Nia Griffith MP, Labour’s Shadow
Defence Secretary, responding
to the publication of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, said:

“I welcome the publication of the
National Shipbuilding Strategy and the commitment to the long-term future for
our shipbuilding industry. But as well as investing in our naval fleet, we must
also invest in the men and women who serve in our Royal Navy.

“Despite warnings over many years,
our Navy is facing a crisis in recruitment and retention. The Government is on
course to miss its own target for the size of the Navy and we simply do not
have enough sailors to crew our naval fleet.

“Experienced personnel are leaving
the Navy because of dissatisfaction with pay and conditions. If the Government
was serious about properly resourcing our Royal Navy it would lift the public
sector pay cap and pay our servicemen and women properly.”

Tracy
Brabin MP, Labour’s Shadow Early Years Minister,
commenting on the NAHT report on school readiness, said:

“This
report should make sobering reading for Tory ministers. It is yet more evidence
of a problem that has worsened on their watch. It is now incumbent on the
government to ensure their spending on childcare goes towards high quality
early years education, supporting children to get the best start in life.

“By
contrast, the Tories’ chronically underfunded 30-free hour childcare offer has
not only left too many parents not receiving the free care they were promised
but has seen many of the most experienced and highest-rated providers walk
away from the sector entirely. Ministers should take their concerns seriously
before the childcare sector reaches a crisis point.

“A
Labour government would provide genuinely free and high-quality childcare, with
all parents of 2-4 year olds entitled to 30 hours, and the investment needed to
deliver it in practice. We would also reverse the Tory cuts to Sure Start,
which the evidence showed was a highly effective programme in supporting
children to be school ready.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on the
Interim Report of the IPPR Commission on Economic Justice, said:

“The Commission’s findings drive home the deep problems of the
British economy, which have been gravely worsened by seven years of Tory
failure that has seen average wages fall and debt rise.

“The Tories have given huge tax breaks to the super-rich and giant
corporations, but failed to deliver the investment in infrastructure, skills
and research and development that are needed to create the secure, high-wage
jobs of the future. As the report shows, the result is an economy dominated by
insecurity and falling living standards.

“The Commission’s interim report is yet more evidence in support
of Labour’s transformational economic programme, with high investment across
the whole country supporting an industrial strategy and a wider spread of asset
ownership to build an economy that works for the many, not the few. I welcome
the Commission’s work and I look forward to seeing the final report.”