Labour in North East Cambridgeshire National News

National News

Darling responds to Osborne's Claims
Labour's Shadow Chancellor Alistair Darling responded to George Osborne's claims today that the government’s economic policy is 'fair' and 'progressive'.
More unanswered questions from Liam Fox - Bob Ainsworth
Bob Ainsworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, has responded to Liam Fox’s speech today on cuts to the Armed Services at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors saying: “Today we had more unanswered questions from Liam Fox. He still can’t tell us how our nuclear deterrent will be paid for – but maybe that’s unsurprising as George Osborne seems to be calling all the shots.
Jim Knight's response to Cameron's proposals on benefit fraud
Responding to David Cameron's proposals on benefit fraud Jim Knight, Shadow Minister for Welfare Reform, said: "The Labour Government halved welfare fraud over the past decade and it's right that this should remain a priority. "But David Cameron must not use this as a distraction from the fact that his government's policies will increase the numbers of people who are unemployed and dependent on benefits - at a cost to the taxpayer which will dwarf these fraud savings. "The Labour government set out a new approach to tackling fraud in the public sector in March. Amongst its recommendations was a
Clegg's commitment to openness was empty rhetoric - Straw
Shadow Justice Secretary, Jack Straw MP, responding to the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee’s damning criticism of Nick Clegg’s refusal to allow adequate scrutiny of his political reform Bills, said: “This correspondence is further evidence that Nick Clegg’s pre-election commitment to increased openness and accountability was just empty rhetoric. There is a sharp contrast between the way he is handling these major pieces of constitutional legislation and the way in which Labour in government handled equivalent legislation. "While we published draft bills and allowed for a proper period of reflection, Mr Clegg is attempting to hammer legislation through Parliament
"Home Secretary demonstrates a lack of understanding" - Johnson
Labour's Shadow Home Secretary, Alan Johnson MP, responding to Theresa May's speech said: "The Home Secretary demonstrates a lack of understanding about the powers already available to the police. An Anti-Social Behaviour Order is one of a series of different powers available to the police and is used when other punitive measures have failed. "As we saw in the tragic case of Fiona Pilkington it was the failure to use the powers available to the police that caused the problem, not the absence of powers themselves. Of course it is right to keep such matters under review to ensure the
Coalition's U-turn on prison parties - Straw
Responding to the coalition's u-turn today on prison parties, Jack Straw MP, Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary said: "This is chaotic stuff and very early in the government's term. "Since Mr Blunt rescinded the ban on prison parties last Tuesday I can only assume he did so with the express authority of the Secretary of State for Justice. It says very little for the internal processes of government, as well as the judgement of Ministry of Justice ministers, that there appears to have been no proper clearance of this decision with Downing Street. "So much for the claims that there is
Results of Labour’s approach to supporting the recovery
Alistair Darling MP, Labour's Shadow Chancellor said: "Today figures show the results of the Labour Government’s approach to supporting the recovery. "This is the fastest growth we have seen for over four years. It shows that confidence was returning. And you can see the success of maintaining support for important sectors like construction. "And this is the final nail in the coffin of the Coalition’s argument that things are worse than they believed before the election. Today’s figures show that growth was twice as fast as expected. The Coalition’s economic policy is not inevitable – it’s the choice they’ve made.
Huge risks the Government is running with the economy - McFadden
Shadow Business Secretary, Pat McFadden MP, responding to the latest survey of business attitudes from the Federation of Small Businesses said: "This survey shows the huge risks the Government is running with the economy. “By cutting back spending so fast and so deeply, this is not just having an effect on the public sector but the private sector too. “Today's figures show a sense of foreboding among small businesses about their prospects for the future."
Unlikely civil society will become "bigger" with large public spending cuts - Jowell
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Tessa Jowell MP, in response to David Cameron’s speech on the big society, said: “The content of today's speech is simply a brass-necked rebranding of programmes already put in place by a Labour Government. “Funding for a social investment bank and for community pubs was put in place in March, and residents have been involved in setting council budgets for a number of years. “We welcome the Coalition's decision to continue our work in partnership with local communities, but these projects are dependant on funding and resources being put in place. “It is therefore
"David Cameron owes the public an apology today" - Khan
Shadow Transport Secretary Sadiq Khan MP, responding to reports of the Coalition’s plan to raise the free bus pass age earlier than planned, said: “David Cameron owes the public an apology today. His mock outrage during the General Election campaign has been shown up as a cynical and misleading act, and his manifesto commitment to protecting concessionary fares as a sham. “But more importantly, this news will cause anxiety for hundreds of thousands who could be affected – having misled them during the election campaign, David Cameron owes it to them to come clean now and confirm unequivocally what his