Debbie Abrahams
MP, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting on the Annual Survey of Hours
and Earnings, said:

 “Year after
year people are worse off. Earnings have fallen again and real wages are lower
than they were a decade ago.

“This
Government has fundamentally failed working people with over 7 million people
now living in poverty in a working household.

“It has also
failed women, who are still being paid on average nearly 20% less than men.
  

“The next Labour
Government will immediately give millions a pay rise by introducing a £10 per
hour real living wage, scrapping the public sector pay cap and taking action to
close the gender pay gap.”

John
Healey MP, Labour’s
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, responding to the House of Commons’
unanimous support for Labour’s motion to protect supported housing, said:

“Under
pressure from Labour, Theresa May has been forced to backtrack on the
Government’s ill-conceived plans for supported housing.

“Now,
after unanimous House of Commons backing for Labour’s motion committing to
safeguard the long-term future and funding of supported housing, any new
Government proposals must reflect the clearly expressed will of Parliament.”

Keir Starmer MP, Labour’s Shadow
Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, responding to David Davis telling the Brexit select
committee that Parliament might not get to vote on the final Brexit deal until
after we leave the EU, said:

“David
Davis and Theresa May’s comments only add to the confusion and chaos over the
Government’s approach to the Brexit negotiations.

“Labour
has been clear from the outset that Parliament must have the final say on the
terms of Britain’s exit from the European Union before March 2019.

“Ministers
must urgently clarify their comments and accept Parliament will not be
side-lined.”‎

John
Healey MP,
Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, commenting on the Prime
Minister’s announcement that the Government will no longer cap housing benefit
for social housing tenants at the local housing allowance rate, said:

 “Once
again, Labour is winning the arguments and making the running on government
policy.

 “Ahead
of our opposition day debate later today, the Government has given ground, but
the devil will be in the detail – and the funding.

 “Labour
will continue to press the Government to protect the long-term future and
funding of supported housing.”

John
McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on today’s GDP
figures, said

“Today’s GDP
figures further confirm the impact that seven wasted years of Tory economic
policy has had on working households.

“Economic
growth for the majority of 2017 has been below what was expected. In recent
weeks leading independent forecasters have slashed growth for next year, and
the latest economic data shows wages are still set to fall behind prices –
squeezing living standards further.

“The UK is
not growing as fast as many of our trading partners in the EU or the USA, and
it is becoming increasingly clear that this government has to use next month’s
Budget for a change of direction.

“The
Chancellor cannot keep hiding from the facts, as his approach of carrying on as
usual is seriously putting working people’s living standards at risk.

“Labour has consistently called for increased investment
underpinned by our fiscal credibility rule, so that we can prepare our economy
for any downturn from the Tories’ chaotic handling of Brexit.”