Oral Answers to Questions

Imogen Walker Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd November 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Lucy Rigby)]

As the hon. Member knows, we have a commitment already to 350 banking hubs. We are working with industry to deliver those 350 hubs over the course of this Parliament. We also have the access to banking review being done by Richard Lloyd. The end result will be more banking hubs across the country.

[Imogen Walker (Hamilton and Clyde Valley) (Lab)]

T5. Real progress was made in the Budget on the former mineworkers’ pensions, and I am very grateful to the Chancellor and the rest of the team for that, but there is more to do and time is pressing. Our mineworkers did incredibly difficult jobs in very challenging environments and kept the lights on for all of us—they deserve every penny of their pensions. Can the Chancellor tell me when we can expect an update on the release of the remaining funds?

[John Healey]

I know my hon. Friend welcomes the step I took at the Budget that guarantees that every penny of the pension fund surplus will now go in full to miners. I know the job is not done; I will go on to ensure the full transfer of the guarantors fund. I want a way to resolve this in weeks, not months. That work is under way. It will be done jointly by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Treasury. I will ensure that my hon. Friend and other Members across this House from mining communities like mine are fully updated on that work.