Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 20 May 2019
Billy McNeill MBE
"As the MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill, I know that Bellshill is already talking about erecting a statue to Billy McNeill to recognise the great man. I speak as someone who grew up in Lanarkshire; my brother was born in 1967 and his first words were “Celtic”. I also …..."Hugh Gaffney - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 20 May 2019
Billy McNeill MBE
"Before the hon. Gentleman moves on from 1967, is it not a great tribute that the Celtic fans at Parkhead shine their phones like stars every Saturday during the 67th minute?..."Hugh Gaffney - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Mar 2019
Beer Taxation and Pubs
"I thank the hon. Member for Dudley South (Mike Wood) for securing this debate, and I congratulate my local Coatbridge brewery, the Veterans, on its successful launch on Armistice Day 2014. It was built by ex-servicemen, and I visited it recently.
Many years ago, I worked in the pub trade …..."Hugh Gaffney - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 14 Feb 2019
Santander Closures and Local Communities
"I have a background in the Post Office. All we see is closure after closure, and now that WHSmith—the worst retailer on the high street—is taking the contract, it could also close post offices. The excuse given by the banks—that if they close down, people can use the post office—needs …..."Hugh Gaffney - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 14 Feb 2019
Santander Closures and Local Communities
"I thank the hon. Gentleman for making that point, because we did have a network: it was called the Crown post offices. They are closing them down. If the banks want to shut down, give us work in the post offices. Let us stop the closure of Crown post offices, …..."Hugh Gaffney - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 14 Feb 2019
Santander Closures and Local Communities
"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Rosindell. I thank my constituency neighbour, the hon. Member for Glasgow East (David Linden), for securing this debate.
In my constituency of Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill, we have seen the loss of local branches in recent years. Recently, Stepps, Tannochside …..."Hugh Gaffney - View Speech
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Speech in Westminster Hall - Thu 14 Feb 2019
Santander Closures and Local Communities
"That is exactly what is happening up and down the country. I have seen many fighting for people’s jobs in Crown post offices, which have good terms and conditions that are not matched by WHSmith.
I asked the Chancellor in a written question whether the Treasury had made any assessment …..."Hugh Gaffney - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 13 Feb 2019
Communities: Charities and Volunteers
"I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests regarding my position as a councillor for Thorniewood on North Lanarkshire Council.
In all our communities, charities carry out work on a voluntary basis, from supporting the elderly to assisting families who have fallen on hard times. …..."Hugh Gaffney - View Speech
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Written Question
Tuesday 5th February 2019
Asked by:
Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question
to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of Santander's proposal to close 140 branches in the UK on people's access to money.
Answered by John Glen
The Treasury has not made an assessment. The decision to close a branch is a commercial issue for the management team of the bank. However, Government believes it is important the impact on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible.
The Government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard which commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing. It also helps customers to understand the options they have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board.
Government also considers it important that all customers, wherever they live and especially those who are vulnerable, can still access over the counter services. That is why we support the Post Office’s Banking Framework Agreement, which enables 99% of banks’ personal and 95% of banks’ small business customers to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,500 branches.
The Government is committed to ensuring that communities across the UK are fully aware of the important services that remain available to them at their local Post Office, even if their bank branch is closed. In response to my predecessor’s request, the Post Office and UK Finance have committed to work together to raise public awareness of the banking services available at the Post Office for individuals and SMEs.
Written Question
Monday 14th January 2019
Asked by:
Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question
to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of the level of average household debt.
Answered by John Glen
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces quarterly estimates of household debt in the UK, but not for estimates of average household debt in the UK. These estimates can be used to be measure household debt-to-income ratios, which provide a better measure for current levels of household debt in the economy by accounting for changes in both prices and the size of the population.
In the UK as a whole, the household debt-to-income ratio was 139% in Q3 2018. This remains significantly below the pre-crisis peak of 160% in Q1 2008. Debt interest payments as a share of income remain low by historical standards and below pre-crisis levels. Household net financial wealth as a proportion of income remains close to record highs and above pre-crisis levels.