Labour

Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Andrew Gwynne MP, commenting on Nick Paget-Brown stepping down as Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: 

“It is right that the Kensington and Chelsea Leader has resigned after his handling of the Grenfell fire.

“It is clear that that the community has lost trust in their council, and Sajid Javid needs to finally show some leadership and make sure all residents are getting the support they need.

“The lack of management of this tragedy, from both local and central government, has been a disgrace – and Javid needs to call an immediate review into the council’s corporate governance with a view to sending in commissioners to take control of the council.”

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, has today (Friday) written to the Prime Minister asking for the terms of the Grenfell fire inquiry to be broadened and for residents to be heard throughout the process.

In his letter, Jeremy expresses concern at the narrow terms of reference, saying: “it is clear to me from talking to Grenfell residents that their concerns and questions stretch beyond these narrow terms.”

The Labour Leader suggests conducting a “two part inquiry, with the first part looking at the specific issues around Grenfell and reporting back quickly and the second part looking at the national issues.”

Jeremy also urges an interim report, writing: “ongoing uncertainty and long delays would add to the trauma Grenfell residents and victims’ families have already experienced.”

Jeremy also asks the Prime Minister to commit to taking action now on areas not related to the outcome of the inquiry, including identifying all those missing or dead, amnesty for victims concerned at immigration status, providing permanent in-borough accommodation to all residents, committing up-front funding for councils, and overhauling building regulations.

The letter is attached and published in full here  http://www.labour.org.uk/page/-/PDFs/Letter%20to%20The%20Prime%20Minister%20on%20Grenfell%2030.06.17.pdf  

Commenting on the adjournment of Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council’s cabinet meeting last night, Andrew Gwynne MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said:

“It is completely unacceptable that Kensington and Chelsea would rather cancel their meeting than obey court ruling to provide for a basic level of transparency.

“I welcome that Sajid Javid has supported Labour’s call in urging for the democratic process to be open and transparent but the response from the Government falls short of actually doing anything to address the utter chaos in the way this tragedy has been handled.  

“Sajid Javid needs to immediately ensure that all residents who are now homeless or in temporary accommodation are getting the support they need, and undertake an immediate review into the adequacy of corporate governance with a view to sending in commissioners to take control of the council if necessary.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on today’s ONS publications that show the savings rate falling, the trade deficit growing, sluggish growth in consumer spending and falling wages, said:

“These figures are very concerning, with the trade deficit growing at a time when we are negotiating our exit from the EU further exposing the lack of direction at the top of government.

“What is deeply worrying, in a week when we have also seen figures on soaring consumer borrowing, is that today’s data show a stark drop in savings alongside sluggish growth in consumer spending and a fall in disposable income. This suggests that the crisis in earnings not keeping up with prices means that many working households are struggling to make ends meet.

“Only a Labour government will introduce a £10 per hour minimum wage and build a high wage, high skill economy of the future.”

Commenting on the news that talks to restore power-sharing at Stormont have been extended to Monday, Owen Smith MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said:

“I am concerned that a deal has not been reached for today’s deadline but I welcome the news that the parties are continuing their intensive discussions over the next few days. It is the right decision by the Secretary of State to hold open the door for further negotiations if there is a chance that a deal can still be reached.

“If there is no further progress over the weekend, however, the Secretary of State must come to Parliament on Monday to explain what additional steps he intends to take to ensure a stable government can be re-established at Stormont.”