Policy - Emily Thornberry

Second Reading of the Welfare Bill

Thank you to the hundreds of constituents who have written to me regarding the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which passed its Second Reading this week. I understand the fear and confusion that many have had in the lead up to last night, and I’m disappointed that…

Proposed reforms to welfare

Thank you to so many constituents who have written to me regarding the changes this government is proposing to the welfare system. I understand the fear these proposals, and the speculation ahead of the announcement, will have caused, particularly for those relying on benefits. I am angry to have seen…

Letter to constituents on a new Cambo oil field

Thank you for contacting me about your opposition to the new Cambo oil field in the North Sea. I have been contacted by a large number of my constituents about this proposal and I wanted to set out to you my own views on this matter below. As you know,…

Letter to constituents on an NHS pay rise

Thank you for contacting me about the healthcare staff who have kept our healthcare system functioning throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. I understand that you are concerned about their pay and believe that NHS staff deserve a pay rise – I do too. My Labour colleague, Jonathan Ashworth, put it so…

Letter to constituents on the rent, evictions and homelessness crisis

Thank you for contacting me about the UK’s rent, evictions and homelessness crisis. I apologise for the delay in responding to your email. As you can imagine, I have received a huge increase in casework as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. First of all, I am sure we can…

Letter to constituents on the acquisition of London GP practices by Operose and Centene

Many thanks for your email on the acquisition of GP practices in London by Operose and their parent company, Centene. Firstly, I must be clear that frontbench politicians are unable to sign Early Day Motions. This means that in my role as Shadow International Trade Secretary, I am unable to put my…

Letter to constituents on the Pig Husbandry (Farrowing) Bill

Thank you for your email about the Pig Husbandry (Farrowing) Bill and your support for ending the so-called ‘cage age’. In our 2019 Animal Welfare manifesto, the Labour Party committed to introducing a phased ban on sow farrowing crates and pledged to end the use of cages on British farms…

Letter to constituents on neonicotinoids

Thank you for contacting me about the government’s decision to allow English sugar beet farmers to use the neonicotinoid, thiamethoxam, which is harmful to bees and other wild pollinators. In the UK, 35 species of bee are under threat of extinction. The population of pollinating insects in our country has…

Letter to constituents on the Environment Bill

Thank you for contacting me about the Report Stage of the Environment Bill. I apologise for the delay in responding to your email. As you can imagine, I have received a huge increase in casework as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. In June, Boris Johnson said that his government…

Letter to constituents on work permits for people in the creative industries after Brexit

Thank you for your email about work permits for people in the creative industries following the end of Britain’s transition period with the EU on 31st December. I apologise for the delay in responding to your email. As you can imagine, the Coronavirus pandemic has led to a large increase…

Letter to constituents on emergency support for disabled people

Thank you for contacting me about the emergency support disabled people need as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. We all know that disabled people have been hit hard by the pandemic, and disproportionately so. Between January and November 2020, disabled men were up to 3 times more likely to…