Labour

Peter Dowd MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, responding to this morning’s ONS statistics showing a 2.3 percent increase in inflation and the national debt at £1.7 trillion, said:

“Today’s sharp increase in the cost of living means that after seven years of Tory economic failure, it is working households and small businesses who are taking the hit with wage growth once again below price rises. 

“As inflation breaks through the Bank of England’s target for the first time in more than three years, real earnings are lower than they were before the crash. At the same time this is a government that is handing out £70 billion in tax giveaways to the big corporations and the super-rich, but doing nothing for ordinary working people.

“The national debt is set to hit almost £2 trillion by the end of ten years of the Tories in government, and our NHS and social care system are in the worst crisis in their history. Only a Labour government will invest in our public services, create a fair tax system, and introduce a £10 an hour Real Living Wage.”

Joint statement from Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Watson

The shadow cabinet met today to discuss Labour’s policy and election plans and had a robust and constructive discussion about the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The shadow cabinet agreed on the need to strengthen party unity. It recognised the right of groups across the spectrum of Labour’s broad church to discuss their views and try to influence the party so long as they operate within the rules.

The leadership represents the whole party and not any one strand within it. No one speaks for the leadership except the leadership themselves and their spokespeople.

The shadow cabinet agreed our local and Mayoral election strategy and what a united Labour Party can and must offer the whole country after seven years of Tory austerity in terms of jobs, housing, education and health and social care.

We will fight for a Britain where people aren’t held back and where everyone in every community can lead a richer life.

Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party

Tom Watson, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party

Keir Starmer MP, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, commenting on reports that Theresa May will trigger Article 50 on March 29, said:

“Britain is about to embark on the most complex and important negotiations since World War II, so this a hugely significant moment for the whole country.

“Theresa May has repeatedly said that she wants to build a national consensus on Brexit, but it is increasingly clear she has failed to do so. Britain is now more divided at home and isolated abroad.

“It is also extraordinary that the Prime Minister has failed to provide any certainty about her plans for Brexit or to prepare for the clear dangers of not reaching a deal with the EU.

“Labour will hold the Prime Minister to account all the way, and argue for a Brexit deal that puts jobs, the economy and living standards first.”

Barbara Keeley MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Minister for Social Care, commenting on Panorama’s upcoming report on care contract closures, said:

“This is yet more evidence of this Government’s social care crisis.

“With £4.6billion cuts to social care in the last Parliament and rising pressures from demand, costs and wages, it is no surprise that an increasing number of care providers are finding it impossible to make their contracts work.

“The funding in the Budget for social care was only half what was needed for this year. It’s time the Government gave social care the money it needs and develops a fair, long-term funding solution to provide sufficient good quality and dignified care for those who need it.”