The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 25 July 2020.
The news will be deeply concerning for families who are in caught Spain or are planning travel – the Government needs to come forward now with full details of how people affected will be supported.
The comments made by Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister between 1997 and 2007, to the PA news agency on 24 July 2020.
Keir’s doing a good job, a very good job actually. I think he’s put Labour back on the map and he has made them competitive again. He will know, and we all know, that there’s a long way to go before a General Election and many things to be done. But, in these months since he’s become the leader, he’s completely changed the image of the Labour leadership amongst the public and he deserves respect and admiration for that.
There are a whole other set of questions around policy that in time that I’m sure and know he will come to. But, has he made it politically competitive again which it hasn’t really been for quite a long period of time? Yes, and that’s a huge step forwards for the Labour Party.
Text of the comments made by Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 24 July 2020.
Blackburn with Darwen and Luton councils are doing excellent work with their local communities to address an increase in coronavirus cases and we continue to work collectively with them. Strong community engagement, major boosts in testing and increased support are already underway to manage outbreaks in these areas.
The latest data shows the incidence of COVID-19 in these areas is higher than in other areas of the country, and we have today agreed to support both local authorities to pause the further easement of lockdown measures in these areas. This means indoor gyms, swimming pools and other sport and exercise facilities will not reopen in Luton or Blackburn with Darwen on 25 July.
I appreciate this will be disappointing for many people and some businesses in the area but we are in complete agreement with local leaders that the priority must be to protect local residents by stopping the spread of this virus.
I have every faith in the local leaders’ ability to help their areas return to normal as soon as possible and in local communities coming together during this time.
Comments made by Liz Truss, the Secretary of State for International Trade, on 24 July 2020.
My first JETCO with India has been an opportunity to take stock of progress made so far between our countries and look at barriers preventing our trading relationship from reaching its full potential. India is an incredibly important partner for the UK. As one of the world’s largest economies and democracies, it is a powerhouse that will play a major role in shaping the 21st Century. Today we agreed to look in detail at a framework for a deeper relationship. At this stage we want to keep all options on the table, including the possibility of a free trade agreement as some point in the future.
Text of the comments made by Lucy Powell, the Shadow Minister for Business and Consumers, on 24 July 2020.
Whilst these figures are encouraging overall it’s clear that large parts of the high street are really struggling, threatening jobs and livelihoods.
That’s why Labour is calling on Ministers to launch a new £1.7 billion fightback fund to protect businesses and jobs in hospitality and on the high street, by giving local areas more flexibility over how to support their local economies.
The text of the comments made by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, on 24 July 2020.
The Russia report laid bare the influence that super-rich Russian oligarchs have sought to exert over our politics.
Given we already know that over a dozen Tory Ministers are being bankrolled by individuals and businesses with links to Russia, the public have a right to know the identity of the Russian tycoon behind this major UK infrastructure project.
The Government has questions to answer about the links between party donors and planning applications if we are to believe that money does not buy influence over our politics.
Labour is sure that the Prime Minister will be keen to reassure the public that bank-rolling the Tory Party does not buy Russian tycoons influence over planning applications and decisions relating to major infrastructure projects supplying our country’s energy needs.
Text of the comments made by Jonathan Ashworth, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 24 July 2020.
This finally puts to bed the Prime Minister’s previous claim his Government ‘took the right decisions at the right time.’
Boris Johnson has finally admitted the Government has mishandled its response to the Coronavirus. It was too slow to acknowledge the threat of the virus, too slow to enter lockdown and too slow to take this crisis seriously.
The threat of a second wave is still very real. It is imperative the Government learns the lessons of its mistakes so we can help to save lives.
Text of the comments made by Alison McGovern, the Shadow Sports Minister, on 24 July 2020.
The chance to get back on the treadmill or in the pool means a lot to so many people who have found it hard to keep themselves active during lockdown.
The health benefits of exercise are obvious but for many, the gym is also about keeping mentally fit and a big part of their social life.
The Tories have failed to invest in gyms, leisure centres and other services for years which shows how hollow their newfound commitment to ending obesity is.
The comments made by Justin Madders, the Shadow Health Minister, on 23 July 2020.
The Prime Minister promised we would have a 24-hour turnaround for test results by the end of last month but we are a long way off, with the numbers heading in the wrong direction again this week. How can ministers think it’s acceptable that testing is getting slower rather than faster as promised?
It is also a worry that we are still seeing so many of the close contacts of people who have tested positive not being reached.
Ministers need to spell out urgently what they are doing to address these huge holes in the contact tracing system.
The comments made by Jonathan Ashworth, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 24 July 2020.
Flu, alongside a second Coronavirus wave, could be devastating. That is why Keir Starmer demanded that a comprehensive flu vaccination programme be put in place ahead of the winter, including free vaccinations for the over 50s.
It’s welcome ministers have listened to Labour but they must offer a guarantee that the programme will be offered to all over 50s this winter. We will do all we can locally and nationally to encourage take-up of the flu vaccine.