Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the
House of Lords’ report on the refugee crisis and ‘Operation Sophia’, said:

“The report paints a picture of failure in response to the refugee
crisis, but over 30,000 lives have been saved by Operation Sophia,
which is very welcome. The tactic of destroying vessels means that refugees are
coming in record numbers, but they come in ever more unseaworthy dinghies. The
risk of drowning at sea is increased.

“The report’s conclusions are correct. Future UK and EU action
should focus on tackling people smuggling at source and in transit countries,
and supporting sustainable economic development and good governance in these
countries.

“The Government has also not implemented the Dubs amendment which
would have secured 3,000 places here for unaccompanied refugee children. In
this Parliament, Labour will be pressing for the government to meet its
obligations in full.”

Sharon
Hodgson, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Public Health, commenting on the news there is to be an inquiry into how thousands of people
were infected with contaminated blood transfusions, said:

“The
Government’s announcement of an inquiry into contaminated blood is long
overdue. Labour will be working with campaigners to scrutinise the announcement
and make sure this inquiry finally delivers justice for the families of the
victims of this appalling tragedy.

“The
inquiry should deliver full disclosure of documents relating to the disaster,
through a process managed by the victims and should compel parties involved in
the scandal to participate fully. It must investigate not just the events
leading up to individuals’ infection, but the aftermath as well.

“There
are a number of recent allegations about the conduct of public officials and
the treatment of the victims which need to be fully and transparently
addressed. The victims and their families have suffered for too long and the
Government should provide every possible support to them in their quest for
truth.”

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, commenting on the
Taylor Report, said: 

“The Taylor Report was a huge missed opportunity to tackle
the growing problem of insecure employment.

"In Labour’s manifesto ‘For The Many Not The Few’ we set
out a 20 point plan to transform the workplace and protect and improve workers’
rights. By abolishing Employment Tribunal fees, scrapping zero hour contracts
and giving rights to all workers from day one, we would halt and reverse the spread
of exploitation in the Gig Economy.

"Theresa May says she wants parties to contribute
ideas. But when we asked her Government to give its support
to Labour’s Queen’s Speech amendment to give millions of public
sector workers a much needed pay-rise, the Conservatives voted against
it. 

"Only yesterday
Theresa May delivered a slap in the face to hard working
teachers by giving them another real term cut by maintaining the 1 per cent pay
cap.

"The Prime Minister now heads a zombie government that has
no ideas, no answers and no leadership. Her premiership has run out of steam
and she will soon have to deal with her own insecure employment.

"Only a Labour Government can deliver for the many not the
few.”

Andrew
Gwynne MP, Labour’s Co-National Campaign Coordinator, commenting on remarks
made by Anne Marie Morris, said:

“Anne
Marie Morris’ comments are outrageous and totally unacceptable. While the
Conservative Party has tabled a debate on Wednesday to apparently discuss and
condemn abuse of candidates in the General Election, these comments prove their
hypocrisy. 

"Theresa
May once spoke about changing the Tories’ ‘Nasty Party’ tag. If she’s serious
about that, she will admit it’s not enough for the Tories to ‘investigate’ and
will apologise and act immediately. If that means withdrawing the whip, that’s
what they should do.”

Ends

Tom
Watson, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and
Sport,
commenting on UK Music’s Wish You Were Here 2017 report, said:

“We
should all celebrate the huge contribution music makes to our economy. But we
mustn’t take it for granted. Without the right Brexit deal it could be harder
for overseas visitors to come and experience live music here in the UK, and
harder for artists to tour.

“Our
music industry wouldn’t be what it is today without the contribution of smaller
music venues – the ones that are struggling the most, but are crucial for
nurturing up-and-coming talent. We need to make sure they’re protected.
Labour’s cultural capital fund would invest in upgrading existing music venues
and creating new ones, to make sure that our live music industry remains a
success story.”