Poundland

Julian Lewis Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Kate Dearden]

I pay tribute to USDAW for its work, and for its engagement with members and the Government; I know how concerned it is about its members’ jobs and livelihoods. We have engaged with it closely throughout this process, and we will continue to do so. USDAW will join me in my meeting with Poundland tomorrow.

[Sir Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con)]

The great majority of the more than 300 online reviews of the Poundland store in Totton in New Forest East give it a five-star or four-star rating. I think the most concerning part of the question from the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Gareth Snell) was his concentration—rightly—on the apparent rejection of viable, solvent bids. If ever there were a case of potential asset stripping, this would appear to be it, and if the Government cannot intervene, surely trade unions and their legal advisers have a positive role to play?

[Kate Dearden]

I am thrilled to hear the right hon. Member talk about the important role of trade unions—something I talk about constantly at the Dispatch Box, so it is quite refreshing to hear it repeated back to me. Of course, I cannot speak about what exactly USDAW’s legal advice is or what it is doing, but as the right hon. Member will have heard me say, we are meeting both USDAW and the business. Obviously, USDAW is standing up for its members, who are really concerned about their livelihoods in the run-up to Christmas. I thank it for that, and for its continued engagement.