Labour

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on the latest Public Sector Finance figures published this morning by the ONS, which shows that £121.6 billion was added to the national debt since May 2016, said:

“These figures are a reminder of the chaos and negligence of both Philip Hammond and Theresa May over these past seven years of Tory economic failure; the deficit is still not been cleared as they promised it would be in 2015, and the national debt continues to rise.

“Regardless of their broken promises on the public finances they will continue to pursue a failed policy of austerity while handing out massive tax giveaways to big business and a wealthy few, yet enforcing spending cuts on our public services.

“However, there is no longer support in parliament for a continuation of their failed austerity policies, and if they cannot recognise this and change direction, then they should step aside and let Labour take charge.

“As only a Labour Government will set out a serious plan for the public finances with strategic investment underpinned by our Fiscal Credibility Rule, to help build the high wage, high skill economy of the future for the many not the few.”

£345 million cut for over 200,000 people with mental health conditions under this Government  

A new Freedom of Information response published today by the Department of Work and Pensions shows that over 200,000 people with mental health conditions will have their income slashed by Conservative cuts to Employment and Support Allowance introduced in April this year.  

This data flies directly in the face of the Prime Minister’s commitment to end the “burning injustice” of the treatment of people with mental health conditions.

With the cut to Employment and Support Allowance Work Related Activity Group amounting to a £1,500 reduction per person, these new figures show that over £345 million will be taken from the pockets of people with mental health conditions.  

Debbie Abrahams MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said: 

“These cuts to people with mental health conditions just go to show that you cannot trust a word the Tories say. 

“They have boasted about offering ‘parity of esteem’ to mental and physical health. In reality this just means equal austerity for all. 

“Labour is committed to reversing the Conservatives’ pernicious cuts to Employment and Support Allowance, as well as the cuts to Personal Independence Payments introduced by emergency legislation in March also affecting people with chronic mental health conditions.

“We want to transform the social security system so that it is there for anyone of us in our time of need.”  

John Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, commenting on new statistics showing that the number of government-funded social rented homes has fallen by 97 per cent since 2010, said:

“These disastrous figures show that Conservative Ministers have washed their hands of any responsibility to build the homes families on low and middle incomes need. The number of government-funded social rented homes built has plummeted by 97 per cent since 2010.

“After seven years of failure, the Conservatives have no plan to fix the housing crisis. A Labour government would invest in the affordable homes that the country needs.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on Philip Hammond’s Mansion House speech this morning, said:

“The Chancellor has made clear this morning that the message remains the same – austerity will continue. The Tories have learnt nothing from the General Election, and the last seven wasted years of economic failure. The Conservatives have no understanding of the depth of suffering, stress and insecurity their long austerity regime has caused.

“And we have seen the Chancellor again trying to distance himself from the position of his Prime Minister on Brexit. It just shows further disarray at the top of government. The fact that there is clearly such a serious split between Number 10 and 11 is very worrying and only helps to undermine our country ahead of the Brexit negotiations.

“It further shows just how weak a position Theresa May is in. And raises the serious question of: how can she negotiate Brexit when her own Chancellor is so publicly disputing her position on Brexit and briefing against his own Cabinet colleagues?

“The truth is that the Government’s spin of over a “hard” or soft “Brexit”, is just a smokescreen to paper over the cracks of the divide at the very heart of this Tory Government. The reality is that they are really planning a Brexit for the few by turning our county into a tax haven off the coast of Europe, which diminishes workplace rights and undermines working people’s living standards.

“Labour has called from day one for the Chancellor to act on gaining assurances over our stake in the EIB, and it has taken him a year to raise a finger; and now he has, all he is offering businesses in our country in way of support to mitigate any risks from the loss of this resource is a drop in the ocean from the actual support they will really need.

“Only a Labour Government will secure a Brexit for the many that will put jobs and the economy first, and ensure that working families and small businesses are protected from any challenges our country faces after leaving the EU.”

“I am shocked by this horrific and cruel attack in Finsbury Park, which is being treated as an act of terror.

“I offer my condolences to the family and friends of the man who has died, and our thoughts are with the people who have been injured, their family and friends.

“As the local MP, I have met with Muslim community leaders at the Muslim Welfare House alongside Islington Council Leader Richard Watts, the council’s Chief Executive Lesley Seary and the Metropolitan Police.

“Richard and I will attend prayers at Finsbury Park mosque later today.

“I appeal for people and the media to remain calm and respectful of those affected.

“In the meantime, I call on everyone to stand together against those who seek to divide us.”