Political Cabinet Readout - Tuesday 17
March
The Political Cabinet discussed how Labour is delivering for
families in Scotland and Wales.
The Secretary of State for Wales said the two Labour governments
in Westminster and Cardiff have a story to tell on how they are
working in partnership to invest in Wales' future, including
through new investment zones, better railways and the UK's first
small modular nuclear reactors at Wylfa. She said this will drive
a new economic era, which she warned would be put at risk by the
division and distraction offered by the other parties.
The Secretary of State for Scotland set out how a Scottish Labour
government at Holyrood would end the SNP's mess, fix the basics
and build a better future. He said that Scotland could not afford
a third decade of the SNP.
Ministers compared the progress on bringing down NHS waiting
lists in England and Wales under Labour, to the SNP's poor record
running the health service in Scotland. The Health Secretary said
Labour has a better record on improving the NHS in England after
20 months in power in Westminster, than the SNP has in Scotland
after almost 20 years.
Cabinet readout - Tuesday 17 March
The Prime Minister opened Cabinet by referencing the impact of
the Iranian conflict on the economy and the cost of living,
before turning to the Chancellor to update.
The Chancellor set out how the conflict had impacted oil and gas
prices. She said the work done since coming into office had put
the government in a better place to weather the storm. The
Chancellor said the Prime Minister had announced support for
homes powered by heating oil, how we are clamping down on
profiteering, and how we had launched the cheaper fuel finder to
support motorists. She added the government had to govern for the
world as it was, not as it would like it to be.
The Prime Minister added it was important to emphasise the
government was approaching this conflict in a better position
thanks to the work of the Chancellor.
The Prime Minister then turned to the Health Secretary for an
update on the Meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent. The Health
Secretary set out the number of confirmed cases and UKHSA's
response. The Health Secretary said his department would continue
working closely with UKHSA on its handling of the outbreak.
