Angela
Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, commenting on a letter
from Government whip Chris Heaton-Harris MP to universities asking for the
names of tutors lecturing on Brexit and copies of their course syllabi, said:  

“This is yet another shambles from a Conservative
Government that doesn’t have a clue.

"It’s unacceptable for a Government Whip to compile what
looks like a register of Brexit heretics in the first place, but the Conservatives’
chaotic response has made things worse. First Number 10 tried to distance
themselves from him – remarkably claiming a Government Whip doesn’t speak for
the Government – only for Andrea Leadsom, the Leader of the House, to defend
his actions.

“This sorry episode reveals a Government in disarray and a Prime
Minister incapable of getting a grip.”

Diane
Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on the HMIC report on
modern day slavery and human trafficking, said:

“This
report is a damning indictment of this Tory government’s unwillingness to
properly resource our police and border forces.

“Modern
day slavery is complex and requires in-depth and sophisticated investigation.
But with the pressure of devastating cuts to police numbers and budgets it
comes as no surprise that investigations are prematurely closed and victims are
not identified.

“The
Tories have simply set our police forces up to fail, whilst the victims of
human trafficking and modern day slavery are left to suffer.”

John
McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, speaking after Treasury Questions today, said:

“Today
I called on the Chancellor to agree to vote with Labour in the House of Commons
in opposing a ‘No Deal’ Brexit if one was to occur. He refused to answer the
question.

"I
further asked him to at least agree to set out the principles of any transition
period after we leave the EU by the end of the year, as business leaders are
calling for this right now in order to safeguard jobs and investment. He again
refused to answer.

"It is
clear he is refusing to answer these very basic questions because he is too
weak to stand up to the reckless Brexiteers in the Cabinet. But he needs to
stop worrying about his own job and instead focus on the millions of people
whose jobs are reliant on a deal and a transitional agreement with the EU.

"If
this weak government cannot do this due to infighting in the Conservative Party
then they need to step aside and let Labour take charge of safeguarding jobs in
our country.”

Bill Esterson MP,
Labour’s Shadow Business and International Trade Minister, responding to the publishing of
the Financial Conduct Authority Interim Report into the treatment of small
businesses at the Royal Bank of Scotland, said:

“The release of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Interim Report is
welcome news, but it is now essential the Government orders a judge-led inquiry
into the treatment of small businesses by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
 
“The news of a police investigation last week is also an important step in
ensuring the truth is discovered as part of a full and transparent process.
Trust between small businesses and our financial institutions needs to be
restored because their relationship is key to the success of the UK economy.

"The next Labour Government will stand up for small businesses by
providing them with access to finance through Regional Investment Banks so we
can build an economy that works for the many, not the few.”

John
Healey MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, responding to new
figures showing slowing growth in the construction industry, said:

“These
figures show a worrying slowdown in workload growth for housebuilders,
particularly for social housing.

“Instead
of setting more targets they don’t meet, Ministers should back Labour’s
long-term plan for housing by investing to build the homes the country
needs.”