and the news that they have returned to above the maximum sustainable yield trigger. 

“With the news that North Sea cod has received Marine Stewardship Council accreditation, fishermen are to be credited for working hard with reduced catching levels over the past fifteen years to help UK fish stocks to recover.

“Going forward, the UK must work collaboratively with the fishing industry and our European neighbours to deliver the best outcomes for our fish stocks, the wider marine environment and the industry, creating the minimum of disruption to our fishermen.“

“Our thoughts are with families and businesses impacted by the devastating flash flooding in Cornwall.

“I would like to pay tribute to our emergency services for their work and for everyone providing support to those affected at the multi-agency centre in Truro.

“Labour is calling on the Government to match its words with actions: to ensure that the Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service are provided with all necessary resources and that businesses and residents receive the support they need in the aftermath.

“In the longer term, the Government must ensure that its strategy on climate change mitigation and flood defence is fit for purpose and that climate change is not brushed aside as an afterthought during the Brexit negotiations, leaving communities to pick up the pieces.”