Poundland

Claire Hazelgrove Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Kate Dearden]

My hon. Friend is entirely right. We are not just sitting back. I ask again, what would be the role of politicians and this Government if we were to do that? We are taking our responsibility seriously, and it is legitimate for us to ask the business to do everything it can to protect employees and suppliers. We are seeking clarity on its plans and trying to gain a clear understanding of the situation, which is exactly what a responsible Government should do in these circumstances.

[Claire Hazelgrove (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Lab)]

Let me first declare an interest as a proud member of USDAW.

I share the support for valued Poundland workers across the country at this time of great uncertainty for them, including those in the Emersons Green branch in my constituency. Local people work hard, day in day out, for this profitable company, and deserve so much better than the worry of possible job losses that are no fault of their own, but the result of inaction on the part of the owners. What reassurance can the Minister give me, and those valued local workers, that the Government are doing all they can now, and will review regulations and processes to establish whether poor owner behaviour can be further protected against in future?

[Kate Dearden]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue in the House. She is absolutely right, and I share her concerns for her constituents and for the thousands of families and employees across the country who are really worried about the future of their jobs. We have been standing ready to take action to support workers and reassure families wherever we can. We want the best possible outcome for the workforce and the future of the business. That is why we are working hard behind the scenes to protect jobs, and we will continue our engagement this week. It is a real priority for us, and I want to work closely with the business and the unions.

Performance of Royal Mail

Claire Hazelgrove Excerpts

Monday 26th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Morrison]

The hon. Member makes a really important point. We have seen through door knocking in my constituency that people are now less willing to take a postal vote, which could have real implications for our democratic process going forward.

How does this situation get resolved? I want to make it clear that this issue does not land at the feet of our postal workers.

[Claire Hazelgrove (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Lab)]

I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests regarding the CWU. On that precise point, does the hon. Gentleman agree that this really is not the fault of our dedicated postal workers? In fact, it is a real loss across the country, and certainly in my constituency, to see many dedicated and long-serving postal workers stepping away from roles that they have held for decades because of the uncertainty and the workload that they face.

[Mr Morrison]

The hon. Lady makes a really important point. Royal Mail used to be characterised by a really low turnover of staff, but that is changing rapidly, and the culture of the workplace is changing with it.

Following on from that point, I visited sorting offices in my constituency last year and talked through the issues that the postal workers faced. They work in incredibly hard conditions, but that is being made even worse, because senior management cannot get a grip. It is the so-called leaders at the top who are failing and leaving staff lower down to get the blame and angst from angry customers.

Oral Answers to Questions

Claire Hazelgrove Excerpts

Thursday 13th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alexander]

I can assure the House that we do welcome the investment of which the right hon. Gentleman speaks. Speaking on behalf of the constituency of East Lothian, I recognise fully the importance of the rural economy and agriculture’s contribution thereto. That is why we are in regular dialogue with the NFU and other key stakeholders.

[Claire Hazelgrove (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Lab)]

Together with the Startup Coalition, I recently held a roundtable with brilliant local start-ups working out of Future Space at the University of the West of England. Issues that they have been facing for a long time include accessing the same opportunities and support for growth as larger businesses. Would the Minister please set out what support his Department will be providing so that our very smallest businesses can thrive too?

Budget Resolutions

Claire Hazelgrove Excerpts

Wednesday 6th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Claire Hazelgrove (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Lab)]

When I was out knocking on doors and listening to fellow residents at the weekend, many people in Winterbourne said how pleased they were to see us begin the change that has been so desperately needed by so many for so long. From our NHS and our schools to our industry and our roads, this Labour Budget is focused on fixing the foundations, delivering change that matters, and rebuilding Britain. After 14 years of decline and neglect, simple things have become much harder than they should be, and although people know that it will take time to deliver the scale of change that Britain needs, we now have funding for 40,000 more NHS appointments a week, and money to rebuild schools that are crumbling around our children and to start to improve SEND support, so that every child can thrive, and to make life fairer for carers who look after loved ones. This is a Labour Government delivering as promised.

The Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency is a rich tapestry of towns and villages that have strong local character and great national and international impact. I am proud that our communities are at the heart of aerospace in the UK. We are the home of both Concorde and the future of flight, and major companies, supported by brilliant SMEs, are innovating every day to reduce emissions and lead the way in British enterprise. I know that local people will join me in welcoming our Government’s investment of £975 million in the aerospace sector in the Budget. That will fund vital research and development for the latest aerospace technology in our region and beyond. That is important because rebuilding Britain is also about restoring Britain’s leadership and place on the world stage. We have a strong defence sector locally, including MOD Abbey Wood, so I welcome the £2.9 billion uplift in defence funding, in addition to the funding for Ukraine for as long as it is needed. Our support must never waver.

As the first ever woman to represent my constituency, I note what an important moment it was to see the first woman Chancellor in our country’s history stand to deliver the Budget. Representation matters, as does delivering change.

This Budget does what our new Labour Government were elected to do: it sets the path for rebuilding Britain. I look forward to supporting those efforts on behalf of my community, who elected me to deliver that change.