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.”

Tom
Watson MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, commenting on a letter accusing
the BBC of “pessimism” and “bias” in its coverage of Brexit, said:

“The
BBC is one of the world’s finest news broadcasters and we should all value its
impartiality, integrity and balanced coverage. It is the BBC’s job to report
the facts, not to be a cheerleader for any cause or party.

"All
politicians sometimes dislike the way some stories are covered, but we should
never seek to interfere with the independence of the BBC by publicly accusing
it of bias and making implicit threats about its future. 

"Theresa
May and Karen Bradley must make clear their commitment to the independence of
the BBC and distance themselves from attacks on it by politicians who have an
agenda the BBC does not and should not share.”

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.”