When legal aid was first introduced in 1949, the late Arthur Skeffington said that the law at that time was like The Ritz, in that those who could afford to pay had access to it, while those who could not did not.

United we stand, divided we fall is one of the oldest and truest slogans of the Labour movement.

Many people in my constituency come to see me absolutely distraught at the prospect of losing their private rented flat because of the imposition of a housing benefit cut. Social cleansing is going on in all of central London because of the benefit cap. That is a disgraceful situation.

I don't make personal abuse against anybody, I don't mind personal remarks.

Sorry, but we live in a democracy and the Government has to be responsive to Parliament.

It is a ludicrous statistic plucked out of the air and used to justify a quite appalling attack on many of the poorest people in this country.

If someone walked along any high street anywhere in London, and probably anywhere in the country, and looked into a letting agency, they would see a sign saying, 'No benefits here.' In other words, anyone in receipt of a state benefit is not allowed to apply for a private rented flat from that agent.