Jeremy Hunt’s remarks bear no resemblance to the reality of our mental health services - Barbara Keeley

Barbara Keeley MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health, commenting on the Government’s record on Mental Health, following Jeremy Hunt’s appearance on the Andrew Marr show, said:

“Jeremy Hunt’s remarks bear no resemblance to the reality of our mental health services; the Tory Government’s record on mental health has been dismal. 

“Mental health nurse numbers have fallen, more than a quarter of CCGs underspent their mental health budgets for 2016/17 and some children are waiting as long as eighteen months to be treated.

“The Tories will not be taken seriously on mental health unless they invest more in services and ring-fence budgets, as Labour pledged to do at the General Election.”

Labour has forced Theresa May to backtrack on ill-conceived plans for supported housing - John Healey MP

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.”

John McDonnell responds to IFS research on public finances ahead of the Budget

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on analysis published today by the IFS on the public finances ahead of the Budget, said:

“The IFS have today confirmed seven years of Tory austerity policies have failed to drive up investment and productivity, with serious potential consequences for the public finances. Tory economic failure means wages and salaries are lower today than when they came to power, and still falling, whilst their mishandling of Brexit is now also adding to the uncertainty around future borrowing plans.

“Instead of dragging millions of ordinary people through the endless misery of Tory spending cuts, the Chancellor now needs to make a decisive break with past Tory failure and end austerity. If he cannot, Labour stands ready to govern, end the appalling failure of Tory austerity and build an economy that works for the many, not the few.”

Ministers should act now and help fund vital fire safety measures, starting with the highest risk blocks - John Healey

Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, John Healey MP, responding to Sajid Javid’s refusal to fund the retro-fitting of sprinklers in high-rise buildings on the Andrew Marr Show, said:

“Conservative Ministers were told four years ago to get sprinklers retro-fitted into high-rise buildings following two fatal tower block fires, but failed to act.

"Today, even after the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower, Sajid Javid has confirmed the government is still refusing to provide any funding to install sprinklers. This is a neglect of government’s responsibility to worried residents across the country. 

“Ministers should act now and help fund these vital fire safety measures, starting with the highest risk blocks.”

This is the third high-profile money laundering scandal to involve major British banks this year - John McDonnell

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to reports linking British Banks to money laundering activity in South Africa, said:

“This is the third high-profile money laundering scandal to involve major British banks this year, and London has become notorious as a global centre for money laundering. There are many hardworking people in our banking sector who will feel frustrated and dismayed by such stories, but they are let down by poor leadership and weak oversight that undermines the financial sector’s reputation.  "It’s time the Chancellor considered a wide ranging independent inquiry that leaves no stone unturned in rooting out unlawful and damaging activity. The Government cannot continue to drag its feet on this matter as it will be the British banking industry as a whole that risks long-term damage to the reputation on which it depends.”

The danger for people facing catastrophic long-term care costs isn’t over - Barbara Keeley

Barbara Keeley MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Minister for Social Care, responding to a leaked draft of this year’s Tory manifesto, said:

“This leaked draft manifesto shows just how damaging the Dementia Tax could have been for people in need of care.

“But the danger for people facing catastrophic long-term care costs isn’t over. It seems from social care minister Jackie Doyle-Price’s recent comments that the Tories are still considering this disastrous policy.

“Labour will build a sustainable National Care Service funded by sharing risk across the population to avoid people facing catastrophic costs for care.“