Labour

Julie Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, commenting on the new joint report on social care costs by Independent Age and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, said:

“Older people still face grave uncertainty over the cost of care because of the social care policy vacuum created by a Tory Government bereft of ideas.

“Having U-turned on their disastrous dementia tax policy the Tories failed to tell us what the level of the cap on costs would be and they are now using a long-awaited Green Paper to kick a decision on long-term social care funding into the long grass.

“Labour will ease the crisis in social care by building a National Care Service based on the principle of shared risk so no-one faces catastrophic care costs as they do now.”

Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Andrew Gwynne MP, responding to revelations that around one third of councils in England have been forced to cut services delivering contraceptive care as a result of cuts to public funding, said:

“Seven years of government funding cuts to services are driving councils to the financial brink.

“Continuing this neglect risks creating a crisis not only in local government but also in our health service.

“At a time when the country needs fresh ideas and leadership, it is instead suffering from the weakest and most divided government in memory.”

Ends

Peter Dowd MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, commenting on the Government’s announcement to delay the abolition of Class 2 NICs, said:

“The government has clearly tried to sneak this admission of their own failure out just before recess. This should have been announced in the House by a Treasury Minister. 

“This announcement only further highlights the chaos that there is at the centre of the Government right now, as clearly these proposals had not been thoroughly thought through before they were announced.

“But above all the Government needs to make sure that those currently paying Class 2 NICs, including many low-earning self-employed people, are not hit hard as a result of their abolition and replacement.”

Ends

Labour MPs call on Government to lower voting age to 16

Tomorrow, Friday 3 November, Labour MPs will be supporting Jim McMahon MP’s Private Member’s Bill to reduce the voting age to 16. This reform would enfranchise 1.5 million people, enabling them to participate in politics and have a say in the decisions that affect their lives and futures.

Votes at 16 has cross-party support, from the SNP, Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and some senior Conservative politicians.

The Bill would also introduce a requirement on Returning Officers to ensure steps are taken to register new voters and ensure schools teach pupils about democracy and citizenship.

Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, said:

“The fact there is cross-party support to lower the voting age shows that the political appetite for change is there. It has been discussed in the past, but now the time has come to make it a reality.

“This is the right thing to do to strengthen our democracy, and I will be working tirelessly with other MPs and young people to make sure we take this historic step forward.”

Cat Smith MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs said:

“It is ridiculous that 16 year olds living in Scotland can vote in local elections, but are denied the right to vote in UK General Elections. With the Welsh Labour Government also looking to extend the franchise to young people, the UK Government must act now.

“It is vital that politicians listen to the voices of young people. That is why Labour is supporting Jim McMahon’s campaign to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds.”

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John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to the decision today by the Bank of England to raise interest rates to 0.5%, said:

“Today’s decision by the Bank of England reflects the deep pessimism of many economists about the underlying state of the British economy after seven years of Tory policies, with productivity forecasts also likely to be downgraded by the Office for Budget Responsibility later this month.

“The Tories’ failure means real wages are lower today than in 2010 and still falling. The government must bring forward the investment needed to secure well-paid jobs, and follow Labour’s call for a £10/hour Real Living Wage to end poverty pay.”