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  • Jo Stevens – 2020 Comments on the Hospitality Industry and High Streets

    Jo Stevens – 2020 Comments on the Hospitality Industry and High Streets

    The comments made by Jo Stevens, the Shadow Culture Secretary, on 28 December 2020.

    Visitors normally flock to the UK because of our rich heritage, vibrant restaurant scene and stunning natural attractions.

    This has been a devastating year but it is within the gift of the Government to support our vital tourism sector so that it can be there to welcome back visitors, both from the UK and abroad, when it’s safe to do so.

    Labour has consistently called for sector specific support and reallocating this public money from businesses that have returned it is an obvious solution.

  • Ed Miliband – 2020 Comments on the Hospitality Industry and High Streets

    Ed Miliband – 2020 Comments on the Hospitality Industry and High Streets

    The comments made by Ed Miliband, the Shadow Business Secretary, on 28 December 2020.

    Businesses across the UK are facing a black hole this winter with billions wiped from their incomes during the crucial Christmas period.

    Those businesses in our visitor economy are facing not only the effects of restrictions here, but the huge loss of spend from tourism to the UK. Our hotels, hospitality and high streets will be especially hard hit.

    Unless Ministers change tack a winter wipe-out of these usually vibrant businesses is a real possibility. They must do the right thing and see them through to the end of this crisis.

  • Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Publishing SAGE Advice

    Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Publishing SAGE Advice

    The comments made by Kate Green, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, on 29 December 2020.

    The Government cannot continue to hide from reality and must urgently publish the scientific advice on the return of schools.

    Parents, pupils and staff are incredibly concerned about what will happen next week, with the Prime Minister governing through media leaks rather than evidence and clarity.

    The Government has lost control of the virus and children’s education is suffering as a result. It’s time for the Prime Minister to own his mistakes and be honest about whether students can return to schools and colleges in a week’s time.

  • Rachel Reeves – 2020 Comments on Michael Gove’s “Bumpy Moments” Interview

    Rachel Reeves – 2020 Comments on Michael Gove’s “Bumpy Moments” Interview

    The comments made by Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 28 December 2020.

    The Government is treating its own incompetence as inevitable.

    There is no reason why the deal the Government ended up with had to be run so close to the wire, nor why this period must be bumpy had the Government prepared properly.

    But instead they refused to engage with business on preparations and dodged repeated questions from Labour for months on how many customs agents were recruited and ready, and what IT systems are properly in place.

    They should behave like grown-ups and take responsibility for governance.

  • Lisa Nandy – 2020 Comments on UK Citizens Not Receiving Government Support Abroad

    Lisa Nandy – 2020 Comments on UK Citizens Not Receiving Government Support Abroad

    The comments made by Lisa Nandy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, on 28 December 2020.

    The Government has a duty to support and protect UK citizens who have been arbitrarily detained around the world. Shamefully, it is failing in that duty.

  • Dominic Raab – 2020 Statement on the Arrest of the Shenzhen 12

    Dominic Raab – 2020 Statement on the Arrest of the Shenzhen 12

    The statement made by Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, on 28 December 2020.

    We are deeply concerned that members of the Shenzhen 12 were tried in secret today, having been given just three days’ notice of their trial. Diplomats from Britain and a number of other countries, tried to attend the court proceedings but were denied entry.

    The Shenzhen 12 have not had access to lawyers of their choosing, raising further serious questions about access to legal counsel in Mainland China. We expect China to uphold the rule of law and conduct trials in a fair and transparent manner, consistent with the basic requirements of international human rights law.

  • Queen of the South – 2020 Apology over the Behaviour of George Galloway

    Queen of the South – 2020 Apology over the Behaviour of George Galloway

    The statement of apology issued on 28 December 2020 by Queen of the South football club over the actions of George Galloway.

    Reflecting on our statement to the fans last night we realise that we should have given a fuller apology.

    George Galloway was granted permission to attend our game against Dundee when Dumfries and Galloway was in tier one and fans were being allowed back into matches. We however accept that we should’ve readdressed the decision once the rules changed and should’ve informed Mr Galloway that he could no longer attend the match.

    We realise it was a total error of judgement and we should have been more considerate of our loyal supporters.

    We would again like to issue an unreserved apology to our fans and would like to reassure them that we fully accept and understand their anger. It was a genuine mistake that shouldn’t have been made.

    As we navigate our way through some tough times both on and off the park your valued support is needed more than ever.

  • Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Students Returning to School in January

    Kate Green – 2020 Comments on Students Returning to School in January

    The comments made by Kate Green, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, on 28 December 2020.

    The Government is failing to be honest with parents and pupils about the return of schools in January.

    Parents, pupils and staff will be increasingly worried by the drip feed of media reports saying scientists have advised the closure of schools in January, yet the Prime Minister has failed to be clear about the advice he has received.

    Labour has been clear that keeping pupils learning should be a national priority, but a litany of Government failures, from a lack of funding for safety measures through to the delayed and chaotic announcement of mass testing, is putting young people’s education at risk.

    It is time for the Prime Minister to get a grip on the situation and show some leadership. The country needs to hear from him today, alongside the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Advisor, about the evidence on the spread of the virus, how he plans to minimise disruption to education and a clear strategy for schools and colleges that commands the support of parents, pupils and staff.

  • George Eustice – 2013 Comments on the Fishing Quota Register

    George Eustice – 2013 Comments on the Fishing Quota Register

    The comments made by George Eustice, the then Minister for Farming, Food and Fisheries, on 18 December 2013.

    The Fixed Quota Allocation provides greater transparency for anyone with an interest in our fishing industry by allowing them to see who has access to the UK’s fishing quota.

    This will also improve the management of our fisheries by allowing the fishing industry to make better use of its quota.

  • George Eustice – 2013 Comments on Minced Meat

    George Eustice – 2013 Comments on Minced Meat

    The comments made by George Eustice, the then Minister for Farming, Food and Fisheries, on 18 December 2013.

    For the first time, people choosing ‘lean’ minced meat will be guaranteed a low fat product. Minced meat will be clearly labelled with the percentage of fat, empowering people to make more informed choices about what they buy.