Richard
Burgon MP,
Labour’s Shadow of Secretary State for Justice, responding to the Court
of Appeal ruling on the unlawfulness of certain cuts to legal aid for
prisoners, said:

“This
Tory Government has got it wrong on prisons yet again.

“Our
prison service must be fit for purpose. That means a focus on rehabilitation
and keeping us all safe. Having a proper system for legal advice for prisoners
is an important part of the mix – only when prisons run efficiently can the
public have confidence.

“The
Tories promised a rehabilitation revolution, but have failed to reduce
reoffending because prisons are violent, overcrowded and understaffed.

“That’s
why Labour have tabled an amendment to the Prison and Courts Bill designed to
improve the necessary legal advice available in prisons.

“This
is part of a wider picture of access to justice denied under this Tory
Government. Their legal aid cuts across the board and Employment Tribunal Fees
have blocked access to justice for ordinary people the length and bread of the
country.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor,
responding to today’s IMF report on the downward trend in labour income
shares, said:

“Today’s
IMF report reveals the reality of seven years of Tory economic failure. 

“The
share of national income going to workers in wages has fallen since 2010. This
is yet more worrying news for working people who have suffered from stagnating
wages and a decline in living standards, with nearly six million people being
paid less than the living wage.

“That’s
why today Labour is announcing that  we will introduce a real Living Wage
of £10 per hour from 2020. Only Labour will ensure workers are able to share in
rising prosperity and higher living standards.”

Debbie
Abrahams MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting on the Government’s
reduction to the Universal Credit taper rate, which takes effect today, said:

“This
is too little, too late for those working families who face Tory cuts to
Universal Credit that will see some worse off by £2,600 a year.

“The
Chancellor is stealing pounds with his left hand and paying back pence with his
right. For some, including many self-employed workers, these changes will make
up less than seven per cent of losses from cuts elsewhere.

“Labour
is demanding the Government fully reverse cuts to in-work support that will
penalise millions of working families.”

John
McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to reports
that the Bank of England was involved in the Libor rigging, said:

“This is
an extremely serious revelation that contradicts past assurances about the role
of the Bank of England in the Libor scandal. 

"It goes
to the very heart of whether our financial institutions can be
trusted. Therefore, it warrants an immediate high level investigation, and
the Chancellor must act straight away to ensure this happens.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s
Shadow Chancellor, commenting on
today’s manufacturing and trade figures, said:

“Today’s
figures demonstrate the failure of the Tory Government’s industrial strategy.

“UK
manufacturing output has shrunk for the second consecutive month and our trade
deficit, on both goods and services, has widened for the second consecutive
month, getting 2017 off to a particularly worrying start.  

“It
is becoming increasingly clear that the Tory Government’s rhetoric on its
industrial strategy isn’t matched by reality.

“Only Labour, with a proper industrial strategy, and a plan for a
high-investment, high-skill and high-wage economy will deliver the trade and
export opportunities of the future.”