Business of the House

Jim McMahon Excerpts

Thursday 15th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The water supply shortages are an unacceptable failure by South East Water in every regard. We are holding the company to account and being clear with it that restoring supply must be its priority and that those affected must receive compensation. This is further evidence that the water system is broken. I could go on to talk about other companies, not least Thames Water. The hon. Lady may wish to table an urgent question, if appropriate, or apply for an Adjournment debate to raise these matters further. She rightly alluded to the fact that there needs to be a longer-term response, which is why we already have the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, which includes the toughest enforcement powers in a decade. Those powers must be used.

[Jim McMahon (Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) (Lab/Co-op)]

Reports that the Government might be looking to bring forward a support package for our pubs are very welcome—we know just how important pubs are for our communities and for bringing people together—but the pressures being felt by pubs are also being felt across hospitality in our restaurants, bars, cinemas and nightclubs. Will the Leader of the House use his good office to impress on His Majesty’s Treasury that if a package comes forward, it should be a whole-of-hospitality package?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this point on behalf of hospitality in his constituency. I gave a fuller answer on this matter previously. The Government are actively looking at how best we can help pubs and, more widely, at what further support we can provide.