Labour

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to the EU investigation into the UK’s “controlled foreign company” schemes, said:

“The new EU investigation into the controlled foreign company tax dodge opened up by the Conservatives vindicates Labour’s demands for its closure and blows Tory claims to be targeting tax avoidance out of the water.

“Far from clamping down on tax dodgers, Conservative-led governments have made it easier for tax avoiders to duck their obligations to society and not pay their fair share of tax.

“Labour’s election manifesto demanded the closure of the controlled foreign company loophole and only Labour will take the tough action needed to end the scourge of tax avoidance and build an economy for the many, not the few.”

Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, commenting on Ministry of Justice data which reveals a record number of assaults in prisons, said: 

“Once again we see how Conservatives’ cuts are creating a crisis in our prisons. Every few months we get a new record for the number of assaults as the Government’s cutting of prisons budgets and staff bites. It is scandalous that we now have an assault every 20 minutes in our prisons.

“Government policies that have led to severe overcrowding and cutting of more than 6,000 prison officers are squarely to blame for this situation. Yet one in three prisons suffered further cuts in officer numbers in the first six months of this year alone.

“When prisoners can’t be let out of their cells for 23 hours a day due to soaring violence and under-staffing, it makes a mockery of the Government’s claims that it is turning prisons into places of education and reform.” 

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, speaking in response to the release of Home office data, said:

“This serious discrimination is widespread. It is unacceptable that the Home Office’s own report states that the level of discrimination is little changed from previous years.

“The Prime Minister says she wants to tackle burning injustices. But this Tory Government is presiding over a policing system which still discriminates against black people. Warm words are not enough. It is long past time that the government acted to address these unacceptable disparities.” 

Debbie Abrahams MP, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting on the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, said:

 “Year after year people are worse off. Earnings have fallen again and real wages are lower than they were a decade ago.

“This Government has fundamentally failed working people with over 7 million people now living in poverty in a working household.

“It has also failed women, who are still being paid on average nearly 20% less than men.   

“The next Labour Government will immediately give millions a pay rise by introducing a £10 per hour real living wage, scrapping the public sector pay cap and taking action to close the gender pay gap.”

John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, responding to the House of Commons’ unanimous support for Labour’s motion to protect supported housing, said:

“Under pressure from Labour, Theresa May has been forced to backtrack on the Government’s ill-conceived plans for supported housing.

“Now, after unanimous House of Commons backing for Labour’s motion committing to safeguard the long-term future and funding of supported housing, any new Government proposals must reflect the clearly expressed will of Parliament.”