Commons Chamber

Wednesday 29th April 2026

(began 1 month, 2 weeks ago)

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11:34
None Portrait Q1. What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of support available to survivors of sexual assault on the Isle of Wight. (908910)
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Can Can I Can I just Can I just say Can I just say for Can I just say for the Can I just say for the Trainbearer, who's 40 today? You know, I just want to wish him well. Gary Barlow
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11:34
None Portrait Q1. What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of support available to survivors of sexual assault on the Isle of Wight. (908910)
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provides the hon. Member's local area with core grant funding to support victims of all crime types, including sexual assault and in addition, we provide ring fenced funding for domestic and sexual abuse services.
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Kemi Badenoch Portrait Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
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We come to the Leader of the Opposition. Kemi Badenoch. Opposition. Kemi Badenoch. >> Thank you. >> It's the end of the session and what a contrast with the beginning, what a contrast with the beginning, Mr. Speaker, back in July 2024, those benches were full of those benches were full of sycophantic questions from adoring new MPs. Yesterday, the Prime Minister was reduced to begging

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those same MPs to save his own skin. Yes. Mr. Speaker, he's broken his

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Mr. Speaker, he's broken his promise to grow the economy. The only thing that's grown is the welfare bill. The only thing that's welfare bill. The only thing that's grown is the welfare bill. So can the Prime Minister tell us, can the Prime Minister tell us how many more people are out of work and claiming Universal Credit since he

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took office. Prime Minister? Mr. speaker, she talks about what we've done in Tessa Munt to raising people out of work. We have the Youth Guarantee that we put in place for young people. We've raised the national minimum wage thanks to our Chancellor, we've helped young people into work by cutting NHS waiting lists. Thanks to the work of the Health Secretary, we put more police on the streets we put more police on the streets thanks to the work of the Home Secretary, and we cut energy bills for young people thanks to the work of the energy.

I am very proud of of the energy. I am very proud of what this Labour government has delivered in the first session of this Parliament. this Parliament.
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John McDonnell Portrait Rt Hon John McDonnell MP (Hayes and Harlington, Labour)
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OK, OK. >> OK, OK. >> Point of order, John MacDonald. >> Mr. speaker, as you know, as secretary of the parliamentary secretary of the parliamentary group I raised earlier this week a point of order concerning the US agency Apco's role in undertaking agency Apco's role in undertaking the investigation of journalists for Labour Together, which resulted in the smearing of those journalists. I explained that as a result of concern of the about the reach of Apco's investigation, a number of hon. Members have submitted subject interest requests to the company and to Labour.

Together. There's been a delay in the response from Labour Together to these requests, but Apco has confirmed in a very redacted form that information on MPs was being collected and I referred this week to information from a whistleblower, a freelancer involved in the Labour Together inquiry, indicating that Apco had instructed this person to destroy files for material related to the inquiry. Only hours ago on the Financial Times online, we have confirmed that tapes do exist that include conversations by Apco's head of media relations for Europe, Tom Harper, discussing the deletion of an email account and if and saying, and I quote, whether they will be able to see that through digital forensics or something like that.

References. With regard to this inquiry, he also refers to processes to muddy the waters in the audit trail. There is also now I can report if I can, Mr. Speaker, I'm sorry for the delay. I can also report that evidence was submitted to the inquiry by Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister's ethics adviser by Paul Holden, one of the journalists who are victims of smears. But the evidence was not supplied by the Cabinet Office, to the Secretary, to the inquiry to Laurie Magnus, on behalf of the NUJ parliamentary group, I want to express our concern, but also it is important.

It is important from the NUJ parliamentary group, we are concerned about the smearing of journalists, but we also need to know what, if any, surveillance of honorary members was taking place and for what purposes, and we call again for an independent inquiry into Apco's role and Labour together's role in this issue.
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Alan Mak Portrait Alan Mak MP (Havant, Conservative)
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I beg to move that leave be given to bring move that leave be given to bring in a bill to make provision about the delivery of in-person banking services, to require the Financial services, to require the Financial Conduct Authority to set standards for the provision of in-person banking services and for connected purposes. Mr. speaker, in places like Hayling Island and Emsworth, in my constituency, if individuals cannot bank online or travel to the next town, they cannot bank at all across the country.

This is not an isolated problem. This is actually the reality for millions of people. There are now nearly 50 constituencies represented on both sides of the House without a single bank branch left, and over 90 more are down to their final branch. Since 2015, more than 6600 bank branches have closed around two thirds of the network we once had in person. Face to face banking services have, in many places simply disappeared. And while online banking works for many, it does not work for everyone, with the latest FCA figures confirming over 3 million people in the UK don't use online banking.

Mr. speaker, when it comes to older people in particular, age, UK report that nearly four in 10/65 who have a bank account don't manage their money online and three quarters still want to carry out at least some banking in person, which the consumer rights organisation also makes an important point. When branches close, people don't just lose a building, they lose access to help when things go wrong. For older people, people with disabilities, small businesses handling cash, and for people in rural, suburban and coastal communities.

This is not about convenience. It's about independence. It's about practicality, and it's about dignity and fairness. Mr. speaker, whilst I've so far outlined some of the challenges, I should also state that significant progress has also been made on this issue. It was the last conservative government that took action through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. We protected access to cash and supported the rollout of banking hubs across the country. Today, these banking hubs are a conservative success story, with UK finance, the trade body reporting that nearly 9 in 10 customers would recommend using a hub.

I want to recognise also the vital role that banks themselves have played in this transition. Many have worked together to support and fund the rollout of banking hubs, and they continue to provide services and communities where branches have closed, for example through mobile banks and pop ups. I also want to pay tribute to the Post Office network and their staff, who play a vital role in providing access to cash and basic banking services in communities across the country, represented by members across this House.

So, Mr. Speaker, the introduction of banking hubs was the right approach. It was necessary, and it's already making the right difference. But now we face the next challenge. Post offices and cash machines are an important part of the system and provide access to cash, but they were never designed to replace the full range of services provided by a bank branch. So now we must go further and protect access to face to face banking. Because banking is not just about paying in or withdrawing money, it's also about fixing a blocked card, resolving a failed payment, sorting out fraud and getting advice and help when it matters the most.

And on Ford specifically, Mr. Speaker, there are now 3 million cases a year, and most begin online when something goes wrong. Having someone to help in a face to face context can be the difference between stopping the fraud early and losing life savings. And for those who are offline, this is not just a theoretical issue. A pensioner with a frozen account shouldn't have to travel miles just to speak to a human being. A small business shouldn't be left waiting on hold when they need to pay their customers or suppliers or staff.

A first time buyer shouldn't have to navigate the complex mortgage market from just an app. These are just some of the gaps in the current system, and this bill addresses those gaps and more. It develops a model that is not only fair, but sustainable, one that works for consumers, banks, and for the long term future of our high streets and communities. It shifts the focus away from access to cash, to access to wider in-person banking services, and ensures that banking hubs provide what people actually need help to manage their money face to face when it matters most.

Mr. speaker, I have also seen this issue play out firsthand in my own constituency. Since 2015, we have lost over 90% of our bank branches Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, Halifax and Lloyds have all closed, leaving just one building society branch nationwide in Havant town centre. So I worked with residents, with Ministers and with Lincoln over several years to secure a new banking hub for our community, which is due to open in the coming weeks. That is progress. It shows the model can work, but it also highlights its limitations because under the current law, hubs are only delivered when access to cash is judged to be inadequate.

So if there's an ATM on the high street or a post office providing deposit and withdrawal services, a banking hub may not be deemed necessary. Despite the lack of wider banking services in the area. This means in practice, many people, including in places like Emsworth and Hayling Island, cannot get basic banking services or basic banking problems resolved. They're still travelling miles, still struggling to speak to someone still left without support they need. Mr. speaker, this is not a failure of the idea.

It's a gap in its design, which this bill resolves. And it's also worth being clear, Mr. Speaker, this bill is not about mandating a return to the old model of bank branches on every high street. Instead, it's about ensuring that the modern banking system we have created works for everyone. In developing this bill, I've engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Post Office, UK finance, which. And age UK, all of whom recognise the need to go further in ensuring access to in-person banking services outside traditional branches.

In return, I have aimed to be equally pragmatic when drawing up this bill and leading the campaign for more banking hubs, for example, I recognise that many people are able to rely solely on mobile or online banking and rarely have to step into a bank branch or a banking hub. I'm also not wedded to a banking hub, being a bricks and mortar building with fixed high costs, a hub could be a modular building, a pop up, a mobile unit all located inside existing buildings such as a supermarket, post office or community centre.

What's important is the ability to speak face to face. Mr. speaker, this bill is not about turning back the clock. It's not about resisting innovation or looking to the past. Instead, this bill and my wider campaign is the practical evolution of a system that is already working. It's a timely refinement to reflect how people actually use banking services today. In fact, this bill is about making sure that progress works for everyone, because we cannot allow a two tier system to emerge, one for those who can navigate apps and algorithms, and another for those who can't.

I welcome the constructive engagement I've had with the Treasury and the City Minister on this issue. There is clear recognition on all sides of the House that more must be done to expand banking hubs, and this bill offers a practical, proportionate and sustainable way forward. So let us build on what works and fix what doesn't, and ensure that banking hubs deliver not just access to cash, but access to banking, because no one should be locked out of managing their own money simply because they cannot do it online.

Mr. speaker, I urge colleagues across the House to support this bill, and I commend it to the House.

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The. The hon. Member, I believe, to bring in the bill. The question is that the hon. Member have leave to bring in the Bill. As many of that bring in the Bill. As many of that opinion say, I. I the contrary, no, I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Who will prepare to bring in the bill?

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in the bill? Sir? Jeremy Hunt John Glen. Joy Morrissey. Andrew Griffith. Claire Coutinho. Laura Trott. Jack Rankin. Nick Timothy. John Cooper. Neil O'Brien. Lewis Cocking. And myself, Mr. Speaker.

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In-Person In-Person Banking In-Person Banking Services In-Person Banking Services Bill. Second Reading. What day? Friday the 8th of May.

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Friday the 8th of May. Friday the 8th of May. Thank you.

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Friday the 8th of May. Thank you. We now come to motion number two on Tamworth. I beg to move. The question is that the House

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The question is that the House motion has on the Order Paper as many of that opinion say, I. I of many of that opinion say, I. I of the contrary. No, I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Order, order! The sitting is suspended. Shortly before the sitting resumes. I shall cause the division bills to

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So So if.

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So if. You remember. Dennis, Dennis.
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None Portrait Sitting suspended
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None Portrait Sitting Suspended. Awaiting a message from the Lords Commissioners.
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>> >> Close

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Close Close the Close the door.

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Close the door. Close the door. Black Close the door. Black Rod Close the door. Black Rod, Close the door. Black Rod, open

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Close the door. Black Rod, open

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Mr Mr Speaker.

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The Lords, who are authorised by virtue of His Majesty's Commission to declare the Royal Assent to the to declare the Royal Assent to the acts that have been passed by the acts that have been passed by the houses, and also to declare the prorogation of Parliament, desire the presence of this noble House.

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To. Gill Gill Furniss Gill Furniss Bradford Gill Furniss Bradford South.

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Speaker.

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Of.

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Order, Order, order. Order, order. I Order, order. I have Order, order. I have to Order, order. I have to acquaint

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Order, order. I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of peers, where a commission under the great Seal was commission under the great Seal was read, authorising the law. The Royal Assent to the following acts. Royal Assent to the following acts. National insurance contributions. Employer Pensions Contributions Act, Employer Pensions Contributions Act, 2026. Grenfell Tower Memorial Expenditure Act 2026. Ministerial Salaries Amendment Act 2026. Tobacco and Vaping Act 2026. Victims and Courts Act 2026.

Crime and Policing Act 2026. Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. Pension Schemes Act 2026. English Devolution Community Empowerment Act 2026. I have further to acquaint the House that the Leader of the House of Lords, one of the Lords Commissioners, delivered His Majesty's most gracious speech to both Houses of Parliament in pursuance of His Majesty's command for greater accuracy. I have obtained a copy, and also directed that the terms of the speech be printed in the Journal of this House.

Copies are being made available in the Vote Office. The Commission was also proroguing this present Parliament, and the Leader of the House of Lords said, my Lords and members of the House of Commons, by virtue of His Majesty's Commission, which is now read, we do in his Majesty's name, and in obedience to His Majesty's commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday, the 13th day of May, to be. Then here Maldon, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday, the 13th of May.



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And And the And the most And the most and And the most and the
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