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.”

Debbie Abrahams MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and
Pensions Secretary, commenting
on the Government’s ‘Fuller Working Lives’ strategy, said:

“It’s right that the Government is taking
steps to boost employment for older people.

“However, more than half a million
workers aged over 50 rely on in-work support – and that support is at risk of
being rolled back through Universal Credit.

“That’s why Labour is calling on the
Tories to reverse cuts to Universal Credit, which could see some older workers
worse off by £2,600 a year.”

UK scales up humanitarian relief efforts in Somalia

Millions of people are living in desperate conditions in Somalia as extreme drought is threatening the lives and stability of a country vital to regional and UK security.

Ms Patel led a roundtable with humanitarian partners during her visit, to hear about the drought situation on the ground, how they are responding to it, and to discuss how the UK and international community can work together to save lives and prevent a catastrophic famine.

The 2015/16 El Nino is one of the strongest on record and has severely impacted Africa. In Somalia, conditions are worsening with daily reports of rivers drying up, crops failing, and people and livestock dying. As many as 3.9 million people need urgent assistance and 320,000 children are severely malnourished.

In the face of these famine-like conditions Ms Patel announced a UK package of support, which will provide:

• food for 60,000 people;
• urgent nutrition support for 240,000 children and pregnant women;
• safe water for 180,000 people;
• access to health service for 75,000 people; and
• vaccinations for 3 million animals.

Priti Patel said:

Millions of people are living in desperate conditions as extreme drought threatens the lives and stability of a country vital to regional and UK security.

I urge our international partners to join forces with Global Britain and provide immediate support for the relief effort.

Building a secure, stable and prosperous Somalia is a top priority for the UK and while great progress has been made, significant challenges remain. Together in partnership we can meet those challenges.

Ms Patel also sought the humanitarian partners’ commitment to the London Somalia Conference objectives and to agree to work together to ensure it will address the drought response and deliver the international support needed to resolve Somalia’s protracted crises.

The UK is playing a leading role in the wider international response to the ongoing drought in East Africa – where people desperately need the UK’s support.

After visiting Somalia, Ms Patel attended a humanitarian panel discussion in Ethiopia with the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonnen.

Ms Patel highlighted that humanitarian reform is one of the top priorities for the UK and that she is committed to making the international system more effective at responding to global challenges that pose risks to both Africa and the UK. This is to ensure support is maximised to those affected by crisis and guaranteeing value for money.

The International Development Secretary also emphasised her concerns for people suffering from the Horn of Africa drought in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya and urged humanitarian partners to accelerate joint efforts for an early response that will save lives.

Ms Patel outlined that increased UK support is helping 800,000 people in Ethiopia including:

• emergency nutrition treatment for 25,000 malnourished children;
• clean water for 100,000 people; and
• vaccination and treatment for 600,000 cattle.