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Tag: 2021

  • Robert Jenrick – 2021 Comments on Self Building

    Robert Jenrick – 2021 Comments on Self Building

    The comments made by Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on 24 April 2021.

    Building your own home shouldn’t be the preserve of a small number of people, but a mainstream, realistic and affordable option for people across the country. That’s why we are making it easier and more affordable – backed by over £150 million new funding from the government.

    The scheme we have launched today will help the thousands of people who’d like to build their own home but who’ve not yet considered it or previously ruled it out.

    Our plans will help get more people on to the housing ladder, ensure homes suit people’s needs like home working or caring for relatives, whilst providing an important boost to small builders and businesses too.

  • Ed Miliband – 2021 Comments on Government’s Texts for Access

    Ed Miliband – 2021 Comments on Government’s Texts for Access

    The comments made by Ed Miliband, the Shadow Secretary of State for Business, on 23 April 2021.

    It’s time Ministers stood up for businesses in this country, even if they don’t have the Prime Minister’s mobile number. The path to recovery will be long and difficult for many businesses, and a big challenge facing these firms is the debt overhang built up to keep themselves afloat in the crisis.

    The Government has refused to introduce the kind of flexibility these businesses need, yet Ministers have acted quickly and flexibly to address issues raised by their personal connections. Rather than fast-tracking the concerns of their friends, Ministers should be listening to businesses of all sizes across the country struggling to deal with debt.

    Forcing businesses to repay debt while they are still in the red makes no economic sense. The Government must give our businesses the time to get back on their feet by linking repayments to profits, or risk businesses going to the wall and taking their debt with them – threatening many good businesses and inflicting further damage on our high streets.

  • Rachel Reeves – 2021 Comments on Downing Street Refurbisment

    Rachel Reeves – 2021 Comments on Downing Street Refurbisment

    The comments made by Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 24 April 2021.

    The Ministerial Code clearly states ‘Ministers should be as open as possible with Parliament and the public’. This has not happened.

    Given we know it only takes a text message from a friend to get the full attention at the top of your government, many people will wonder what personal goodwill could be generated by a secret donation to the redecoration of your living quarters.

    Any external financial aid to a Prime Minister’s lifestyle must of course be fully declared at the time and as the Ministerial Code makes clear, real and perceived conflicts of interest must be avoided.

    I believe there needs to be a full investigation given the gravity of the new accusations from your former Chief Adviser and the serious implications of other irregularities of this concerning episode.

  • Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on Football Social Media Blackout

    Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on Football Social Media Blackout

    The comments made by Jo Stevens, the Shadow Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, on 24 April 2021.

    The threats and racism faced by footballers on social media are appalling, but sadly, no-one is surprised by this anymore.

    The only way to make social media companies take responsibility for what appears on their platforms is criminal sanctions against senior executives. And yet, despite all their tough talk, the Conservatives have dropped them from the proposed online safety law.

    Ministers can hold as many zoom meetings with footballers as they like, but actions speak louder than words. They have caved in to big tech lobbyists by watering down proposed legislation, as well as delaying it for more than two years. That’s how concerned they really are.

  • Rachel Reeves – 2021 Comments on Allocation of Government Contracts

    Rachel Reeves – 2021 Comments on Allocation of Government Contracts

    The comments made by Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 22 April 2021.

    These revelations are explosive. It is shocking that basic checks were missed and companies without proper certification were allowed to jump the queue.

    Time and time again Labour has called on the Conservatives to publish details of companies on the VIP fast lane, and time and time again they have refused, and insisted on covering them up.

    This is yet more evidence of the Tory sleaze that is happening on Boris Johnson’s watch.

    If the Conservatives don’t publish all of the details now, it is further proof that they think it is one rule for them and another for everyone else.

  • Anna McMorrin – 2021 Comments on Prime Minister and US Climate Leaders’ Summit

    Anna McMorrin – 2021 Comments on Prime Minister and US Climate Leaders’ Summit

    The comments made by Anna McMorrin, the Shadow Minister for International Development, on 22 April 2021.

    The Prime Minister’s statement highlights the gulf between his government’s climate rhetoric and delivery.

    Stripping away vital aid funding as well as continued funding of fossil fuel projects overseas despite his government’s new policy shows talk is cheap. This Government’s hypocrisy must end.

    This Earth Day world leaders must listen and learn from climate vulnerable communities everywhere and ensure they are at the heart of decision-making and mobilise the finance to advance progress. Taking real climate action will mean greater health, prosperity and security for all home and aboard, from East Africa to East Yorkshire.

  • Anneliese Dodds – 2021 Comments on David Cameron and Greensill Emails

    Anneliese Dodds – 2021 Comments on David Cameron and Greensill Emails

    The comments made by Anneliese Dodds, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 22 April 2021.

    These emails confirm that Greensill wasn’t shy about the financial trouble it was in last year. They were sending the begging bowl round to the Bank for England for up to £20 billion in support in March, and yet the Government granted the failed lending firm access to hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayer-backed loans in June.

    This is about keeping public money safe. We need to understand why Greensill Capital was given so much time and access to the Treasury, and why so much public money was put at risk.

    The Chancellor must now come clean about his role in the return of Conservative sleaze by urgently publishing details of every call, text and secret meeting he had with David Cameron’s Greensill Capital.

  • Anneliese Dodds – 2021 Comments on David Cameron Emails

    Anneliese Dodds – 2021 Comments on David Cameron Emails

    The comments made by Anneliese Dodds, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 22 April 2021.

    These emails confirm Treasury officials knew Greensill was in financial trouble as early as the 21 March last year. They also knew Greensill applied to the CLBILS Covid loan scheme on 24 April.

    We need to follow the money. Greensill was carrying the begging bowl from the Bank of England to the Treasury and back. It was desperate for access to taxpayer money, and the Government granted that access by accrediting it to the CLBILS scheme in June.

    Hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayer cash were put at risk by that decision. We need to understand why the Chancellor and the Treasury did nothing when they were aware Greensill was deep in the red three months earlier.

    The Chancellor can’t keep ducking this. He must come out of hiding and explain his role in the return of Conservative sleaze.

  • Kate Green – 2021 Comments on Early Years

    Kate Green – 2021 Comments on Early Years

    The comments made by Kate Green, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, on 22 April 2021.

    The Conservatives have treated children as an afterthought throughout this pandemic, with had no plan to protect early years providers nor support the families who rely on their vital services.

    Labour wants to see children at the heart of our national recovery.

    Through engagement with parents, providers, children and experts our Bright Future Taskforce will develop a national strategy to ensure every child can recover the learning and social development lost during the pandemic and has the chance to reach their full potential.

  • Tulip Siddiq – 2021 Comments on Early Years

    Tulip Siddiq – 2021 Comments on Early Years

    The comments made by Tulip Siddiq, the Shadow Minister for Children and Early Years, on 22 April 2021.

    The early years are critical for a child’s development and childcare is a fundamental building block of our economy but, over the last decade, early years services have been neglected.

    This Conservative Government has failed to listen to families who have been unable to get the childcare, early education and wellbeing support they need.

    As we emerge from the pandemic, we need to have a big conversation with the public about how we can rebuild this essential infrastructure.