Rebecca Long Bailey MP, Labour’s Shadow Business and Energy Secretary, responding to the publication of several consultation documents rather than a long-awaited energy white paper, said:

“The publication of a slew of consultation documents, in place of a
coherent white paper, is evidence that the Conservatives are failing in
one of the central duties of government: keeping the lights on in a way
that is climate friendly and affordable.

“After waiting months for an energy white paper, and after almost ten
years of Conservative rule, you would expect answers rather than
questions.”

Ends

Notes to editors

It has been reported that the Treasury is blocking the energy white paper:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-12/hammond-poised-to-halt-plans-to-overhaul-u-k-energy-industry

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to the publication of the government’s ill health prevention green paper, said:

“There are serious questions for Matt Hancock to answer on why he has
slipped this important green paper out at this time. It looks like he
is trying to bury bad news and that he buckled under pressure from Boris
Johnson and the corporate lobbyists running his campaign.

“With advances in life expectancy stalling, infant mortality rates
worsening and health inequalities widening, this green paper is hugely
disappointing.

“Proposals to extend the sugar tax to milkshakes have been shelved
again and an expected levy on tobacco firms to fund smoking cessation
services appear to have been kicked into the long grass.

“The Tories have imposed £800 million worth of cuts to public local
health services and there is no indication these cuts will be reversed.

“Sadly this green paper is a missed opportunity, raises disturbing
questions about the role of lobbyists in watering it down,  and isn’t
worth the paper it’s written on. Only Labour will prioritise health
inequalities and fully fund public health services.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The government uploaded its green paper Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s today

Ian Lavery MP, Labour Chair, responding to the election of Jo Swinson as new Liberal Democrat leader, said:

“Jo Swinson sat at the top table of the coalition government and
voted for vicious attacks on the most vulnerable and tax cuts for the
super-rich and big businesses.

“Austerity couldn’t have happened without Liberal Democrats – leading
to shocking levels of child poverty, the tripling of tuition fees, a
homelessness crisis and rising food bank use.

“Labour is the only party that can stop the Tories, and transform Britain so that it works for the many not the few”

Nia Griffith MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, responding to the Defence Select Committee’s report ‘Shifting the Goalposts? Defence Expenditure and the 2% Pledge: An Update’, which shows that MoD spending has been cut by 25% since 2010, said:

“It is hypocrisy of the highest order for both candidates for the
Conservative leadership to talk of boosting defence spending when they
have consistently voted for budgets, which have slashed the MoD’s funds
to what they are today.

“This report highlights the severe and unprecedented cuts that the
Conservatives have made to defence since 2010. Instead of considering
what is necessary for our defence and security needs, Conservative
Ministers have delivered crippling austerity which has put unprecedented
strain on the men and women of our Armed Forces.

“You cannot do security on the cheap. The next Labour government will
ensure that our armed forces are properly equipped and resourced to
respond to wide-ranging security challenges.”

John McDonnell MP, Shadow Chancellor,
commenting on the pound falling after Tory leadership contenders Boris
Johnson and Jeremy Hunt said they were opposed to the backstop, said:

“The instability and uncertainty caused by the Conservative Party
leadership contest have real-world consequences. The commitment of both
contenders to a No Deal Brexit makes it even more important the
Government put an end to playing games with people’s livelihoods and
call a General Election now.”