Labour's Shadow Home Secretary, Alan Johnson MP, responding to Theresa May's speech said:

"The Home Secretary demonstrates a lack of understanding about the powers already available to the police. An Anti-Social Behaviour Order is one of a series of different powers available to the police and is used when other punitive measures have failed.

"As we saw in the tragic case of Fiona Pilkington it was the failure to use the powers available to the police that caused the problem, not the absence of powers themselves. Of course it is right to keep such matters under review to ensure the public has speedy access to measures to stop anti-social behaviour. However, there is no doubt that the introduction of ASBOs have made a huge contribution towards tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

"If the Home Secretary is to restrict the opportunities for the police to use ASBOs and other measures currently available then this will be yet another example of this government going soft on crime".

Responding to the coalition's u-turn today on prison parties, Jack Straw MP, Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary said:
 
"This is chaotic stuff and very early in the government's term.
 
"Since Mr Blunt rescinded the ban on prison parties last Tuesday I can only assume he did so with the express authority of the Secretary of State for Justice. It says very little for the internal processes of government, as well as the judgement of Ministry of Justice ministers, that there appears to have been no proper clearance of this decision with Downing Street.
 
"So much for the claims that there is a new formality within the British Government to ensure collective decision making. If there is it broke down altogether on this occasion."

Alistair Darling MP, Labour's Shadow Chancellor said:

"Today figures show the results of the Labour Government’s approach to supporting the recovery.

"This is the fastest growth we have seen for over four years. It shows that confidence was returning. And you can see the success of maintaining support for important sectors like construction.

"And this is the final nail in the coffin of the Coalition’s argument that things are worse than they believed before the election. Today’s figures show that growth was twice as fast as expected. The Coalition’s economic policy is not inevitable – it’s the choice they’ve made.

"And they will have to accept responsibility for the risks they are taking with the economy. "

Shadow Business Secretary, Pat McFadden MP, responding to the latest survey of business attitudes from the Federation of Small Businesses said:

"This survey shows the huge risks the Government is running with the economy.  

“By cutting back spending so fast and so deeply, this is not just having an effect on the public sector but the private sector too.  

“Today's figures show a sense of foreboding among small businesses about their prospects for the future."