Labour

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, speaking after the release of police workforce statistics, said: 

“With over 20,000 officers lost since 2010, the Tories are risking public safety with these extreme cuts.

“They slashed police budgets in the last Parliament and are reducing funding even further now.

“The latest crime statistics show the true scale of the challenge our officers now face. This is the worst time to cut the police.”

Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, responding to GDP figures published today, said:

“While we welcome today’s Q4 GDP figures, growth for 2016 as a whole is lower than 2015, and lower than forecast by the OBR just two months ago in the Autumn Statement. It is clear that the Tories’ rigged economy simply isn’t delivering for the majority of people in Britain. Prices are rising but earnings are still below where they were before the financial crash. As a result, we have extremely high levels of household debt as people struggle to make ends meet on incomes alone. 

“Manufacturing is bumping along without proper support from government to power it through Brexit, even the Bank of England acknowledged recently that our economy was being driven by consumer spending rather than trade and export. This is clearly not a Government serious about making sure that we support British industry and claim a prestigious place at the world’s table as we leave the European Union. 

“Labour will fix our rigged economy with a real living wage, expected to be £10 an hour by 2020, and the long-term, patient investment we need to make sure that businesses thrive and that nobody and no community is left behind.”

Jonathan Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow City Minister, responding to the further fines for RBS from its involvement in mis-selling US subprime mortgages in the run up to the financial crisis, said:

“It is our hope that this significant fine will mark one of the final settlements in a dark period in the history of the banking sector. 

“We need a long-term plan: not just for RBS, which continues to face its own challenges, but to ensure that the culture and practices of our banking sector are centred on the customers they serve.

“Protecting the value of the taxpayers’ stake in RBS has to be the top priority for the Chancellor, while also rebuilding the reputation of British banking which plays such a crucial role in our economy.”

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to reports that the Government is considering taking direct control of Govia Thameslink, said:

“Reports suggest that the Government is finally recognising what Labour has been saying for over a year: that Southern is failing passengers and taxpayers and should be stripped of their franchise.

“It is wrong that passenger fares and taxpayer subsidy that should be used to improve services and hold down prices are siphoned off to fill the coffers of train operating companies who are providing a disgraceful service.

“There’s no need for the Government to prolong the suffering of Southern passengers any longer. Private rail isn’t working: it’s time for the Tories to admit defeat and take Southern back under public control as a public service.”

Jeremy Corbyn MP, leader of the Labour Party, commenting on a report by the Social Mobility Commission, said:

“This report underlines just how rigged our economy and country actually is in favour of the wealthiest and the privileged few. While the Conservatives look after the interests of their friends, they are closing down opportunity for the many by slashing funding for education.

“Labour is committed to a country that works for all, a real living wage of at least £10 an hour by 2020, investment in industry, infrastructure and public services and a national education service which equips the next generation with the skills our country needs to succeed, so that no one and no community is left behind.”