Andy
McDonald MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, welcoming the
resolution of the train drivers’ dispute with Southern Rail, said:

“This
is great news. At long last an agreement has been reached. While the full
details are yet to emerge, it is essential that any safety concerns have been
comprehensively addressed and resolved.  

“Sadly,
trust between Southern management and the workforce has reached an all-time
low, but hopefully this agreement marks the beginning of a more inclusive way
of conducting industrial relations in the future.

“Southern’s
long suffering passengers will be delighted at this news, but equally they need
to see the appalling standards of service, which they have endured for far too
long, greatly improve, and do so quickly.”

Statistics released today by the
Department for Transport show there has been an increase in the number of road
users either killed or seriously injured. The number of killed or seriously
injured casualties (KSIs) increased by 6 per cent last year – to 25,160. By
DfT’s own admission, this change is statistically significant.

Between July and September
2016, the change was even more pronounced – KSI casualties increased by 8 per
cent when compared to the same period in 2015.

All road user groups saw an increase
in the number of people killed or seriously injured: car occupants,
pedestrians, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists. There were also 2,070 children
killed or seriously injured in the year ending September 2016 – an increase of
8 per cent.

Daniel
Zeichner MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Minister, responding to
statistics released today by the Department of Transport, said:

“These statistics are worrying. We
want everyone to feel safe on the roads, whether they are walking, in a car, on
a bike, on a bus, or using a motorcycle. It’s hugely concerning to see the
increase in the number of children killed or injured in road collisions.

“Funding cuts to the police by
this Tory Government have seen resources being diverted from road policing
which inhibits the effective enforcement of penalties for dangerous drivers. If we are to make our roads safer, it’s crucial that road
safety targets are reinstated and that police forces have the resources they
need.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow
Chancellor, commenting on today’s growth forecast
from the Bank of England, said:

“While we welcome today’s growth forecasts, projections for wage
growth in coming years have been cut. This will come as little surprise to
those whose incomes are still below where they were ten years ago as a result
of a rigged economy under the Tories.

“Yesterday the Resolution Foundation warned of the worst period of
income growth for middle and low earners since the 1960s. After seven years of
Tory failure, there is little sign of an end to the pressure on living
standards for most of the population.”

“Only Labour will rewrite the rules of our economy and deliver the
investment needed to rebuild and transform our country so that no one and no
community is left behind.”

Keir
Starmer MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, speaking after the release of
the Government’s Brexit White Paper, said:

“Today’s
White Paper is indicative of the Government’s whole approach to Brexit.

"For
months they have refused to publish a plan or allow proper scrutiny, and when
they are finally forced to produce a White Paper it is rushed, limited and not
well thought through.

"The
White Paper offers no certainty for EU citizens living in the UK, no additional
detail on how workers’ and consumer rights will be protected, and nothing on
how full tariff-free access to the single market will be delivered.

"It’s
a wish list, not an action plan.

"Labour
has said throughout that there needs to be accountability and scrutiny
throughout the Brexit process.

"Next
week we will debate amendments to the Article 50 Bill that would achieve that –
in particular by guaranteeing a meaningful vote that ensures our Parliament
votes on the Article 50 deal before the European Parliament does. The
Government should welcome that, not reject it”.

Sarah Champion MP, Labour’s Shadow
Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, responding
to the Government’s failure to provide assurances that it will continue to fund
the national revenge porn helpline, said:

“Once again, the Tories are all talk but
no action when protecting women and girls from violence.

“The revenge porn helpline is an
invaluable resource for victims who are desperate to receive advice on how to
have indecent images removed from the internet and how to pursue a prosecution
if they so choose.

“Coming forward as a survivor of revenge
porn takes such bravery and we need to send the message that those victims will
be supported in every way possible.

“Labour is urging the Government to
maintain this vital, value-for-money service. Ministers must now clarify and
publish their continued funding arrangements for the helpline.”