Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Wheeler Excerpts

Tuesday 28th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Michael Wheeler (Worsley and Eccles) (Lab)]

2. What steps she has taken to help support people with the cost of living in Worsley and Eccles constituency.

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)]

The Government are committed to improving living standards for people across the UK. Thanks to decisions I made in the Budget, the energy price cap reduced by £117 a year, on average, in April. We have extended the cut in fuel duty twice, and introduced an anti-profiteering framework to protect working people from unfair price rises during the Iran conflict.

[Michael Wheeler]

I strongly welcome the steps that the Government have taken to bring down my constituents’ energy bills from the start of this month. However, the effects of the war in Iran are now beginning to feed through into higher food prices. Pressures on oil and fertiliser costs are likely to intensify, and I am concerned about increases in the price of my constituents’ weekly shop at a time when their budgets are already strained. Will the Chancellor outline what steps the Government have taken to protect my constituents in Worsley and Eccles from rising food prices?

[Rachel Reeves]

My hon. Friend speaks powerfully on behalf of his constituents. The response of this Government during this conflict is, first, to try to de-escalate it. This is not a war that we started, and it is not a war that we joined. Unlike the Conservatives and Reform, we are working to de-escalate, not ramp up, the conflict, and that is the best way to keep prices down. As long as the conflict persists, we will do everything in our power to be both responsive and responsible in the national interest, which is why we are keeping energy bills down and why we have provided £53 million of support for people who need heating oil.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (James Murray)]

Whatever the purpose, spending funded from bonds issued by the Government adds to the national debt and so must be considered within the fiscal rules. But the hon. Gentleman is right to point to the importance of research and development within the defence industry to support economic growth. I am proud that last year we allocated £400 million for UK defence innovation to foster a world-leading UK defence tech sector.

[Michael Wheeler (Worsley and Eccles) (Lab)]

T9. This Labour Government have ensured that, as of this month, workers in Worsley and Eccles and across the country get sick pay from day one, including low-paid workers. As chair of the USDAW parliamentary group, and having campaigned for this, I welcome this so much. Does the Chancellor agree that it is only Labour, with its trade union link, that is on the side of working people?