Labour

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on today’s ONS crime statistics, said:

 “The Tories can no longer hide behind claims that crime is falling to justify their severe cuts to the police.

 “They have left our communities exposed, with police numbers the lowest on record at a time when forces are under unprecedented pressure from surging crime, an ongoing terror threat, and from covering for cuts to other services.

 “Labour will recruit 10,000 new police officers to restore neighbourhood policing and tackle rising crime.”

Debbie Abrahams MP, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding after the House of Commons unanimously approved Labour’s Opposition Day motion calling for a pause to Universal Credit Full Service said:

“It is welcome that the House of Commons has supported Labour’s call for a pause to Universal Credit. As I called for immediately following the vote, the Government must now act on the clear instruction of Parliament, by bringing forward plans to pause and fix Universal Credit Full Service, before millions are pushed closer to poverty.

“MPs from all parties recognised that, while it is positive that the Government has listened to Labour on the high cost of its helplines, this doesn’t go far enough.

“There remain very serious issues with the Government’s flagship programme, not least the six week wait for payment following a claim. These are driving debt, arrears and even evictions.”

John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, responding to a government call for evidence on whether a new system of regulation for letting and management agents is needed, said:

“In the face of a housing crisis getting worse by the day, this is a feeble announcement. This isn’t even a commitment to act, it’s a commitment to ask some questions. After seven years of failure on housing, Ministers need to do much better than this.

“Rather than just asking whether renters and leaseholders need better protections, Ministers should act on Labour’s proposals to end the building of new leasehold homes, cap rises in ground rents, and back our plan for new consumer protections for private tenants including a control on rent rises, a ban on letting fees and new minimum standards.”

Margaret Greenwood MP, Labour’s Shadow Employment Minister, commenting on today’s Labour Market Statistics from ONS, said:

“With a record number of working people living in poverty, the news that real wages have fallen yet again is deeply concerning.

“While the overall increase in employment is welcome, it’s also clear from today’s figures that too many people are struggling to find employment because of their age, ethnicity, disability, or where they live.

“The Tories’ cuts to in-work support are making matters even worse for working families. That’s why it’s so crucial the Government urgently listens to Labour’s call to pause the roll out and fix Universal Credit.”

Debbie Abrahams MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting on today’s Universal Credit statistics, said:

“The increase in the number of people on Universal Credit is worrying given the Government’s chaotic handling of its roll out.

“The Conservatives have finally listened to Labour and scrapped the premium phone helpline for claimants, now they need to listen to the calls of charities and councils and back Labour’s motion today to immediately pause and fix the roll out of Universal Credit, before more people are pushed into rent arrears, poverty and homelessness.”