Labour

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to reports in Nursing Times that universities are reducing the size of their nursing courses in the wake of the removal of bursaries in England, said:

“The Government’s decision to remove the bursaries for health degrees is a terrible misjudgment. They have failed to deliver the extra 10,000 nursing places they promised and in fact some universities are now planning to offer fewer places.

“Applications for nursing degrees have fallen by 23% this year and now universities say they have not yet received enough responses from prospective students to fill the number of training places they are offering. 

“The Government has created a crisis in the nursing workforce which is causing chaos for patients. They should urgently revisit their decision to charge fees for health degrees before it is too late.”

Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, commenting on the appointment of Sir Ian Burnett as the new Lord Chief Justice, said:

“I congratulate Sir Ian Burnett on his appointment as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from October 2017.

“One of the Lord Chief Justice’s key responsibilities is representing the views of the judiciary to Parliament and the government.

“I look forward to working with Lord Justice Burnett in upholding the independence of the judiciary, which is a cornerstone of our legal system.”

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the acid attacks that took place across London yesterday evening, said: 

“The recent spate of acid attacks have shocked the nation, but sadly they are nothing new. With a steady rise in attacks since 2010 and a steep increase of 70 per cent from 2015 to 2016, it is clear that the Government urgently needs a new approach to tackling this heinous crime.

“Just like knives and guns, acid is being used in murders, robberies and rapes. The problem is the weapon of choice is often a common household product. With very few prosecutions it is clear that we do not have the tools necessary to investigate and prevent these attacks.

“While the Tories arrogantly insist that they have protected the police budget, the reality is they have cut numbers by over 20,000, leaving our forces overstretched as they work tirelessly to keep the public and our communities safe.”

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the launch of the Government’s new drugs strategy, said:

“Rising drug-related fatalities, drug crime and a cocktail of new drugs means that a new effective strategy is overdue. But this isn’t it.

“Commitments to treat addiction and tackle the social ills that accompany it are meaningless from a Government which has cut drug treatment services and centres. There is no new money now.

“At the same time, this Tory Government expects law enforcement agencies to deal with multiple new drugs and sources of supply, but has spent seven years slashing funding to the police and border force with further cuts in the pipeline.

“Warm words won’t tackle the drugs crisis. Resources are needed, and mustn’t be diverted from other hard-pressed budgets. Labour in government will tackle the drugs crisis and review the priorities to ensure they are appropriate.”

“This testimony was from a survivor was moving and very brave.

“She was very clear. The Government’s offer of a 12-month immigration reprieve is completely inadequate. Despite all they have gone through, it could still result in deportation.

“Labour is very clear. We continue to argue for a full immigration amnesty for survivors and indefinite leave to remain, which is in the gift of the Home Secretary. Otherwise survivors and their families may never come forward to get the support they need.

“The Government has already failed Grenfell residents in so many ways. It should do the decent thing and remove the threat of deportation hanging over a small number of deeply traumatised people.”