Jon Trickett responds to reports that the government is now placing Interserve under watch

Jon Trickett MP, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, responding to reports that the government is now placing Interserve under watch, said:

“The Government awarded Interserve numerous contracts after significant profit warnings, clearly showing us that Carillion was not an isolated case.

“The Tory Government is wedded to a dogma which would rather see public services in private hands, so their shareholders cream off the profits and the British people pick up the bill.

“Even when these huge firms are in unstable positions, the Government would rather risk our services than actually run them for the public .

“The time is up on the few profiteering at the expense of the many.”

Ends

Justin Madders responds to Care Quality Commission’s decision to suspend routine inspections

Justin Madders MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, responding to the Care Quality Commission’s decision to suspend routine inspections because of winter pressures, said:

“Another day, another example of Tory failure to suitably prepare our NHS for the predictable winter spike in demand. This incredibly serious decision must act as a wakeup call to a Government which remains in denial over the worst winter crisis on record.

“Gaining a full picture of winter pressures is critically important and the CQC’s decision leaves a serious deficit of quality regulation.

“Coming off the back of the cancellation of 55,000 elective operations, Ministers must now back Labour’s call for immediate additional funding to stabilise this appalling winter crisis.”