Kate Green MP. Labour's Shadow Equalities Minister, responding to Lynne Featherstone's comments on the equal right of gay and lesbian couples to marry said:

"Labour strongly agrees that gay and lesbian couples should have an equal right to marry and deserve the same recognition from the state and society as anyone else.

New figures published today by the Department for Communities and Local Government show a shocking increase in rough sleeping across England in 2011 by 23% from 1,768 to 2,181. There were particularly large increases in the East Midlands (55%), the North West (49%) and the South East (39%). 

Today Labour publishes ‘21st Century Defence’, a consultation paper, to launch the Labour Party Shadow Defence Review.

Labour will review the threats the UK faces, assessing the Government’s defence policy against recent events and expert opinion and seeking to define a long term vision for UK defence policy. 

Andy Burnham MP, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, speaking ahead of Labour’s opposition day debate in the House of Commons today, is calling on Liberal Democrat MPs to support his call for the Government’s risk assessment on the Health Bill to be published. 

Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said after the Drop the Health Bill e-petition passed 100,000 signatures:

“Tens of thousands of people have today sent a very clear message to the Prime Minister.  They want him to listen and stop putting his political pride before the best interests of the NHS.