Andrew
Gwynne MP, Labour’s Campaigns and Elections Chair, responding to Theresa May’s speech
to the Conservative Party Spring Conference, said:

“The PM
claims she has a plan for a fairer, more ‘united Britain’ but she’s pursing an
agenda which will do the opposite.

“As their
shambolic Budget has shown, the Tories have no plan to stand up for ordinary
people and their promises aren’t worth the paper they’re written on – they
break them whenever it suits them. Under them those at the top get tax breaks,
while middle and low earners are worse off, targeted for cuts and tax
increases. Far from building a stronger Britain, the Tories are undermining
what makes our country great, running the NHS down, squeezing our schools and
crushing aspiration. And their shambolic approach to Brexit risks a bad deal
for Britain, meaning we’ll all be worse off.

“Britain
is worse off under the Tories.”

Julie Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister
for Care in the Community, commenting
on the 20p increase in prescription charges, said:

“It
is disappointing to see the Government increasing prescription charges. While
20p may not seem a lot it will impact on those people who are already
struggling with the rising cost of living. At the same time the Government is
also increasing patient charges for NHS dental care, as well as raising charges
for wigs and fabric supports.

“The
rise in prescription charges is a reflection of this Government’s financial
mismanagement of the National Health Service. At a time when the cost of living
continues to rise the Government ought to be doing much more to help people
with the cost of healthcare.”

Andrew
Gwynne MP, Labour’s Campaigns and Elections Chair, commenting on the
unravelling of the Tory Budget, said:

“The
Tories are in a mess, riven by infighting and failure and disarray.

“They
have embarrassed themselves over the Budget, they still have no answers on
Brexit and they’re fighting between themselves rather than fixing the problems.

“Theresa
May says she has a plan and is sticking to it, but almost every day we see
another promise broken or another change of heart. Flagship policies are being
delayed or abandoned altogether while working people across this country bear
the brunt of the Tories’ incompetence.

“It is
now clearer than ever that Theresa May cannot give Britain the change we need.
Working people deserve
better than Tory failure – only a Labour Government will stand up for them and
their families.”

Ends

Rebecca Long-Bailey
MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary,
commenting on reports that Toyota is to invest in a UK plant at Burnaston,
said:

“The
decision by Toyota to invest £240 million to upgrade its Burnaston plant is
very welcome news. It is testament to the world-class workforce there whose
excellence, hard work, and efficiency makes the UK car industry so strong.

“However,
we should not be complacent. As the chief executive of Toyota Motor Europe
warned; continued, predictable and uncomplicated tariff and impediment-free
access will be important for future success. This is why the Government needs
to secure tariff and impediment free access to the Single Market and
Customs Union and re-enforce this with a coherent industrial strategy, which
invests in the supply chain, R&D, infrastructure and skills. Only by
doing this will the Government protect jobs in the UK car industry and ensure
the continued success of this sector.”

Nick
Thomas-Symonds MP, Labour’s Shadow Solicitor-General, commenting on
the Government’s failure to guarantee the SFO’s (Serious Fraud Office) future
as an independent entity, said:

“This
Tory Government needs to recognise the value of the Serious Fraud Office and
its importance to our international reputation for tackling cases of bribery
and corruption. 

“It
would be a grave mistake to dispose of the SFO and its unique structure.
Ministers must provide clarity on its future immediately.”