Shadow Chancellor Blog
My response to the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards report
After the global financial crisis and the banking scandals that followed we need cultural change and radical reform to protect taxpayers, rebuild public confidence in the banks and ensure that in future they work to support the wider economy. This report sets out a radical blueprint for change on professional standards, [...]
More...Labour will turn things around and deal with the deficit in a fairer & more balanced way – my Tribune column
After three years of falling living standards and a flatlining economy it’s clear that this government’s policies have failed. Britain desperately needs a change of direction now. But the longer David Cameron carries on like this the more difficult the challenges will be for the next [...]
More...Striking the right balance for the British economy – my speech at Thomson Reuters
INTRODUCTION Three years into this coalition government, and three weeks before the Chancellor completes his much-trailed Spending Review for 2015/16, it makes sense now to set out Labour’s approach. In my speech today, I want to make three central arguments. First, that this Spending Review is a sign not of strength but of [...]
More...By ignoring the IMF George Osborne puts political pride before the national interest – my Guardian article
The International Monetary Fund is not usually known for racy language and dramatic press releases. When IMF chiefs come to national capitals, diplomacy is normally the order of the day. So no one should be surprised that in London this week there was no public repeat of the IMF’s previous [...]
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Constituency News
New review into children’s heart surgeries
After two years of dither and delay it’s very good news that the flawed proposals to close Leeds Children’s Heart Surgery have finally been rejected. Families from our area caring for sick children shouldn’t have to face long and tiring journeys to Newcastle or Liverpool on top of everything else. [...]
More...Politically Speaking in the Wakefield Express
Some welcome news for parents this week as the Government announced it would be dropping plans to increase the number of children who can be looked after by staff in nurseries and by childminders. In a recent visit to the Wrenthorpe Pre-School parents told me how worried they were about [...]
More...My buses survey
Last Friday I joined local residents and Councillors to launch a bus survey to find out residents’ concerns and suggestions for local bus services. Residents have raised concerns about reliability of some services and the destinations they serve. Our local survey will give local residents an opportunity to feed back [...]
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