Live Debate: Commons Chamber

Q3. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote equality as part of the Government mission entitled Break Down Barriers to Opportunity. (908215)

Question number three, Mr. Speaker.

11:39

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, our recent Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper sets out our ambition to raise standards for all children and to halve the disadvantaged gap between poorer children and and their peers at the end of their secondary school career. To make sure that where you're from does not determine where you end up. We are expanding free school meals and scrapping the two child limit to lift half a million children out of poverty. That is a difference a Labour government makes.

11:39

Mr Connor Rand MP (Altrincham and Sale West, Labour)

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Poverty and economic inequality scar the education and life chances of children. Isn't it right that by lifting the two child limit, delivering 30 hours of free childcare, rolling out free breakfast clubs and family hubs and opening new school based nurseries including at Altrincham C of E Primary School in my constituency. This government is investing in equality for children and this is an investment that will be repaid many times over, when every child has the support they need to reach their full potential.

11:40

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Yes, Mr. Speaker, tackling child poverty is not just a moral poverty is not just a moral imperative. It is an investment in our country's future and in our own economic security as well. That is why we are determined to give every child the best start in life. The party opposite might not like it. That's because on their watch, record numbers of children were pushed into poverty. This Labour government will lift half a million children out of poverty.

11:40

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP (Gosport, Conservative)

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Caroline Dinenage Mr. speaker, but on her watch and the number of young people not in education, employment or training in Gosport has now reached around 5%. That's the highest figure in 15 years. Is it any wonder when so many of the job opportunities that used to be there for our young people like retail, hospitality and hair and beauty are being battered by this government? Surely one of the best ways to tackle inequality and poverty is to give people the right education and the right job opportunities.

What her government and her department are going to do.

11:41

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, we do face a really serious challenge about the big numbers of young people who are not in education, employment or training, and that is something we are committed to tackling. It's why Alan Milburn is leading a review for this government as to what more we can do to support young people. It's why we've launched our schools white paper, why we're investing in further education, why we're expanding new routes into apprenticeships. But I would just say this didn't happen overnight. This is a problem that has developed over many, many years.

And the party opposite would do well to reflect on the contribution they made to the shocking numbers of young people we see that are Neet. Andrew Cooper number.

11:41

Q4. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to mark International Women’s Day. (908216)

Four.

11:42

Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Feltham and Heston, Labour )

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Mr Speaker Minister. have marked International Women's Day by highlighting what we're doing to support working women, halve violence against women and girls, and build a better future for every woman and girl. Last week, I was proud to formally launch Employer Action Plans alongside the Secretary of State, the Minister for Women and Equalities, our ministerial colleague, the Right Honourable Baroness Smith, is currently attending the Commission on the Status of Women. We are putting women at the heart of our missions in government and our foreign policy because we recognise that progress on gender equality must know no borders.

11:42

Andrew Cooper MP (Mid Cheshire, Labour)

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Andrew Cooper. >> Andrew Cooper. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This International Women's Day, I commend the work of her Place Charitable Trust in my constituency, Charitable Trust in my constituency, which supports women's well-being and creates spaces to facilitate conversations about health and other challenges. Her place, say many women, especially in deprived areas, visit their GP with poor mental health but are given medication without any meaningful discussion about what's happening in their lives. With Healthwatch England reporting that many women feel unheard and those in deprived areas facing 20 fewer healthy years.

How will the government back community based wraparound services to close those gaps?

11:43

Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Feltham and Heston, Labour )

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Minister. >> Minister. >> May I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I join him in his question. I join him in commending the work of her place and all community based support. We are rolling out neighbourhood health centres across the country, prioritising areas with the greatest need, and local authorities and integrated care boards will work together to design these services to reflect the needs of local women. Mental health funding has increased by 688 million this year and and is backed by almost 8000 extra staff, new mental health centres and talking therapies which will ensure that women receive the personalised support that they need.

11:43

Alison Griffiths MP (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, Conservative)

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Alison Griffiths. >> Alison Griffiths. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following International Women's Day and with English Tourism Week and with English Tourism Week approaching, I've been meeting female entrepreneurs across Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, including Kathleen the Navigator Hotel, who featured on the The Hotel Inspector only last week, and many others through my business club. These businesses are vital to coastal economies, but many women say it remains difficult to scale and grow. So what assessment has she made of the barriers facing women entrepreneurs in sectors like tourism and hospitality?

11:44

Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Feltham and Heston, Labour )

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Minister I thank the hon. Member for that brilliant question, because we have to do everything we can to be supporting women entrepreneurs, and it is vital that we look at the challenges that we see women facing in a range of sectors, which is why we have that work continuing through the Women's Business Council. It's also why we have the Investing in Women code that's been backed by our first female Chancellor, and it is why we want to see the progress of women, both in entrepreneurship and in the workplace, a priority, and why? I was also proud to attend the 30% Clubs International Women's Day breakfast this morning in the House.

11:45

Sarah Owen MP (Luton North, Labour)

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Select Committee, sir. Owen.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's sad, but it's true that. International Women's. Day rings hollow for far too

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Day rings hollow for far too many women, but particularly the three brave women that I have just three brave women that I have just met. They are survivors of Epstein. For them, important days like that For them, important days like that come and go. But what is the Minister doing to ensure that we don't just mark important days for don't just mark important days for women and girls, but give them the protection and justice they deserve and to hold perpetrators like Andrew Mountbatten to account, not just for reports of sharing state secrets, but also for trafficking and sexual abuse of women and girls.

11:45

Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Feltham and Heston, Labour )

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Minister. absolutely right that now the focus must absolutely be about the victims of these appalling crimes and putting in place support for women and girls who have faced horrendous violence. Multiple police forces are now assessing allegations arising from the Epstein files, and the National Police Chiefs Council has established a national coordination group, and has now appointed a senior investigator to support forces in reviewing the extensive material and progressing the resulting investigations. The senior investigator will work with the UK forces, the National Crime Agency, VAWG specialists and the Crown Prosecution Service and the US authorities to ensure a approach.

11:46

Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP (East Surrey, Conservative)

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Claire Coutinho Shadow Secretary of State. >> It's been almost a year since the Supreme Court ruling, and I the Supreme Court ruling, and I come here time after time to ask what progress is being made. I was going to ask today if the government could confirm that every government department is fully compliant with the ruling, but honestly, there's almost no point because we know the answer is no. So on this International Women's Day isn't the truth that the former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission had a point when she said that the Labour Party seems to have completely abandoned women's rights?

11:47

Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Feltham and Heston, Labour )

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Yeah. surprise the shadow Minister that I disagree with her on this. And I an important to say that we have been clear that all service providers must follow the law, as clarified by the For Women Scotland ruling. It is also the case that the as she knows, the EHRC has given the government the code of practice which we are working through, and it is important to also say that any suggestions of delay that come are completely wrong.

She knows it was a lengthy document covering all the protected characteristics. If we take this seriously and we are working to get it right Alex Easton.

11:48

Alex Easton MP (North Down, Independent)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On International Women's Day this year, many of us reflected on the scandal of group based sexual exploitation of group based sexual exploitation of young women and girls in Britain. Will the Minister commit that by International Women's Day 2027, the government will have implemented the key interim lessons from the independent inquiry into grooming gangs and from other reports commissioned in this matter by members of this House.

11:48

Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Feltham and Heston, Labour )

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Minister. >> Minister. >> Mr. speaker, I thank the hon. Gentleman. This is an incredibly important topic, and he will know that we have always been clear that our paramount objective is to root out the horrific crimes of grooming gangs and to punish perpetrators, and to protect children from harm. It is also important to note how the Home Secretary has made she know. He knows we have made a statement accepting the recommendations of Baroness Casey's audit into group based child sexual exploitation, which included a national inquiry into into grooming.

We are also committing to committed to changing the criminal law for adults penetrating children under 16. We are absolutely committed to making sure that we root out this evil crime, these evil crimes, and continue to make sure that we do that with our work across government.

11:49

Jess Phillips MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Birmingham Yardley, Labour)

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Question number five, please, Mr. Speaker. Mr. delivering commitments set out in the cross-Government freedom from Violence and Abuse Strategy, published in December 2025, which sets out actions to prevent violence, pursue perpetrators and support victims. A ministerial group bringing together 14 departments provide strategic oversight to delivery, driving progress, addressing risk and ensuring collective ownership of our commitments to halve VAWG within a decade.

11:49

Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, I recently visited Wolverhampton Girls High School in my constituency of Wolverhampton West and was pleased to see posters promoting the Orange Wolverhampton campaign, working with community partners in the fight against gender based violence and abuse. Whilst the criminal justice system, of course, has a part to play in tackling violence against women and girls, does the Minister agree that we need to do more to achieve community based early intervention and prevention, and that educating and raising awareness in our young people, especially our young boys, about VAWG can benefit not only the victims, but the perpetrators and our justice system as well.

Sir.

11:50

Jess Phillips MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Birmingham Yardley, Labour)

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I thank the hon. Gentleman I was >> I thank the hon. Gentleman I was this weekend with Black Country Women's Aid celebrating their 40th anniversary, and they mentioned how anniversary, and they mentioned how the hon. Gentleman had been incredibly supportive of them. The first three aims of our strategy is stopping violence before it starts focusing on the prevention he talks about, we will focus on young people supporting parents and working with schools to challenge misogyny and promote healthy relationships.

We will also engage with industry and take decisive action to safeguard young people, by making the UK one of the hardest places for children to access harmful content and misogynistic influence.

11:51

Mr Gregory Campbell MP (East Londonderry, Democratic Unionist Party)

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Gregory Campbell.

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undertake to consult with. The Northern Ireland Justice Minister because violence against Minister because violence against women and girls continues to increase? Another woman killed in the past few days in Northern Ireland, and we need to take positive action to stem this misogynistic abuse of both women

11:51

Jess Phillips MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Birmingham Yardley, Labour)

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and girls. >> Minister. >> I thank the hon. Gentleman and

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I thank the hon. Gentleman and he highlights another incredibly sad case. Of course, I work with the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland. As with all the devolved administrations, we work very, very closely to make sure that we are working together to to deal with this problem collectively.

11:51

Mims Davies MP (East Grinstead and Uckfield, Conservative)

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Chorley Secretary. State Minister.

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From police forces. Nothing from Police Scotland Healthcare today Police Scotland Healthcare today reported back in 2025 that Women's Rights Network, via FOI, found 1 in Rights Network, via FOI, found 1 in 7 sexual crimes, 266 Mr Speaker 7 sexual crimes, 266 Mr Speaker were on hospital wards, 2 in 5 female medical students reported sexual harassment or assault in university, with just 4% charged for these offences. Perpetrators are getting away with it, surely committing more attacks. So with the backdrop of Labour's shameful choices on jury trials yesterday, all appalling.

When will the Minister and this government act to protect women on wards?

11:52

Jess Phillips MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Birmingham Yardley, Labour)

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Minister. >> Minister. >> What I would like to say to the hon. Lady that if she were to read the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, there is a specific Girls strategy, there is a specific sections around healthcare workers and workers across the community specifically targeting the issue of sexual harassment within the NHS. But what I would also point out to her that the charging rate fell in sexual crimes, fell to a historic low under her government, and I am very pleased to tell the House that it is now increasing.

spokesperson.

11:53

Marie Goldman MP (Chelmsford, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. speaker, last month The Guardian revealed that suicides following domestic abuse may be vastly underreported, with research in Kent suggesting it could be 15 times more prevalent. There has been just one manslaughter conviction from such a death in the whole of UK legal history. Liberal Democrats, in the other place, recently tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, supported by Women's Aid and Advocacy after fatal domestic abuse, requiring police to investigate suicides as potential homicides where there is a reasonable suspicion of a history of domestic abuse.

Given the government's reluctance to support that measure, will the Minister commit to making the College of Policing published guidance on this matter statutory? So these cases are properly investigated across all forces?

11:54

Jess Phillips MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Birmingham Yardley, Labour)

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I thank the hon. Lady and once again point to this exact issue, which is covered in the violence against women and girls strategy with the need to improve police responses. That is why the government has invested £13.1 million into policing centre that focuses specifically on VAWG who have undertaken on this specific issue of suicide in domestic abuse. Some absolutely groundbreaking work that will lead. I very much hope to change and further conviction, which we would all want to see.

11:54

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Come to Topicals Mohammad Yasin. >> Mr. speaker, following International Women's Day, this government is taking another step towards a fairer Britain. We have towards a fairer Britain. We have published guidance for business to encourage them not just to report their gender pay gap, but to set out plans to tackle it, because reducing the gender pay gap is good for women and it is good for growth too. We're expanding childcare, introducing new workplace protections and implementing a landmark strategy to tackle violence against women and girls.

11:55

Mohammad Yasin MP (Bedford, Labour)

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Mohammad Yasin Mr. time in the UK has risen to eight years and ten months. Constituents in Bedford and Kempston, including a staff member with a rare form, still face long delays for treatment. So will the Secretary of State set improved targets and mandate GP training on recognising endometriosis in the Women's Health Strategy to speed up diagnosis.

11:55

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Firstly. women often spend years being dismissed, misdiagnosed or just not being listened to. This is completely unacceptable and we are determined to tackle it. To improve early diagnosis of the condition, we continue to roll out community diagnostic centres and through our renewed women's Health strategy, which we will publish soon, will be focussed on speeding up diagnosis and treatment of mental health and gynaecological conditions, including endometriosis.

11:55

Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP (East Surrey, Conservative)

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Sir Secretary of State Claire Coutinho. publishing their Islamophobia definition this week, there were calls from within the Labour Party for it to be weaponised, to stifle free speech. And yet we know there have been multiple cases of our public services being too scared of being called Islamophobic to speak freely to save women and girls from serious harm. So can the Secretary of State explain why the Labour Party thought it was worth trading the safety of women and girls for their own narrow political interests?

11:56

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, what absolute >> Mr. speaker, what absolute rubbish. This is a serious issue. We know that there are people who want to pull our country apart, but want to pull our country apart, but I am proud that we live in a multi-ethnic, diverse and tolerant nation where we celebrate our shared values. It is right that we take action against anti-Muslim hatred in our country as we take action on anti-Semitism, too, and we've set out further steps in that area. But it is completely unacceptable that anyone would face intimidation or harassment on the basis of their faith.

But that is not in conflict with our fundamental belief in the right to freedom of speech. Catherine Fookes freedom of speech. Catherine Fookes and the economic abuse victim loses.

11:57

Catherine Fookes MP (Monmouthshire, Labour)

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Her life.

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According to surviving economic abuse, with over half of domestic homicide reviews involving this homicide reviews involving this form of abuse by their partner. What steps is the Secretary of State taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle it, both through the violence against women strategy of the government and

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strategy of the government and through improving understanding within relevant agencies? Minister.

11:57

Jess Phillips MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Birmingham Yardley, Labour)

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>> Minister. >> I thank the hon. Lady. The cross-government VAWG strategy that she. She speaks of sets out an ambitious package of measures to prevent and tackle economic abuse and support victims. This includes exploring how to prevent joint mortgages being used as a tool of abuse, ensuring co.s debt is accurately reflected, and addresses the very severe problem of victims credit files, and piloting the use of economic abuse evidence form within the government to improve abuse.

11:58

Kirsty Blackman MP (Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party)

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Blackburn months ago. In the King's Speech, the government announced that it would bring forward the draft, Race and Disability Equality Bill. We have not seen this draft yet. Next week will be a year since the consultation was launched. When will we see the draft bill and what will the process of scrutiny be for that bill? Good question.

11:58

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, I. in this area. Good progress has been made in developing the policy. We will publish the government's response as soon as we can, as well as setting out next steps in terms of legislation we'll bring forward. This was a key manifesto commitment and we will deliver it.

11:58

Richard Quigley MP (Isle of Wight West, Labour)

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Richard Quigley. Wight and the rest of UK. Please, please. I know you love the Isle of Wight. You just did nothing about it in power. The wage gap between between the Isle of Wight and the rest of the UK leaves full time island employees around 5500 pounds worse off, compared to the national average. For female islanders, it's around £8,000 a year worse off. Will the Secretary of State work urgently with Cabinet colleagues to address the island wage gap, particularly for women? Does she agree that closing that gap is good for women, good for communities and good for growth?

11:59

Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities) (Feltham and Heston, Labour )

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Minister.

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I firmly agree that women's equality and economic growth go hand in hand. That is why I was hand in hand. That is why I was pleased to join the Secretary of State in formally launching action plans last week, so that large employers will be encouraged to set employers will be encouraged to set out the steps they are taking to narrow their gender pay gap. This will ensure that women are able to thrive in the workplace across the country, including in the Isle of

11:59

Prime Minister's Question Time

Wight. >> Right. We now come to Prime Minister's Questions. We start with Sureena Brackenridge.

11:59

Sureena Brackenridge MP (Wolverhampton North East, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question one.

11:59

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Prime Minister. night to protect British lives and British interests in the Middle East. The RAF have flown over 230 hours of defensive operations over multiple countries, shooting down multiple drones, protecting British lives and our allies. We thank them for their courage and for their professionalism. Mr. speaker, this morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House. I shall have further such meetings later today.

12:00

Sureena Brackenridge MP (Wolverhampton North East, Labour)

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Prime Minister strengthening Britain's defence capability and rebuilding our industrial base has never been more important. Can the government's billion pound helicopter investment with Leonardo UK support skilled jobs across the UK, including Tata Steel in Wentzville and my supply chains in Wolverhampton North East, where we are immensely proud of our Black Country steel and manufacturing heritage. And will the Prime Minister ask relevant Ministers to meet me to discuss securing more of those good jobs in Wolverhampton and Willenhall?

12:01

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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I thank my hon. Friend. I'm very happy to arrange the meeting that she is asking for. Our £1 billion investment in new helicopters is good news for steel makers in her constituency, and secures thousands of jobs across the United Kingdom. Mr. speaker, we are making defence an engine for growth, jobs, building helicopters, new Typhoons in the north west, new frigates creating a decade of shipbuilding on the Clyde. A Labour government investing in our armed forces. investing in our armed forces.

12:01

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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Leader of the Opposition. Kemi Badenoch.

12:01

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Why does the Prime. time to increase the cost of petrol? >> Prime Minister? >> Mr. speaker, we are not

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Mr. speaker, we are not increasing the cost of petrol. We are absolutely clear in taking the measures that are necessary to deal measures that are necessary to deal with the impact of the conflict in Iran. We are dealing with that with other allies. We are taking the necessary action. But the best thing that we can do, Mr. Speaker, is to work with others to de-escalate the situation. Mr. speaker, as I said to the House last week, I took the decision that we should not join the initial Us-israeli offensive against Iran.

The Leader of the Opposition attacked me for that decision relentlessly. She said that the UK joined the US and Israel in the initial offensive strikes. Mr. speaker, then yesterday, in the wake of the economic consequences, the Leader of the Opposition totally abandoned her position. She told the BBC I never said we should told the BBC I never said we should join. She should, she told the BBC. I haven't said we should have gone in with the United States.

That is the mother of all U-turns on the single most important decision of Prime Minister ever has to take, whether to commit the United Kingdom to war or not.

12:03

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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Mr. speaker, I think the mother of all U-turns is him saying that they're not increasing fuel duty. That is news to us, because last week the Chancellor, the Chancellor, stood up and said the fuel duty was going to increase in September. The Prime Minister told us at the start of the year that the cost of living was his number one priority. So can he explain how a rise in fuel duty helps with the cost of living?

12:03

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Mr Speaker fuel duty is frozen. It's going to remain frozen until September, and we will keep the situation under review. In light of what's happening in Iran. But Mr. Speaker, the most, the most. Mr. speaker, the most important issue is de-escalating the situation. And I come back to the leader of the opposition's position because this is one of the most important positions decisions a Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition ever has to take, whether to commit your country to war the day after the initial US Israeli strike started, has shadow Foreign Secretary said that the Us-israeli initial attacks were absolutely right? And it is a position my party supports.

She said why has the Prime Minister not actually worked with America to be much more proactive? Last Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition. We are in this war, whether we like it or not. What is the Prime Minister waiting for? Then? Yesterday, yesterday, yesterday she says, I never said I know they don't want to hear it. I know they don't. I wouldn't want to hear it if I were them. After all

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that, she says order, order. Enough is enough. I can't hear

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Enough is enough. I can't hear it. Who wants to lead the first

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it. Who wants to lead the first ones out? Right. We'll have a little bit more silence, Prime Minister. So after nine days of saying.

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So after nine days of saying. Join the war, join the war, join the war yesterday she says, I never said we should join. I haven't said said we should join. I haven't said we should go in with the US. I'll tell you what's happened, Mr. Speaker. She and the reform leader have been spooked because they realise they've jumped into supporting a war without thinking through the consequences. And now she's furiously trying to back-pedal.

12:06

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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Kemi Badenoch. asking last week's questions. This week I'm asking about fuel duty. He has said that he wants to help. Mr. Mr Speaker. He has said that he wants to help with the cost of living. My constituents live in a rural area. They rely on their cars to get to the shops, take their kids to school, see their elderly parents and they tell me the rising cost of petrol is the single biggest cost affecting family finances.

So does the Prime Minister not understand how important cars are to people in rural areas, or does he just not care?

12:06

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Prime Minister. >> Prime Minister. >> Mr. Speaker, we're working across all departments and with allies to deal with the impact of allies to deal with the impact of the conflict in Iran, as the House would expect. But she says about if I'd asked her last week, her position would have been, we support the initial strikes and we want to join the war this week. This week, she says, we don't want to join the war. I'm sorry. That is a screeching U-turn.

And, Mr. Speaker, this is in this in this job, you don't you don't get a second shot at making the right call on taking your country to war. If she were Prime Minister, Mr. Speaker, we would be in the war, and she would be coming back to Parliament a week later to say, oh, sorry, I got that one wrong.

12:07

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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Order, order order, order! I'm sorry I'm interrupting you, but unfortunately, we've got to stick to Prime Minister's questions, not

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opposition. Kemi Badenoch. Mr. speaker, he said if I were Prime Minister, if I were Prime Minister, HMS Dragon would have Minister, HMS Dragon would have left a week ago. The only time. The left a week ago. The only time. The only time. Mr. speaker, the only time he's taken decisive action was stopping Andy Burnham from standing in the byelection. But let's talk about what the people out there are worried about. I heard from a builder, Mr.

Speaker, who has 115 employees using 75 vans with the jobs tax, sky high energy bills and now a hike in petrol prices. That builder is having sleepless nights. How does the Prime Minister justify a rise in fuel duty to that small business owner, and millions more like him, up and down the country?

12:08

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Prime Minister. >> Prime Minister. >> There hasn't been a rise. It is frozen. There isn't. It is frozen until September. And she. Mr. speaker, she mentions the HMS Dragon. Can I first start by thanking the Royal Navy who are serving on ships coming? Can I second say that what's been happening is it's been carefully being loaded with the anti strike ammunition and capability that it needs, and the Navy and civilians have been working 22 hour shifts in relationship.

But in relation to those that are taking the action to defend us, what does she say? Just just hanging about. Just hanging about. That's how she described our pilots in the region. Let me tell you what they've been doing flying sorties in seven of the ten countries in the region. Day and night, taking out incoming strikes, protecting the lives of others whilst risking their own. If she had any decency, she'd get up and she would apologise. she would apologise.

12:09

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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Mr. speaker. Oh hang on. I think they should wait for it. Mr. speaker, I have never criticised our armed forces. I have criticised I have criticised him.

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Mr. swallow, you're going out. I've had enough. Week in, week out,

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I believe. No real navy. Mr. speaker, I have never

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Mr. speaker, I have never criticised our armed forces. I am criticising him and his decision. And let me remind the House, Mr. Speaker, about his record on the armed forces. This is the same man who worked with Phil Shiner, a who worked with Phil Shiner, a traitor to this country, who made up evidence to put our soldiers in prison for crimes they didn't commit. That is his record. So I wouldn't take any lectures from him. And by the way, military families are also worried.

The ones in this country about petrol prices. He's got nothing to say on that. And there's another group of people, Mr. Speaker, who have been hammered by this government. Farmers? I spent all last year telling the Prime Minister that his family farms tax was killing British farming. Now those farmers are being punished with higher fuel prices. Does the Prime Minister think that's fair? Yes, sir.

12:10

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Mr. speaker. No apology to our pilots who are risking their lives. And I'm not going to take lectures from. I'm not going to take lectures from someone who says we should join the war. And a week later says, can I change my mind? I got that wrong. It is deeply embarrassing. But she's not the only one. Mr. speaker, last week, she's not the only one. The leader of reform. We should be part of this with the and the Israelis. We have to get rid of the regime.

We should do all we can to support the operation. I make that perfectly, perfectly clear. He said until yesterday. Screeching U-turn. We shouldn't get ourselves involved in another foreign war. Two parties packed with failed Tories, led by leaders who are not fit to be Prime Minister.

12:11

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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Mr. speaker, he doesn't want to talk about fuel duty because he has got absolutely no answers. The Conservatives are on the side of farmers. We are also on the side of drivers. We froze fuel duty every year from 2011, and in fact, we cut it in 2022 because we care about the cost of living. Labour think drivers are a cash cow. And now and now, Mr. Speaker, they think the drivers are a cash cow and now they're hiking fuel duty for the first time in 15 years.

Everyone in this house, everyone in this house knows the pattern. First, he'll march his backbenchers up the hill. Then they'll be forced to defend fuel duty rises in the local elections. Then there'll be another humiliating U-turn. So why doesn't the Prime Minister just stand up, admit he's got it wrong again, and scrap the fuel duty hike. Now!

12:12

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Mr. Speaker, in the last two weeks, I've made two of the most important decisions of Prime Minister can make. The first. The first is that we should not join the war in Iran. The second is we should protect British lives and the British national interest. The Leader of the Opposition decided that we should join the war against Iran. A week later that we should not join the war against Iran. And to insult our armed forces, she has utterly disqualified herself from ever becoming Prime Minister.

Thankfully, she never will.

12:13

David Williams MP (Stoke-on-Trent North, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> As the Prime Minister knows, my mom proudly worked in the potbanks of Burslem and Tunstall and is watching at home right now. Tomorrow is International Day of Ceramics and that matters deeply to Stoke on Trent, the historic heart of Britain's ceramic industry, with yes and Newcastle-under-Lyme. With energy prices rising again due to global instability, will the Prime Minister please tell my mum and our fellow Stokies what additional support the government will give energy intensive industries like ceramics? So the kilns of Stoke on Trent Fire for generations to come.

12:14

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Prime Minister. It is a really important issue and I know that not only his mum be watching but his constituents who he serves very, very well. Our supercharger will significantly reduce costs for thousands of major industries. Eligibility for the scheme is being reviewed this year. I can tell my hon. Friend, we're working with the ceramics industry on whether the scheme can be extended to more firms. Under the last government, industrial energy prices doubled and over 1000 jobs were lost in the sector.

We will not tolerate that.

12:14

Rt Hon Ed Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)

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Said David, leader of the Liberal Democrats. pay tribute to the hon. Member for Warrington North for her powerful and courageous speech in the debate on jury trials yesterday. I really hope the Prime Minister was listening. Mr. speaker, 30 years ago this week, a man carried four handguns into Dunblane Primary School and murdered a teacher and 16 children. I was deeply moved by the BBC documentary about it last night, and the courage of the parents, who campaigned for a ban on handguns to keep other children safe, including Mick North, who lost his five year old daughter Sophie on that dark day.

He is rightly called on the hon. Member for Clacton to renounce his description of the handgun ban as, and I quote, ludicrous. Something the member still refuses to do. And Mr. North has also called for a review of firearms legislation to close any loopholes. Does the Prime Minister agree?

12:15

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Prime Minister? must never forget the horror of Dunblane. And never forget the young children and their teacher who did not come home from school. The campaign that families fought to make this country a safer place is a lasting legacy, and we should be enormously grateful for their courage.

12:16

Rt Hon Ed Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)

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Sir Ed Davey. loopholes. Mr. speaker, this week families across the country have seen petrol prices rise at the pump. Mortgage rates go up and fixed energy deals get more expensive, all because of a war they did not start and do not support. The leader of the Conservatives has been competing with the hon. Member for Clacton to be Donald Trump's biggest cheerleader, and the Prime

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Minister was right to reject their costly warmongering. Yeah.

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Yeah. But last week I asked him to guarantee that energy bills won't guarantee that energy bills won't rise by hundreds of pounds in July. He didn't answer. So let me try He didn't answer. So let me try again. Will he give people that energy bill guarantee now?

12:17

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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energy bill guarantee now? >> Prime Minister. >> Can I thank him for raising this? Because people will be really worried about the impact on them. And just to reassure households that the the cap is in place until the end of June, until July, and therefore that deals with the situation for households. There we are working with the sector and with others, and with allies to do everything we can to make sure those energy bills don't rise and we're working round the clock on that.

The most important thing, the most effective thing we can do, is to work with our allies, to find a way to de-escalate the situation. He's right about the Leader of the Opposition, leader of reform. Last week they were urging to join. This is serious to join. If they had been leading the country, if they had been leading the country, we'd

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be in a war. And they've now come to Parliament to say. Oop, order, order, order! Prime

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Oop, order, order, order! Prime Minister, who said, lying again, I want that withdrawal is not want that withdrawal is not withdrawal and I want I'll deal with it. Thank you. I don't want any more of the frontbench. We take any more of the frontbench. We take it very seriously. And colleague, another member of light is not

12:18

Josh Dean MP (Hertford and Stortford, Labour)

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acceptable, Prime Minister. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And so that's our position. >> Josh Dean.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Too often I hear from families in Hertford and Stortford whose Hertford and Stortford whose children have been left out of education for months or even years because they can't get a school place that meets their needs within place that meets their needs within a reasonable distance. I'm campaigning for more investment in the bricks and mortar SEND provision that semi-rural provision that semi-rural communities like ours need so families can access support early and easily and their children can and easily and their children can thrive in education.

So will the Prime Minister back my campaign to expand SEND provision in Hertford and Stortford, and will he arrange a meeting with the relevant Minister so we can discuss it in more detail?

12:18

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Yeah, yeah. >> Prime Minister. >> Mr Speaker is right. Families are crying out for change and that's why it's really critical we get this right. Our reforms will get this right. Our reforms will fix the broken system where parents have to fight for support, replacing it with tailored support, personal to a child's need. Our best start family hub in every local authority with a dedicated Sen practitioner will help families with face to face support they need. My hon. Friend is a great advocate on this issue, and I'm happy to make sure he gets the meeting that he's asking for.

12:19

Rt Hon Stephen Flynn MP (Aberdeen South, Scottish National Party)

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Stephen Flynn Mr. speaker. >> Let's be clear Donald Trump's war in Iran is illegal, and the situation that has unfolded since situation that has unfolded since is verging on insane. Oil is falling from the skies, sewers are exploding. The IRGC is indiscriminately attacking civilians across the region, cargo ships, and potentially even mining the Strait of Hormuz. The economic consequences of which will be stark for the global economy. But for every single person living on these isles, too, and whether the Prime Minister accepts it or not, he did indeed take us into that war when he allowed the Americans to use UK bases.

Just last week. But I have a specific question. He will have seen the same footage I have of an American Tomahawk missile landing on a primary school, killing 110 children. Does he believe that to be a war crime?

12:20

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Yes. >> Mr. speaker, we are all concerned by that footage. But let me be absolutely clear with him. We me be absolutely clear with him. We have 300,000 UK nationals, including Scottish citizens, in the region. Air strikes, missiles and drones are being fired into the region, putting them at great danger. We are taking action to protect them. I am astonished that the SNP says don't take action to support Scottish citizens in the region. It's outrageous.

12:21

Peter Dowd MP (Bootle, Labour)

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Peter Dowd.

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highways. National highways. The government owned company has reneged on a promise to replace the demolished footbridge at Park Lane West in Netherton. It crossed one West in Netherton. It crossed one of the busiest roads and junctions on Merseyside, used by countless residents, particularly children residents, particularly children and parents going to and from infant and primary school. My infant and primary school. My constituents have requested that that bridge be replaced with no ifs or buts. Will the Prime Minister support my constituents very reasonable request to honour that promise made by National Highways?

12:21

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Can I thank him for campaigning for his constituency's residents, who are obviously concerned about this? As I understand it, National Highways has concluded the best option for all users, pedestrians and cyclists is a new crossing, but I thank him for raising the points and I'll be happy for Ministers to continue discussing him with him. The options Madam Chair.

12:22

Wendy Chamberlain MP (North East Fife, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon the Mandelson papers or the first tranche will be released, bringing into the light for the first time UK institutional knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein and those associated with him. Here in the UK. We have our own Epstein, Mohamed Fayed and the institutions that supported his crimes. As a co-chair of the APPG for the survivors of Al-Fayed and Harrods, along with the hon. Member for Lichfield, we welcome the actions of the Metropolitan Police in recent days, but we continue to call on them to describe those crimes as what they were trafficking.

Does the Prime Minister recognise that characterisation, and will he meet with the APPG and survivors to hear their asks.

12:22

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Prime Minister. discussed it with the hon. Member for Lichfield last night, particularly the approach of the APPG, and thank her for her important work on this issue. I'm very happy to meet the APPG and the victims. I think it's very important to do so. She'll know there's an ongoing police investigation, but that doesn't mean that we can't have the meeting and listen to those that need to be listened to.

12:23

Catherine Atkinson MP (Derby North, Labour)

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Catherine Atkinson.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Team Derby. Is our partnership, making sure that the billions of pounds in sure that the billions of pounds in investment that this Labour government is bringing into Derby benefits the people of Derby in benefits the people of Derby in three generation skills and good jobs. The government's record investment in Rolls-Royce investment in Rolls-Royce submarines means hundreds of new jobs and apprenticeships in Derby. So will the Prime Minister firmly reject the Green Party's defence policies, which would decimate jobs in Derby and leave the United Kingdom unprotected? Mr.

12:23

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Can I thank Derby as part of our industrial heritage and has a bright future? Initiatives, as she says, like Team Derby, are so important to strengthen key sectors like defence, creating jobs and growth. Our £9 billion deal with Rolls-Royce to boost our fleet of nuclear submarines is testament to that. Creating more than 1000 jobs and safeguarding 4000 more. Those that oppose all that must answer to the working people that they claim to represent.

12:24

Mr Gagan Mohindra MP (South West Hertfordshire, Conservative)

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Gagan Mohindra.

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Dahieh. Prime Minister will be happy that I'm not going to ask about fuel duty. Yeah. Businesses across South West Hertfordshire are telling me they're now reluctant to take on young workers due to this government's widening employer, National Insurance contributions and the crippling Employment Rights Bill. With almost a million young people now not in employment, education or training. How exactly

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education or training. How exactly does the Prime Minister plan to get Great Britain working again? Yeah.

12:24

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, we're putting in place the Youth Guarantee, which helps young people into work. It is a serious issue. I would remind him that on their watch, 1 in 8 young people were neither in education, training or work.

12:25

Graham Stringer MP (Blackley and Middleton South, Labour)

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Stringer. >> Stringer. >> Mr. speaker, the National Audit Office report on Northern Office report on Northern Powerhouse Rail, which came out on Monday of this week, surprised none of us in its conclusions that lack of engagement by the Department of Transport with mayoral authorities, local authorities and other involved parties in the north of England was leading to poor programming and lack of investment in in the rail system in the north of England. We deserve in the north of England, a rail system for the 21st century, not the 19th century, which is what it is for investing in the rail system will enable growth in the north of England, which will benefit the whole of the country.

Will the Prime Minister take a personal interest in the slowness of investment in the rail system, so that we can have that growth?

12:26

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Prime Minister. >> Prime Minister. >> Thank you for raising this important point. The party opposite gave nothing but false promises for gave nothing but false promises for a decade. We will deliver the biggest transformation transport in the North for a generation, providing up to £45 billion of funding to deliver. We are taking forward all recommendations from the Now report that does not change the planning or the trajectory of the project.

12:26

Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP (South West Wiltshire, Conservative)

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Doctor Andrew Murrison yeah. overoptimistic Treasury assumptions on council tax base growth mean that eight fire stations and 96 retained firefighters across Wiltshire and Dorset face the axe. Would the Prime Minister please facilitate an urgent ministerial meeting for Wiltshire and Dorset MPs to discuss extending the precept flexibility permitted elsewhere, at no cost to the Treasury, to our fire and rescue service, so its fire stations and its dedicated fire fighters can continue to serve our community.

12:27

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Prime Minister, I. sure that the relevant meeting is set up so that the details can be explored.

12:27

Sonia Kumar MP (Dudley, Labour)

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Sonia Kumar. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> Russia's continued. >> Assault on Ukraine has devastated its healthcare system. Hospitals are under extreme pressure, and their critical shortage of specialist staff to treat the injured. That is why I, along with other British physiotherapists, travelled to Ukraine to train clinicians who are working under unimaginable pain. Will the Prime Minister join me in thanking Tanisha Sandhu, Daniel SIM K Jo Andrew George for the remarkable work? And will he commit to expanding UK Ukraine clinical training partnerships?

12:27

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Yes, I will and can I pay tribute to her and the rest of the delegation for their commendable work in Kyiv? We recently announced a new package of support for Ukraine enabling highly skilled British surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists to mentor Ukrainian clinicians treating complex battlefield injuries. Mr. speaker, on one of my recent trips to Kyiv, I went to one of the hospitals where they were treating the burns of those returning from the front line, and it was humbling to see the work that was being done.

And I was extremely proud to know that the UK was helping in treating those who had such awful burns.

12:28

Kirsty Blackman MP (Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party)

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Kirsty Blackman Westminster is tax on Scotland's energy is holding back investment and it's costing thousands of families their livelihoods. After months of refusing to do so, the Chancellor has finally now said she is committed to change. So will the Prime Minister confirm to the House today when the GPM will be introduced to provide certainty for jobs, certainty for investment and, security?

12:29

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Hear, hear. certainty for energy security, and oil and gas will be part of the mix for many years to come. I would remind her that 70,000 jobs were lost under the SNP and conservatives in the last decade. We want energy security. We see new nuclear as part of that energy security and what the SNP do, they block it.

12:29

Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP (Mitcham and Morden, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Silently >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Silently and in semi secrecy. London and the South East of England are experiencing the largest mass eviction by a private landlord in decades. Criterion capital have issued at least 130 no fault evictions across their portfolio, including in Britannia Point, in Colliers Wood in my constituency. Those affected have done nothing wrong. They have paid their rent, looked after their homes and worked hard. They are simply victims of a voracious landlord who always wants more.

Will the Prime Minister ensure that in the final weeks before the abolition of no fault evictions, his government do all they can to hold criterion capital to account?

12:30

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Can I thank her for raising this case? Renters should have security and I condemn any unfair evictions. I am proud Mr Speaker to be abolishing section 21, a practice that has pushed thousands of renters into homelessness. And I will make sure the Housing Minister looks at the case that she has raised Graham Stuart.

12:30

Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP (Beverley and Holderness, Conservative)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rural residents in Beverley and Holderness are reeling under the impact of higher fuel prices. Yet two days ago, the Chancellor said that in September, fuel duty would go up. So my constituents want to know, as the Leader of the Opposition repeatedly asked, is that fuel duty going to go up in September and add to the misery of my constituents or not? Prime Minister, for once in this place, give the House and the people of this country an answer, yes or no?

12:31

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Gill German is frozen. It'll be frozen until September in light, in light of what's happening in Iran. Of course, we'll look carefully at the situation, but his constituents need to know, and it's right that they know that it's frozen until September, not fair market.

12:31

Martin Rhodes MP (Glasgow North, Labour)

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Martin Rhodes. Mr. speaker, the devastating fire on Union Street in Glasgow has destroyed small businesses and an iconic part of the city's heritage. But the exceptional skill and courage of our emergency services prevented an even greater tragedy. We need a rapid, thorough investigation with urgent implementation of recommendations. Local businesses, commuters and residents are already feeling the impact and recovery must be a shared priority. Will the Prime Minister join me in thanking our emergency services and supporting efforts to rebuild this vital part of Glasgow?

12:32

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Prime Minister. devastating incident for Glasgow? My thoughts and I'm sure everybody's thoughts are with those who've seen their businesses and their livelihoods destroyed. Can I thank the emergency services who responded so quickly to the situation? And the people of Glasgow have seen far too many historic buildings suffer terrible fires over the last few years. And that's why we're investing to protect heritage buildings in England. But we'll keep a careful eye on the situation that he arises.

12:32

Stephen Gethins MP (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, Scottish National Party)

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Stephen Gethins Mr. speaker, Mr. speaker, yesterday in the Welsh speaker, yesterday in the Welsh Senate, a secret Whitehall memo was called out by its members that showed this government's attitude to devolution, a muscular unionism that Boris Johnson would have been proud of. So can I ask the Prime Minister when Scottish and Welsh voters go to the polls, will he respect that decision? And furthermore, what is it about those elections that so seems to terrify him at the moment? Prime Minister? Well, Mr.

12:33

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Speaker, I'm not going to make any apologies for spending more money in Scotland or in Wales to improve people's lives. There have been record investment under this government in Scotland. The question is, where's the money gone?

12:33

Jen Craft MP (Thurrock, Labour)

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John Jen Craft. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week, members from across this House and the Other place felt compelled to write to Jo Boydell, compelled to write to Jo Boydell, the chief executive of Travelodge, following reports that in 2022, a man was given a key card and the room number of a woman staying alone in one of their hotels by staff entered her room and sexually assaulted her. Most alarmingly, statements made by Travelodge implied that staff had acted fully in line with their security and safety protocols and within industry standards.

Will the Prime Minister join me in urging Miss Boydell to take us up on our invitation to meet with all interested members of this House and the other place to outline what action Travelodge are urgently taking to meet their duty to safeguard women staying in their hotel.

12:34

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Can I thank her for raising this absolutely shocking case and and for talking to me last night about the the details of it. My thoughts are with the victim who had a right to be safe and who has failed in the most appalling way. Travelodge must take serious action to ensure such an appalling incident can never happen again. I'm concerned at reports that they haven't met members of Parliament. They should do so. And I should add that the safeguarding Minister wants to meet them as well, and they should do that as well.

12:34

Vikki Slade MP (Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)

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The Vikki Slade. >> The Vikki Slade. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Two weeks ago it was confirmed that no extra time will be provided in the extra time will be provided in the other place to allow the assisted dying bill to complete its course. If this blocks the will of this democratically elected House, it will be a travesty for democracy and, more importantly, a tragedy for all those who are relying on it and have waited so long, not least my own dad.

Will he act now to prevent the dismissal of the views of 76% of the public, especially as other parts of our country approve it, and so secure a real legacy for social policy in this Parliament?

12:35

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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The Prime. >> Can I thank her for raising this? And I know there are strong views and I acknowledge her personal connection in relation to this, connection in relation to this, which shows how serious the issues are. It is a matter of conscience. It's for Parliament to decide the passage of the legislation. Any changes? Scrutiny is a matter for the Other place. We have a

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responsibility to make sure any legislation is workable, effective and enforceable. That completes.

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Prime Minister's question. PMQs. But you didn't ask a

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PMQs. But you didn't ask a question, so is it relevant? But the points of order should come the points of order should come after statements in UQs. But I'll Come Come to Come to the Come to the Urgent Come to the Urgent Question Come to the Urgent Question Ian

12:36

Ian Lavery MP (Blyth and Ashington, Labour)

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Lavery. Mr Speaker. What assessment Lavery. Mr Speaker. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of Royal Mail's failure to meet its universal service obligation on universal service obligation on service users well-being and on the company's recent decision making,

12:37

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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which has contributed to this situation? Sir? Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the hon. Speaker, and thank you to the hon. Member for raising a question which I know is on hon. Members minds across the House. The government has been clear. The Royal Mail Service has not been good enough, and we recognise the terrible impact that delayed time sensitive deliveries, particularly relating to medical and financial matters, have on users of postal services and especially for vulnerable users.

Obviously, Royal Mail is a private company and Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services. They secure the provision of the universal postal service and set and monitor Royal Mail's service standards. As part of that monitoring regime, Ofcom publishes annual post monitoring reports, which consider developments in the sector and users experience of postal services, as well as complaints and compensation data that Royal Mail is required to publish. I have regular discussions with senior officials from Ofcom as the regulator and in fact, Mr.

Speaker, I am meeting Ofcom later this afternoon to discuss these concerns. Ofcom fined Royal Mail £21 million in October for failure to meet standards for 2425, double the previous year's fine and a third consecutive annual fine for poor performance. Ofcom continues to monitor Royal Mail's performance carefully to ensure it is providing the service that customers expect. Ofcom has told Royal Mail that it must publish and deliver a credible plan that delivers significant and continuous improvement. But while Ofcom, the regulator, in response to concerns raised by hon.

Members across this House, I met Royal Mail CEO Alasdair Cochrane recently to set out the volume of complaints reporting service delays that I have received from colleagues and in addition to that meeting, the Secretary of State met Daniel Krzesinski, CEO of Royal Mail's parent company EP Group and chair of Royal Mail's board, and raised concerns about Royal Mail's performance. And senior officials from Ofcom met Mr. Krasinski that same day. The chief executives of Royal Mail and its parent company report that they agree that there is more to do to meet service delivery targets and improve stability and reliability for customers.

I know hon. Members will continue to raise their concerns on behalf of service within their area,

12:39

Ian Lavery MP (Blyth and Ashington, Labour)

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and for my part, I will continue to do so because the current situation do so because the current situation is simply not good enough. Ian Lavery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. thank my hon. Friend for his answer. But you know, this goes beyond a few inconsequential letters being delayed. Indeed, it's not simply a case of receiving post, it's also about a timely manner, but sending about a timely manner, but sending post as well. In my constituency of Blyth and Ashington.

These failures have led to people missing medical appointments, financial issues and hindering the democratic participation. One of my constituents missed urgent medical correspondence during a routine appointment into a potentially life threatening emergency. It's not acceptable. This is happening up and down the country, in every single constituency in this place. Allegations from within Royal Mail suggest that these failures may be intentional, designed to pressure the government into weakening or removing the US requirements. Royal Mail's recent letter to the Business and Trade Committee denies operating a parcels first policy, contradicting repeated internal testimonies.

It flies in the face of local evidence from the workforce. The letter also reiterates calls for US reform, reflecting a long running corporate direction. Over the past few years. Postal workers, who are key public servants who were heroes during Covid, they've seen their terms and conditions eroded to the point that some can no longer buy additional holidays, because doing so would take their pay below the minimum wage. The government need to take serious action against Royal Mail. It's an option, is it not? Sorry.

An option to possibly bring back Royal Mail under public control. Mr. speaker, this is approaching the situation where one of our constituencies, her constituents, will lose their homes, their health or even their lives through these persistent failures. The government can and must take steps to maintain this critical national service. Minister. Mr.

12:41

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The hon. Member's anger, I think, is shared by hon. Members around the chamber when they hear the stories of people missing, not just hospital appointments, but people finding themselves with ccjs and other situations that are entirely not of their fault due to failures of delivery. We have told Royal Mail it is not good enough and the Select Committee has told them it is not good enough. Ofcom have told them it is not good enough. I think the seriousness with which we take this is exemplified by the fact, as I said, the Secretary of State has convened that meeting.

I have called in Royal Mail and as I mentioned a moment ago, I am meeting Ofcom later today to raise exactly the issues that my hon. Friend raises. Dahieh Harriett Baldwin.

12:42

Dame Harriett Baldwin MP (West Worcestershire, Conservative)

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Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for granting this urgent question. And can I congratulate the hon. Member on achieving this urgent question, because we can see from the number of people who are interested in this topic just how serious this is across all our constituencies. And I can testify to the fact that in West Worcestershire, I have had an enormous amount of casework on this starting just before Christmas. But it's been hospital appointments missed.

It's been children's birthday cards not arriving. It's been condolence cards for recently widowed individuals, and it's been postal voting forms as well. So this is an absolutely critical issue. And I would reiterate that the universal service obligation is an obligation. It is an obligation bought Royal Mail with this government's approval in, I think, April 2025, the transaction went through the letter from Royal Mail that was received by the Business and Trade Committee yesterday revealed something like over 200 million letters have been delivered late this year, and I want to ask the Minister, in addition to the meetings that he has listed with Ofcom, what assessments he made as to how distressing this is being for all of our constituents, what impact does it having on people's wellbeing? Has he had a critical discussion with Ofcom because it appears that Ofcom is not really doing its job as a regulator.

The public are paying more, but they are getting less, and the fines that he has listed are really don't reflect the deterioration that we've seen recently. Now, in my discussions with Royal Mail, I've heard them say that parcels overwhelm them at Christmas, but this situation is carrying on now into March. Is it the reality that, in fact, parcels are much more.

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Order, order over time? I was trying to push her along to give me the answer, but there seems to be

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the answer, but there seems to be more pages coming no end. We can certainly now end by

12:45

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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>> We can certainly now end by asking for the Minister's plan in terms of Minister. >> I don't need that back. Come on. Thank you.

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Thank you. I think I hope she can tell from my my body language and tone that I my my body language and tone that I share the anger and frustration of, of of members across the House. As I mentioned, I am meeting Ofcom later today to raise the very issues that she makes. I will slightly take issue with the year zero approach that she took there. There are very long standing issues with Royal Mail, driven in fairness, by the changes in consumer habits and the things that we are sending and not sending any more.

She mentions the the new ownership as part of that deed of undertaking. This government got the assurance and the undertaking from the new owners that they could not take value out of the company until service improved. That shows that we take this seriously.

12:46

Lee Barron MP (Corby and East Northamptonshire, Labour)

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Lee Barron. refer members to my register of interest. It's not just the customers who are rightly angry, it's postal workers as well, because they take pride in their job. They take pride in the service that they give. Last time I was in Corby delivery office six deliveries never went out that day. The time before that, a postal worker volunteered to cover his own delivery on his day off. Was told he couldn't. When he went back in the day after the work was still there, the delivery hadn't gone out.

We've now got a two tier workforce leading to a recruitment and retention crisis, and it's a standing joke in the job that if the quickest way to get a letter delivered is to put it inside of a parcel, would the Minister agree with me that instead of imposing top down changes by people who have never done the job before, they should now listen to their workforce, sit down with the union and sort this mess out?

12:47

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Mr. >> Mr. >> Thank you. My hon. Friend gives me the opportunity to do what I have not done so far, which is to have not done so far, which is to say that whatever criticisms hon. Members across the House have, it is in no way a critique of the work of our heroic posties up and down, up and down the country. I mentioned earlier on, the Secretary of State brought together management and unions that we are a private company we're not seeking to insert ourselves into become mediators, but that was a signal of how seriously we take this and how seriously we take the need for them to come together and address, through mutual understanding, exactly the issues that my hon.

Friend raises. spokesperson.

12:47

Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)

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Mr. speaker, in each year since 2023, Royal Mail has been fined by Ofcom over delivery delays. It amounts to nearly £40 million and following recent announcements, it wouldn't surprise me if they find again in 2026, when Royal Mail were reprimanded in 2023 and 2024, their leadership promised that reforms have been made to improve their services. But following the £21 million fine in October 2025, the company said it couldn't publish its improvement plan until negotiations with the Communication Workers Union concluded the takeover of Royal Mail, which this government supported, seems to have done nothing to improve the service so far.

Over the past several years, an average of roughly 1 in 4 first class stamp letters arrives late and now. Recent reports suggest that 219 million letters may arrive late this year. These letters are sometimes urgent and hold important information, so it is clear that Royal Mail are repeatedly failing to meet their universal service obligation. But despite this, their stamp prices have consistently risen. This includes next month's planned rise of SNP in the cost of first class postage, taking the cost of a stamp to £1.80.

The sorry saga of Royal Mail has gone on for far too long, with the Minister tell me whether he believes the British public should be paying more for their postal service, despite Royal Mail repeatedly failing to deliver their letters on time.

12:49

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Paying more for postage is obviously part of the journey towards financial sustainability for Royal Mail as a critical piece of national infrastructure, but I absolutely agree with her that if if our constituents are paying more for their stamps, they expect those letters to arrive and it is not good enough if they aren't. She mentions Ofcom. As I said, I'm meeting with them later on. They have required from Royal Mail their improvement plan. We think that's that's long overdue.

And one of the issues that I will be raising with Ofcom later on is progress with that improvement plan.

12:49

Chris Webb MP (Blackpool South, Labour)

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Can I refer the House, my register of interests, as a. We know that they are working day in, day out to get these letters out, but we know they are being told to prioritise parcels. I tried to go into my mail centre just before Christmas, as many do. Mr. speaker, I know you do the same, but I was denied and excuse was given and it's never been rearranged. Work is in there. Came to me and said they are trying to hide how bad it is in that mail centre from you as the local MP.

So will the Minister outline to the House and to my constituents how we can turn this around? And I fundamentally disagree with the hon. Member saying that this started with these new owners. This started from privatisation end of. But how can we get this back on track and can the government look at nationalising this service so our residents can get the letters that they desperately need for their appointments? Well.

12:50

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Sister. >> Sister. >> So I'm troubled to hear that he has not been allowed access to talk has not been allowed access to talk to his local sorting office. I think all of us have a staple in our diaries to to go and visit the sorting office at Christmas or at other times of the year, and it's a really important part of the job as an MP. And I think he references something else, which is the anger that the postal themselves feel at this.

This is not just a job for them. They feel that this is a service and they, as much as anyone else, recognise that this is simply not good enough. On the issue of the prioritisation of parcels, Ofcom had examined this a few years ago and had found that there was no evidence of it as a policy centrally. But I have heard from so many members stories about the prioritisation of parcels, and so it is something I intend to raise with Ofcom later this afternoon.

12:51

Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (The Wrekin, Conservative)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did meet the Minister some weeks ago and I did suggest to him he might have to come back to the House if the Royal Mail had not improved their services. But can I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for granting this urgent question? Can I also thank you for granting the Westminster Hall debate next week on the 18th table by another member. Mr. speaker, you will know I raised this issue on the 13th of January as a point of order, and clearly the problem has got worse rather than better.

I would like to put on record my thanks to all the posts. I think the whole House would like to thank all the work that they do in all of our constituencies, and this has had a huge social and economic impact on individuals throughout our constituencies. But what concerns me to be fair, is the Minister has referred to can't intervene on a private company and is of course an independent regulator. So what can the Minister do? And if there's nothing he can do, perhaps he'll be coming back in a few weeks.

Time to repeat. There's nothing he can do. But how does that help people that are waiting for medical results and other important information?

12:52

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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It's a very fair question in terms of our action. As I mentioned, the Secretary of State brought together the ownership and the management to stress the need to get an agreement to get the reforms and to get the service standards improved. These things are all connected. I myself have obviously stressed, in no uncertain terms, my own dissatisfaction with current levels of service on NHS letters. Myself and colleagues in the Department for health are pressing to make sure that more NHS bodies take advantage of the barcode system, to make sure that those letters are prioritised.

So it is a private company, but we are exercising the pressure that we can to ensure that standards are improved. improved.

12:53

Melanie Onn MP (Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Labour)

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Melanie Onn speaker. My understanding is that letters must not be treated less favourably than parcels, but that absolutely is the case at the moment, with internal Royal Mail targets. And that is the case at my Fotherby Street sorting office in Grimsby. The tract at first policy is in place. That means that parcels do take priority letters and non tract mail is is then not prioritised. So first and second class cards, letters etc. they are left sitting in frames for days and weeks.

That builds up as we've heard from other members today. There is also an issue about route revisions becoming issues for our posties, some of whom are regularly walking 30 to 40,000 steps a day that is causing exhaustion, injury and illness. Now, my question is, it is not acceptable in any way for the government to say it cannot do anything. What is the government going to do to force Ofcom to take action that will really get things moving and change this policy? That leaves people's letters sat in their frames for days.

12:55

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Minister this frustration that my hon. Friend voices about the the disconnect from what she is hearing disconnect from what she is hearing from local sorting offices compared to what is stated as a company policy, and it was one that is shared across the house. As I say on that issue of the prioritisation of parcels is something I am going to raise with Ofcom later today on those wider issues of working conditions for the Posties. As I said, the Secretary of State has brought together the owners and the company to stress our view in terms of the importance of progressing those issues and getting to a situation where quality of service improves and where the the workforce feel properly rewarded and respected.

and respected.

12:55

Simon Hoare MP (North Dorset, Conservative)

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Simon Hoare Mr Speaker. The postal delivery landscape is a fast moving one, as the Minister will recognise. And I suppose, as evidenced by the fact that in Denmark very recently they have ended entirely their postal service. Everybody now has to just use a private courier. What, wait, does he put on the words of Royal Mail that they recognised the problems and are working hard? Does he take that in good faith? And a critique from Royal Mail, who clearly recognise that there are problems, is that sometimes the slow speed of response from Ofcom to suggestions from Royal Mail, which are disjointed from the fact that this is a very fast moving landscape in a very competitive sphere.

So when he meets Ofcom this afternoon, could he urge them to speedily respond, to try to progress issues as they manifest themselves?

12:56

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Minister I thank him for that helpful and practical suggestion. I will certainly add it to the agenda of the meeting later on, and report back to him on the outcomes of those discussions.

12:56

Liz Twist MP (Blaydon and Consett, Labour)

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Liz Twist thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Blyth and Ashington for raising this UQ, because, as he will know, it's an experience that too many constituents are suffering from now. I started when this first happened, corresponding with Royal Mail and asking why this was happening, and got polite replies. But frankly, at this stage Minister fine words butter, no parsnips. We really need to see some action. So can I urge the Minister to push Ofcom to take action on this issue?

12:57

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Mid Leicestershire I thank my hon. Friend for that and as ever, she's a doughty campaigner for everyone in the communities she represents. I will certainly be pressing Ofcom on these issues and will continue to press Royal Mail directly as well, to stress that we want to see an improvement in standards and that current standards of delivery are simply not good enough. Helen Morgan.

12:57

Helen Morgan MP (North Shropshire, Liberal Democrat)

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Mr Speaker and Murrell parts of the country like North Shropshire, where broadband, mobile signal and public transport is very poor. People are really dependent on their postal service. Where I live, people have contacted me to say that they have missed court documents, NHS letters, really important things for them to be able to get on with their lives. I visited the sorting office as well as the prioritisation of parcels, which I've been told about about by posters. The rounds are too long.

The conditions that the postal workers work under are not good enough, and so there's a real recruitment and retention issue. What can Ofcom do to ensure that Royal Mail is putting the resources in place to make sure that letters can be delivered on time in rural Minister.

12:58

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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So as I as I mentioned a moment ago, I think unfortunately the story she tells are familiar to me because I've heard it from so many hon. Members around this chamber in terms of what can we do? As I say, we are, we've been bringing together workforce management to make sure that the talks on reforms, to get the business into sustainable footing and to ensure that quality of service improves, we will be bringing that together, and I will be raising those issues

12:58

Navendu Mishra MP (Stockport, Labour)

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around the privatisation of parcels with Ofcom later this afternoon. Navendu Mishra thank you, Mr. Navendu Mishra thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I refer the House to my register of interests? Can I also thank all postal workers in Stockport and across the UK? I Stockport and across the UK? I think it's important to highlight that it was a coalition. Partners, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, who privatised Royal Mail. Mr. speaker, I ran a survey online regarding services by Royal Mail in regarding services by Royal Mail in my constituency, and 89% of respondents said that they were unhappy, angry or disappointed by the by the service in Stockport.

One of the examples was that mail wasn't delivered for almost two weeks, and then all of it was delivered on the same day, meaning that important appointments and information was missed. Can I please press the Minister? Mr. speaker, in terms of what is he specifically going to do to improve services in Stockport and Greater Manchester, which is approximately 3 million people?

12:59

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Bill Esterson well join him in paying tribute to post Stockport, Greater Manchester, Posties all across the country they go the extra mile in incredibly difficult circumstances. As I mentioned earlier on, we are bringing together unions and management to make sure that we get to a resolution on those talks and progress at the future of the business and also pressing Ofcom in terms of the enforcement action that they can take to progress the improvement plan, which Royal Mail Tugendhat.

13:00

Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP (Tonbridge, Conservative)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just recently, Royal Mail in Tonbridge introduced a new working model which has been, quite frankly, an abject failure. I very much welcome the hon. Member bringing this urgent question, because this is quite clearly not just a matter for one constituency or one community, but for the whole country. I'm very grateful that the Minister, who I know is assiduous in his role, will take this up. But will he particularly raise with the management that while we all recognise that this is not just about privatisation or ownership, it is about the change in the way people use the post and the way we use emails and so on.

It does actually have a very real effect on people's lives, and particularly in communities like mine in Tonbridge. I am not the only one who has missed appointments because the letter arrived weeks, even months after the appointment I was supposed to attend Minister.

13:01

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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So I know from my own discussion with officials on this that he's been in discussions with the particular issues Tonbridge and that Royal Mail are seized of those. He is absolutely right. Members have raised hospital appointments and other things. I think it is also worth saying that the very important posts that we as hon. Members, send to often very vulnerable constituents is also important, and it is a reminder of how this is such a central part of our national life and our economy, and we have to see it improve.

13:01

Natasha Irons MP (Croydon East, Labour)

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Natasha Irons thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I thank the Member for securing this urgent question in my constituency of Croydon East. We've had a massive uptick in complaints around letters being delivered late, but things like people paying for time, paying for priority services and that not happening, but also constituents being advised to collect post from delivery officers without prior notification of an attempted delivery, essentially becoming their own. Royal mail now having to meet, having met with workers locally over Christmas.

I know that they are working incredibly hard to keep on top of this, and are just as frustrated as as my residents. So. And when we raised my, my biggest concern is when we as members have raised this with Royal Mail, their response to us has been, quite frankly, rude and dismissive and a bit lacklustre. So can the Minister please outline what he will do to take action to ensure these postal services are protected? In my community and for communities across this country?

13:02

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Minister. Croydon for the efforts that they are making. They do an extraordinary job. I think she hits the nail on the head that we sometimes might have lower standards for other delivery operators in the economy, but we expect a certain level of service from Royal Mail. And when people are paying more through stamps or they're paying for special delivery, they absolutely should expect to get what they are paying for. As I said, these are issues that I am raising directly with Royal Mail that we are bringing together the workforce and the management, and I am meeting Ofcom later on today.

13:03

Jess Brown-Fuller MP (Chichester, Liberal Democrat)

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Jess Brown-Fuller. established well today, who are doing all they can to deliver a service. But it lies with the private company that is putting telling their staff to prioritise parcels and then pretending that that's not their policy. Constituents in my area of Chichester have received hospital appointments. Four days after the appointment was due to take place, one constituent in Selsey received their letter for a specialist appointment in London an hour before that appointment was due to take place.

So what can the Minister do to put pressure on Royal Mail so that my constituents health is not put at risk with their failures?

13:03

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Mr. >> Well, our constituents in Chichester deserve better, frankly, and that is why it is so important and that is why it is so important that we send a clear message to the government that we expect that improvement. So why I am having those conversations with Ofcom. It is also why when the new ownership took over Royal Mail, we received that undertaking that they would not be able to take value out of the company until they improved, to try to ensure that there is an incentive for them to do better.

13:04

Ian Byrne MP (Liverpool West Derby, Labour)

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Ian Byrne thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Communications Workers Union report on chaos and demoralisation amongst its members as a result of the imposition of pay and conditions for Posties and the company's decision to prioritise potential job cuts over service. When it comes to US reform. Can the Minister outline what the government is doing to ensure the Royal Mail customers and workers are not made to pay the price of the mismanagement of our postal services, including utilising any powers allocated to the Golden Share.

13:04

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Yeah, Minister. part of that deed of undertaking was that we would not allow them to remove value from the company until service improved. In terms of those negotiations and the impact on on the workforce. Obviously, these are negotiations between the workforce and management, but I think the fact that the Secretary of State has been convening these meetings shows that we take this very seriously, and it is a priority for our department.

13:05

Aphra Brandreth MP (Chester South and Eddisbury, Conservative)

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Aphra Brandreth Mr. many of my constituents across Chester South and Eddisbury have been in touch about the poor levels of mail service. One constituent in Kelsall actually reached out to Royal Mail themselves after experiencing deliveries once per week at best, only to receive a reply from Royal Mail stating that service levels in our area are good. Yet that same constituent later received a hospital appointment letter after the hospital appointment itself, which is certainly not good.

So does the Minister share my concern that Royal Mail appears to be dismissing legitimate complaints while failing to meet their universal service obligation? And what more can be done to hold Royal Mail to account?

13:06

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Thank you. Well, she's previously pressed me on another aspect of postal services. The availability of post offices in her constituency, and she continues to campaign for her constituents. I can say I, I share the frustration in any situation as a member of Parliament where you raise a concern and you are told that everything is actually fine and not to worry about it. And it's precisely because I share that concern that I am having that meeting with Ofcom later on today.

13:06

Bill Esterson MP (Sefton Central, Labour)

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Bill Esterson Mr Speaker. Well, the Royal Mail excuses are wearing very, very thin, aren't they? I have constituents who are going to the sorting offices and being presented with piles of letters weeks worth, and I have other constituents who, when their letters are being delivered, they're getting those same piles delivered in one go. So the Minister talked about Ofcom. I think he said he's meeting them today. Can I ask him then does he think the regulator needs additional powers? Because it's very clear from his answers so far.

And the fact we're still here today, after months of this going on, that something isn't working. So can I encourage him to consider whether the regulator needs more and what he can do as a result of that? Mr.

13:07

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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I'll certainly talk to the regulator later today in those terms and ask that question. As I say, I think the the this is a business that is regulated through Ofcom. But where government has power, we are taking it, as I mentioned a moment ago, for example, within that deed of undertaking that the company has made our insistence that they cannot strip money out of the company until service improves.

13:07

Brendan O'Hara MP (Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, Scottish National Party)

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Brendan O'Hara. it's the failure of Royal Mail to meet its USO or the skyrocketing price of heating oil, it seems that rural communities such as Argyll Bute and South Constituency are most impacted. We are all agreed that despite the often heroic efforts by the workforce to service provided by Royal Mail management is totally unacceptable. The Minister knows that we are 60 days from a Scottish parliamentary election in which 1 million people will vote by post. How confident is he that Royal Mail will be able to cope? And what measures is he putting in place to ensure that they do?

13:08

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Well, Mr. Speaker, with >> Well, Mr. Speaker, with relatives in the most remote parts of Scotland myself, I know that for the rest of us this might be an the rest of us this might be an inconvenience. For rural customers in particular, it can be the stripping away of a lifeline. We have sought reassurances from Royal Mail that the current issues with service across the country will not impact on postal voting. In the elections that are coming up, and I know that the chief executive of Royal Mail has a specific meeting in Scotland to discuss preparations and in the days ahead.

13:09

Lola McEvoy MP (Darlington, Labour)

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Lola McEvoy thank you, Mr. >> Lola McEvoy thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to put on record that despite testimony to the contrary, it is Darlington postal workers who are in fact the best in the country, and they deliver their service to the best of their abilities. But they also provide a social service, reaching residents where they often only visit the only visit that resident gets. I want to draw the minister's attention to two cases that have been brought to me from constituents, which have been quite shocking.

One is, despite using the tracking system application forms for constituents to join the Royal Navy have gone awry, and that's obviously causing huge delays. And the second one is that one of my constituents successfully gained compensation from Royal Mail for a late delivery. But the check which was sent in the post bounced. So I would like I'd like the Minister to allay some of the fears that we've got around the crucial public services and the communication via post, going out from our departments and arm's length bodies.

13:10

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Thank you. I think that's a very late delivery just to help late delivery just to help everybody. I'm going to finish at half past. So let's help each other by being speedy. And the Minister is going to show me how he can

**** Possible New Speaker ****

is going to show me how he can reply quickly. I am she makes a really important point, although I noticed that everything seems to be the best in her constituency. It's not just missed post, it's missed opportunities like the one that she describes. And that's exactly why we're going to continue to pressurise directly and through the regulator to improve the service in areas like hers.

13:10

Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Voters >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Voters in my constituency have reported to me that one of the most serious me that one of the most serious problems is staff absence, because they've been overworked and therefore they go off sick and those deliveries do not take place. And the final straw for my constituents was when one of my constituents received a Christmas card on the 28th of February that had been franked before Christmas. So clearly, there's a serious problem here, not just in rural areas, but in suburban areas as well.

So could I ask the Minister seek an urgent action plan on getting this right from Royal Mail? Because otherwise we're going to be back here another months time with the same problem.

13:11

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Mr. >> Mr. >> He he could be mistaken for being a trade union official there. I get you'll be cross the floor, but I mean, he makes he makes a really important and serious point, which is that those issues of staff conditions is are directly related to the efforts around quality of service, which is exactly why the Secretary of State has been convening these meetings to progress those talks.

13:11

Helen Hayes. failings for years, particularly in the SE 22 and 24 postcode areas. Residents in SE 24 recently had no mail for four weeks. A key problem in holding Royal Mail to account is that they are only required to report on their performance data on the first part of the postcode. This means that failures in individual delivery offices are disguised by subregional data. Will the Minister raise this issue with Ofcom and ask them to look again at the reporting requirements on Royal

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Mail so that they can be held properly to account? Minister. As a former resident of 23, I'll

13:12

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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>> As a former resident of 23, I'll pay tribute to the posties in your part of the world and I'll certainly add the suggestion she

13:12

certainly add the suggestion she makes to the agenda of the meeting later today. Speaker. >> Does the Minister recognise that

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Does the Minister recognise that meeting? The universal service obligation is a challenge because of poor recruitment and retention, and that this is no surprise when Royal Mail offers new posts, men and women little more than minimum wage and sites are really not fit for purpose.

13:12

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Yeah. >> So he raises a really important point that's core to the talks that are going on right now between are going on right now between unions and management. And it is exactly why we are so keen to make sure that those are productive and come to a settlement that deals with the issues that he describes. Speaker. Speaker.

13:13

Phil Brickell MP (Bolton West, Labour)

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Can I thank the Minister for his constructive engagement with me over the past few weeks around Royal Mail's poor services in my Bolton West constituency. I know he shares my utter frustration at the current service provision. I just want to flag with the Minister himself a letter I sent to a constituent on the 13th of February, updating constituents about the progress I've made with him on this matter. A constituent got in touch with me to say that letter itself was only received on the 25th of February.

12 days later, alongside missing correspondence from the DVLA, the NHS and the Department for Work and Pensions, and another constituent constituent in Bolton received a Christmas card posted before the 14th of December that

**** Possible New Speaker ****

came through on the 7th of March. When will my constituents see an improvement in Royal Mail's? Can we try and shorten them?

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Can we try and shorten them? Because some people's not going to get in. And that's what's really worrying me, because I know it

13:14

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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worrying me, because I know it matters to all of us, especially like myself, who's got the best post office and best boss? >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will reassure his constituents that his efforts to transmit the dissatisfaction has been heard at the highest level. If there was a prize for dark irony, I think he's probably just won it. It's because we want to see this improve as quickly as possible that we are taking the action that I have described, and it's why we will Thomas.

13:14

Bradley Thomas MP (Bromsgrove, Conservative)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. posties across Bromsgrove, but not to the management of Royal Mail. What my constituents need to see is action, not more platitudes. When Royal Mail respond to me saying they're very sorry that letters haven't been received. So can I implore on the Minister, please get together with the management of Royal Mail and Ofcom, deliver an action plan that's accountable to himself and us via the Minister, to see an improved service for all of our constituents.

13:14

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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I reassure them that exactly the type of frustration that he has just described, which I have heard from so many hon. Members, is what I have already communicated to Royal Mail and I will do to Ofcom later as well.

13:15

Brian Leishman MP (Alloa and Grangemouth, Labour)

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Brian Leishman. workers from across Alloa and Grangemouth. I know morale is rock bottom because years of savage cuts and restructuring that has negatively impacted their ability to do their job. Does the government accept that the erosion of both the service and workforce morale is due to privatisation and an essential public service like Royal Mail should be under public ownership for the public good? And if I may, Mr. Speaker, when will the government effectively hold bodies like Ofcom to account because their inaction and impotence is costing our constituents dearly?

13:15

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Well, he is absolutely right to >> Well, he is absolutely right to point out that this is the result of very long standing and structural issues within Royal Mail structural issues within Royal Mail and postal services more generally. My focus later today with Ofcom is to ensure that they are pressed to deal with exactly the issues that Slade.

13:16

Vikki Slade MP (Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I align myself with all of everybody's stories, but in one area of Sturminster Marshall, they received two deliveries across the whole of January, and then the Royal Mail tried to blame the flooding that happened at the beginning of February for why their letters weren't delivered. So I don't trust anything they're saying, but I'm concerned about my Posties literally brought to tears on the doorstep, being told they can't have any overtime when their advertising posts and they can't complete their rounds.

They have explained to me that they are being expected to manage their decline. So what is the Minister doing to stand up for these frontline communities?

13:16

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, she's right to pay tribute to her local posties. It's because we recognise that connection between the sustainability of Royal Mail and the Postal Service, and the conditions of workers, and the importance of the talks that are going on, that Secretary of State has been convening the meetings he is convening and will continue to do so.

13:17

Bracknell. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Speaker. This situation is completely intolerable, as everybody's described. But will the Minister confirm that if the owners continue to fail to discharge their obligations as a matter of urgency, the option of taking Royal Mail back into public ownership will be fully considered because it's popular with the public. Minister.

13:17

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Well, our focus at the moment is >> Well, our focus at the moment is on ensuring that the talks that are underway are productive and end underway are productive and end with measures that will get the delivery service improved and the business onto a sustainable footing. As I mentioned a moment ago, we do have that undertaking that the owners are not allowed to take value out of the company until those service standards improve.

13:17

Martin Vickers MP (Brigg and Immingham, Conservative)

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Martin Vickers thank. >> Mr. Speaker. >> My constituents who lodged a complaint with the the local Royal complaint with the the local Royal Mail, are receiving messages which says we're sorry to advise that deliveries in parts of the 31 to 37 postcodes are being disrupted due to resourcing issues at Grimsby Delivery Office. Can the Minister give an assurance that if he's not already done so, he is urged Royal Mail to deal with these staffing resources because it's in the short term, it's an acceptable reason,

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but not in the long term. Yeah. Whenever hon. Members raise

13:18

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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>> Whenever hon. Members raise local delivery issues with me, I do raise it through officials directly with Royal Mail. I will certainly

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with Royal Mail. I will certainly do so in his area because his constituents deserve a better service. Lizzi Collinge thank you, Mr.

13:18

Lizzi Collinge MP (Morecambe and Lunesdale, Labour)

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>> Lizzi Collinge thank you, Mr. Speaker. People across Morecambe and Lunesdale are suffering from late Royal Mail deliveries and in fact, one constituent was told by a frustrated, overworked postie that second class letters were being delivered once a week at most. So can I ask the Minister what steps he's taking to address this problem?

13:18

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Minister well, the service our constituents are getting clearly constituents are getting clearly isn't good enough. We have met with Royal Mail to say that the situation is not good enough. We are bringing together workforce and management to progress the talks, which will enable us to improve those standards. And as I say, I'll be meeting Ofcom later on today to express her concerns.

13:19

Carla Lockhart MP (Upper Bann, Democratic Unionist Party)

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Lock up. Royal Mail's senior leadership. It's certainly not of our local posties and Upper Bann. They are indeed excellent. And also to my liaison officer and Royal Mail, who has gone above and beyond to get information flowing. Staff are at breaking point. Absences and gaps. We have ten vacancies in Banbridge depot. Letter delayed. You know the score. The big issue is hospital letters. Can you liaise with the trust in Northern Ireland sir?

13:19

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Yes, and I will raise the issues >> Yes, and I will raise the issues with Banbury sorting offices directly with Royal Mail. And in addition to the work I'm doing with the Department for health, I will make sure that we are having that conversation with health bodies in Northern Ireland.

13:19

Gareth Snell MP (Stoke-on-Trent Central, Labour )

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Now. Security and Investment Act to extract a golden share because it considered Royal Mail to be national critical infrastructure, I do find it slightly odd that we then, having recognised the importance, think there's nothing we could do. So would the Minister commit to consider taking powers that he might need to do direct intervention to make sure that our constituents, including mine in Stoke-on-Trent Central, get the letters on time when they want them?

13:20

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Well, he's right to speak on behalf of his constituents and demand better service in terms of what we can do. As I say, we are working through the regulator to make sure that services improve and are meeting them later today, but also intervening to bring together workforce and management to make sure that the talks, which are crucial for making those improvements progress. Speaker.

13:20

Ben Obese-Jecty MP (Huntingdon, Conservative)

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I would like to concur with members across the House that this does not look, the fault here does not lie with our individual posties. I'd like to pay tribute to to Dean and Aaron, who have been fantastic as my posties in Brampton in my constituency, but I've been written to by Royal Mail employees in my constituency about the the new contract and the pressure that puts on. With 50% of new postal workers leaving within their first year. Could the Minister guarantee that he'll speak to Ofcom about equalising those pay and conditions, to make sure that we don't see as many staff leaving?

13:21

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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So the question of equalising, paying attention be a matter for those talks, which is why we are, through the Secretary of State, bringing together the owner and the trade unions to have those discussions. I would also pay tribute to Dean and Aaron, who can now say that they've had their names mentioned at the Dispatch Box Lorraine Beavers.

13:21

Lorraine Beavers MP (Blackpool North and Fleetwood, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am a proud CW yu member. Pulses in my constituencies are clear that the problems at Royal Mail are the previous board's financial mismanagement, along with lower wages and longer hours and poorer conditions. The Conservatives and the Lib Dems were warned that this would happen, but they privatised it anyway. Will the government commit to ensuring that the new owners stick to the agreement with the CWU and government, meet the universal service obligations and ensure that my constituents get the service they deserve?

13:22

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Well, she's right. Her >> Well, she's right. Her constituents absolutely deserve better and she is right to highlight the long standing issues highlight the long standing issues which we are now trying to deal with. And absolutely, Royal Mail should meet all of the obligations that they have entered into.

13:22

Claire Young MP (Thornbury and Yate, Liberal Democrat)

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Claire Young thank. have written to me about Royal Mail failures, failures that I have raised with Ofcom. Ofcom tell me they cannot investigate local complaints and Royal Mail won't act on them. So will the Minister commit to reviewing Ofcom's powers to hold Royal Mail to account at a local level?

13:22

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Minister. the question of Ofcom in terms of their assessment of the powers that they have within this space, and I will keep our updated on that.

13:23

Lauren Edwards MP (Rochester and Strood, Labour)

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But Mr Speaker. >> Before I became a member of Parliament, I worked for the Communication Workers Union at the time of Royal Mail privatisation, and I am sad to say that much of and I am sad to say that much of what we feared would happen has come true. Now, residents in my constituency in green reported receiving no first or second class mail for weeks, like other members have reported. But the incident I'd like to highlight is one where Network Rail had to hand-deliver letters to residents to ensure that they were aware of the impending closure of a critical rail crossing because Royal Mail service could not be relied upon.

So, does the right hon. Friend agree with me that the service to my constituents is completely unacceptable, and that Royal Mail needs to focus on addressing their significant recruitment and retention challenges, which have been made worse by the introduction of a two tier workforce in 2020.

13:23

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Well, the example she gives with Network Rail is a reminder, as my hon. Friend just said a second ago that this is critical national infrastructure that we rely on in in moments like that. The the issues that she discusses in terms of the terms and conditions is exactly why we have made it a priority. And the Secretary of State is bringing together management and workforce to discuss these issues.

13:24

Rt Hon David Mundell MP (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Conservative)

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David Mundell thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had the opportunity to meet with with senior management of the Post Office. Sorry, of Royal Mail yesterday after constituents in the Clydesdale area of my constituency, Simon Hoare Thankerton, had not received any mail at all for over ten days. But I particularly want to return to the issue of postal voting in the Scottish and other elections. I do not think reassurances from Royal Mail are enough. I think the Minister and others need to see a plan, so that we know that postal votes will be delivered, collected and taken to the electoral authorities.

And I want him to reassure us that he will get such a plan.

13:24

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Well, we'll continue to to seek those reassurances and to look for those reassurances and the plan behind them. As I mentioned, with regards to the Scottish elections, there is a specific meeting between the management and CEO of Royal Mail and the election authorities in Scotland coming up to discuss exactly the concerns that he has raised.

13:25

Alan Strickland MP (Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, Labour)

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Alan Strickland. >> Alan Strickland. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I met a resident of my surgery at the weekend with a long term health weekend with a long term health condition who is being sent testing packs by the NHS, arriving late, appointment letters being delayed. This is having a huge impact on her health. When the Minister meets Ofcom later, will he raise these very serious impacts not just on our residents but on our National Health Service? Of the unacceptable delays in Rommel.

13:25

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Minister. concerns with Ofcom. He raises not just a problem in terms of important medical post getting through, but it is also an opportunity when you have something like Royal Mail, which is a part of the critical national infrastructure which can reach every part of the country, their ability to deliver those things is a business opportunity for them as well, and they need to get it right.

13:25

Andrew George MP (St Ives, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was my privilege on Monday to visit the the Helstone sorting office, where I discovered staff there burdened with remote, counterproductive micromanagement of their of their work and inadequate plans to to deal with the inevitability of staff absences. But I was also distressed to hear them described that they had been abused and threatened when undertaking their work in the front line. Does the Minister agree with me that frontline workers should be praised and also have management systems which empower them to resolve matters locally?

13:26

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Well, I think he can tell from the comments around the House how much respect and affection there is for posts around the country. I am disturbed by what he describes there. Ultimately, the only sustainable future for Royal Mail will be from bringing together a workforce who are really passionate about what they do, with a management who are seeking to get the company into financially sustainable position. That is why we are prioritising the talks that are going on at the moment.

Speaker.

13:26

Alex McIntyre MP (Gloucester, Labour)

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Gloucester residents have been let down by Royal Mail for years. They're prioritising parcels over posts and profits over our posts. I've got a visit to Gloucester North delivery office on Friday, and I was shocked to find out from the front lines that they're offering overtime to clear the backlog before I get in there to visit them. Ofcom have proven to be utterly toothless in this. They are not regulating properly and Royal Mail are baking those fines into their business plans.

So what more can we do to give Ofcom the bite that they need to improve service for Gloucester residents?

13:27

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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NIC Minister. constant campaigner and constantly in my ear on these issues on behalf of his constituents. As I said later on today, I am talking to Ofcom about their role in this and I will keep my hon. Friend updated on it.

13:27

Luke Taylor MP (Sutton and Cheam, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> Residents across my. >> Constituency of Sutton and Cheam, particularly the Smn1, Smn2 and Sm3 postcodes, have been reporting issues with their deliveries for years. Local social media is full of people reporting one day a week deliveries, asking which other roads this is occurring on. I visited my delivery office for the last two Christmases. Meeting hard working posters have just been let down by the system. I'd like to particularly shout out to Timmy, who's been delivering my road for decades and is approaching retirement, so congratulations to him.

Can the Minister please add Sutton to the list of his agenda this afternoon, and also report back next Wednesday to the Westminster Hall debate, which I imagine he'll be coming to with clear actions from his meeting this afternoon.

13:28

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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I'll also pay tribute to Timmy and thank him for his years of service. It is exactly because it is a service full of people like him who are passionate about their job, that we need to ensure that Royal Mail has a reforms and improvements in quality of service. Chairman.

13:28

Josh Newbury MP (Cannock Chase, Labour)

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Graham told me that his wife jury service letter arrived too late for her to defer calling for Britain. Had a hospital letter arrived three days after the appointment and Michael from Rugeley, waited weeks for a new debit card. These were first class letters, so planned reforms to the universal service obligation wouldn't have made much of a difference. Will the Minister impress on the leadership of Royal Mail the human impact of these delays on posts and residents?

13:29

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Minister. Royal Mail standards impact on so many different aspects of his constituents lives. I will certainly use those examples when I next meet with Royal Mail.

13:29

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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Jim Shannon briefly. appointment, you go to the back of the queue. You start again. You might wait another two years. So whenever the Minister has his meeting with Royal Mail today, can I ask him to convey to Royal Mail to have meetings with them in the health trust and the patient groups as well, and the Northern Ireland represent to ensure that those who miss appointments due to delays in their Royal Mail will not be disadvantaged because, quite clearly they are at this moment.

13:29

Blair McDougall MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

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Well, he makes a really important point. As I mentioned a moment ago, we are working with the health department here to make sure

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