Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to the claim that numerous patients in the East of England were harmed or died following significant ambulance days, said:

“These allegations from an East of England Ambulance service whistleblower are shocking and tragic.

“We need urgent clarity about what has happened at this ambulance service. Families who have lost a loved one deserve nothing less than to be given answers.

“I hope the Secretary of State will confirm that a full inquiry will be established and come to the Commons on Monday to update MPs on what will happen next.”

Peter Dowd MP, Labour’s Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, commenting on reports that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has only prosecuted eight cases of insider trading in the past five years, said:

“Once again we have further evidence of this Conservative Government’s priorities and lacklustre approach when it comes to stopping stock market abuse. The Tories would rather spend much needed resources victimising benefit claimants than tackling financial fraud and insider trading.

“The Government’s continued understaffing and under-resourcing of the FCA and HMRC are giving stock market fraudsters and insider traders carte blanche and sadly it’s the taxpayer who is paying for it.

"The next Labour government will take action to prevent stock market abuse, ensure that HMRC and the FCA are properly resourced, and create an economy that works for the many, not the few.”

Dawn Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, commenting on the publication of Stonewall’s LGBT in Britain: Trans Report, said:

“Stonewall’s findings are deeply concerning. Transphobia is not OK and will never be OK.

“Labour is committed to tackling this issue and to supporting the Trans community. We urge the government to ensure that the new guidance being developed on Sex and Relationship Education is LGBT+ inclusive.

“Reforming the Gender recognition Act will be key to ensuring Trans equality. But we are still waiting on the government to publish the consultation on updating the Act. The government must follow through on its commitment to reform.”

Ends

Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, following the announcement by the Justice Secretary on the John Worboys case, said:

“Many will be very disappointed by today’s news. The Government needs to take measures that restore public confidence in our justice system. It’s clear that there is a pressing need for real changes that will make Parole Board decisions much more transparent.

“But the Worboys case raises so many serious questions that anything less than an independent end-to-end review into the handling of the case—from the first report to the police of an attack right through to the Parole Board hearing—would let down the victims and the wider public. It is deeply regrettable that the Government once again refused to announce such a review.”

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on the National Audit Office’s report on sustainability and transformation in the NHS, said:

“The NAO’s report confirms the Government’s flawed and wholly inadequate approach to the sustainable, long term funding of the NHS. Ministers have failed to increase per head spending in real terms each year, a key election promise, and there are still no details of a long overdue pay rise for NHS staff.

“Our NHS is in crisis. Years of underinvestment culminated in December 2017 being the worst month on record for A&E performance and elective operations being cancelled until the end of January. Targets are being missed and in-year cash injections are not improving the financial performances of Trusts.

“Unlike the Tories, Labour outlined a costed long term plan for funding the NHS. Labour will give our NHS an extra £6 billion a year to ensure that our NHS remains a world class service for all.”

Ends

Nia Griffith MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, responding to the Public Accounts Committee report on Delivering Carrier Strike, said:

“This report highlights the significant concerns about the affordability of a key part of the MoD’s equipment plan and a vital aspect of our future defence capability.

“The Government needs to address this issue urgently and ensure that the Carrier programme is adequately funded going forward, in particular the F-35s which need to be paid for in US dollars and will be impacted by fluctuating foreign exchange rates. 

“It’s reassuring that MoD staff have told the Committee that they do not plan to take the Albion class out of service early. The Defence Secretary should stop dodging questions about the future of the vessels and confirm that he will not be selling them off. The loss of this class without replacement would be an unacceptable cut to our nation’s defences.”

Ends

Yasmin Qureshi MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Minister, responding to the Government’s announcement of a consultation into the HM Courts and Tribunals Service estate, said:

“This consultation should not be a smokescreen for yet more court closures and staff losses which would further undermine local access to our justice system.

“Tory cuts have already led to the closure of hundreds of courts and the axing of thousands of court staff.

“There are obvious fears that this consultation is just part of the Government’s plan to cut hundreds of millions of pounds more from the Ministry of Justice budget by 2020.

“The Government should not proceed with any further court closures until its promised Courts Bill is published and its reforms can be subjected to full parliamentary scrutiny.”

Ends

Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responding to the report into HMP Liverpool by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, said:

“After Carillion’s collapse, this report raises more very serious questions about the outsourcing of Government contracts.

“Private contractor Amey has failed to complete thousands of maintenance jobs at HMP Liverpool and the Government must explain why it is continuing to receive public money when the work simply isn’t being done.

“The conditions at HMP Liverpool with rat infestations, leaking toilets, damp and squalor are the worst ever seen by inspectors. This is a new low in the long list of damning evidence that shows Tory outsourcing and cuts to the prison service are fuelling a crisis in our prisons.

“Labour in government would look at bringing prison maintenance contracts back in house. The Government must now do the same.”

Ends

Imran Hussain MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Minister, responding to the urgent notification issued at HMP Nottingham, said:

“This is yet more evidence of the deep crisis across our prison system.

“Tory cuts to staff and budgets have fuelled an epidemic of violence that has seen assaults and self-harm at record levels.

“The Justice Secretary needs to take urgent action to sort out this crisis at HMP Nottingham and ensure that the whole of our prisons system is safe for prisoners and staff alike.”

Peter Dowd MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, commenting on the Lords Delegated Power and Regulatory Reform Committee report on the Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill said:

“The House of Lords report gives a damning verdict on the Government’s Customs Bill, which hands vast sets of Henry VIII powers to the Treasury instead of to Parliament.

“The Bill is yet another attempt by the Government to run roughshod over the democratically elected House of Commons. Taken with the EU Withdrawal Bill and the Trade Bill, this is a centralisation of control not seen since the Second World War.

“The Prime Minister has no mandate to award her Government these powers.”