Peter Dowd MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, responding to the down grading of the UK’s credit rating by Moody’s, said:

“This is a hammer blow to the economic credibility of the Tories and Philip Hammond, who used to claim it was “critical” for the UK to maintain the highest credit ratings.

“For the second time under the Tories the UK’s credit rating has been downgraded, and on this occasion citing their lack of faith in the Chancellor to meet his own spending targets as a result of unfunded spending commitments such as the deal with the DUP.

“Only Labour has a plan for a strong growing economy underpinned by our Fiscal Credibility Rule. A Labour Government will provide much needed high-paid, high-skilled jobs to build a country for the many not the few.”

Andy McDonald MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, commenting on Transport for London’s decision to not renew Uber’s licence, said:

“All companies must play by the rules and adhere to high standards– particularly when it comes to the safety of passengers. 

“The type of arrangements used by Uber seem to be specifically designed so that the company can circumvent regulations and dodge their responsibilities, undermining passenger safety and workers’ rights throughout the industry. 

“Despite the Law Commission recommending the wholesale reform of taxi and private hire vehicle legislation more than three years ago, the Tories have failed to act. 

“Labour would overhaul the current regulations, so that it keeps up with the changes to technology, and further ensures a level playing field for companies, proper employment rights for all workers, and a good and safe service for passengers.”

The Government is still no clearer about what our long term relationship with the EU will look like – Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour party, responding to the Prime Minister’s speech in Florence, said:

“Fifteen months after the EU referendum the Government is still no clearer about what our long term relationship with the EU will look like.

“The only advance seems to be that the Prime Minister has listened to Labour and faced up to the reality that Britain needs a transition on the same basic terms to provide stability for businesses and workers.

“That’s because Theresa May and her Conservative cabinet colleagues are spending more time negotiating with each other rather than with the EU.

“The Tories have made clear they want to use Brexit to deregulate and cut taxes for the wealthy. Labour wants a Jobs-First Brexit that uses powers returned from Brussels to invest and upgrade Britain’s economy.”

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on the latest NHS Digital workforce figures which show a fall of 1071 in nurse numbers in the past year, said:

“The Government has totally failed in their planning of the NHS workforce. Cuts to training places and the disastrous pay cap have pushed staff to the brink and now nurse numbers are falling year on year because of the Government’s disregard for NHS staff.

“Just yesterday Jeremy Hunt said mental health would be a priority for the Government but even mental health nurse numbers are falling.

“It is essential that the NHS can get enough staff in place to deliver safe services for patients. The Government should immediately end the pay cap and give NHS staff the pay they deserve.”

Liz McInnes MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Office Minister, responding to the Government’s announcement that it plans to suspend military co-operation with Myanmar’s armed forces, said:

“Labour has been calling for a suspension of UK military support to Myanmar for several weeks now. So this is a welcome announcement, albeit a belated one, and we hope that it will serve as a precedent for similar action regarding ongoing UK support for Saudi-led military operations in Yemen.

“For now, the Government’s most immediate priority must be to build on this announcement by putting pressure on the civilian and military authorities in Myanmar, in co-ordination with our allies, in order to bring the horrific violence in Rakhine state to an end once and for all.”