Sunderland Echo column - Bridget Phillipson

Sunderland Echo: National Insurance tax rise will hit workers and their jobs

The Government has announced a new National Insurance tax hike that will hit workers and their jobs. The new tax isn’t fair, and it won’t work. That’s why Labour voted against it. Hardworking families and businesses are shouldering the vast majority of the new burden, paying no less than…

Sunderland Echo: We need to buy, make and sell more in Britain

Over the last couple of weeks, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has begun to set out Labour’s vision for Britain’s economy. Put simply, we need to buy, make and sell more in Britain The pandemic exposed the weaknesses not just of this government, but of our economy as a whole after…

Sunderland Echo: Children are not a high priority for this government

Our children and young people have had a difficult and stressful year. They have seen not merely an interruption to their lives, but a disruption to their education and their development which risks setting back a generation. But children are not a high priority for this government. It has emerged…

Sunderland Echo: We can now all see more of our loved ones once again. But the Government cannot repeat the mistakes it made again and again last year.

I know just how tough this pandemic has been for our community. I am so pleased that this week more places can open, and we can all see more of our loved ones once again. However, it is vital that the Government doesn’t repeat the mistakes it made again…

Sunderland Echo: We’re facing the same old Tories: one rule for them and one for the rest of us

The Greensill affair is just the latest in a series of scandals from the Conservative Government marked by dodgy contracts, privileged access, and jobs for their friends. What we’re seeing is the return of Tory sleaze – and it’s taxpayers’ pockets that are taking the hit. After Chancellor Rishi Sunak…

Sunderland Echo: Budget full of sticking plasters with no long-term solutions

Last week’s Budget should have been the moment when our country was put back on the path to growth. It was an opportunity to put in place the building blocks of a recovery that benefits every part of our country, and give people hope that a better future lies ahead.…

Sunderland Echo: We can’t risk month of dither and delay until the Budget

Labour is the party of work and business. We understand that businesses create the jobs and drive the growth that will help build Britain’s recovery. It’s these high-skilled, well-paid jobs that we need so badly in the North East, which has been let down by over a decade of neglect…

We need a Labour Government that makes responsible choices to secure our economy, protect the NHS, and rebuild Britain

Throughout this pandemic, I have heard from too many families and too many businesses who are facing real hardship and are worried about what the future holds. Many haven’t even been able to access support since the start of this crisis. Let’s not forget that when Covid-19 hit, the irresponsible decisions…

Sunderland Echo: Christmas is only a matter of days away, but I know it will be very different to the ones we are used to.

Government guidelines mean we may be unable to spend time with all those we usually see at this time of year. Of course, the tragic human cost of this virus means many people face their first Christmas without a loved one. My heart goes out to anyone who…

Bridget Phillipson: Working families will pay the price of missed opportunity

Yesterday’s Spending Review was a missed opportunity for the government to start making responsible choices to get our economy back on its feet. Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on communities like ours. It’s why for months, Labour have called for a relentless focus on jobs – to help us…