Oral Answers to Questions

Rachel Hopkins Excerpts

Wednesday 26th November 2025 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Rachel Hopkins (Luton South and South Bedfordshire) (Lab)]

Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 26 November.

[The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)]

May I begin by echoing your remarks, Mr Speaker, about Stephen, who is in the Gallery? He has been an incredible servant and a good friend to the United Kingdom, and we wish him well in everything he does in the future.

Today’s Budget will be a Labour Budget with Labour values to deliver for the British people’s priorities. I know what it feels like to sit around the kitchen table worried about bills that cannot be paid. That is why this Budget is for families who I know are equally worried about the cost of living today. That is why we are rolling out free breakfast clubs, free childcare and free school meals. Today, we will be going further to deliver the change that we were elected to bring about, cutting NHS waiting lists, cutting the national debt and cutting the cost of living.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall have further such meetings later today.

[Rachel Hopkins]

For years and years, rail fares have gone up and up, but that is set to change next year. Can the Prime Minister confirm that commuters in my constituency will see a saving of around £400 on their annual season ticket as a result of this Government freezing rail fares? Can he confirm that it is only possible because we have a Labour Government?

[The Prime Minister]

I can confirm that next year we are freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years, saving millions of commuters hundreds of pounds. That is only possible because we have a Labour Government investing in Great British Railways and putting more money in the pockets of passengers. We can contrast our approach with that of the Leader of the Opposition, who says that the minimum wage is a burden and wants to means-test the state pension.

Oral Answers to Questions

Rachel Hopkins Excerpts

Wednesday 6th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)]

4. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Scotland.

[Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab)]

5. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Scotland.

[Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) (Lab)]

9. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Scotland.

--- Later in debate ---

[Rachel Hopkins]

Scottish rail fares are set to rise by 8.7% next month. This eye-watering fare hike will hit Scots hard during a cost of living crisis and push Scotland’s rail service into a spiral of decline. Does the Minister agree that we need affordable fares to help people through the cost of living crisis and encourage more people to travel by train?

[John Lamont]

I certainly agree that we should do all we can to encourage people to travel by train. The Scottish Government’s approach to ScotRail might discourage that. I am happy to meet the hon. Member to discuss that further.

Oral Answers to Questions

Rachel Hopkins Excerpts

Wednesday 28th April 2021 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I do, and I thank my hon. Friend for all the wonderful work that he does for his constituency. My message would be, yes, I hope that the people of Nottinghamshire will get out and vote Conservative. It is we who share their priorities on crime, on the NHS, on investment in infrastructure and on levelling up across our country, so I hope they will vote Conservative on 6 May.

[Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab) [V]]

When were the Prime Minister and his chief of staff first made aware of the plan for a European super league?

[The Prime Minister]

I first was made aware of the plan for a European super league on, I think, the Sunday night, and we acted decisively using the arsenal of legislative freedoms that we now have thanks to leaving the European Union, which the right hon. and learned Member for Holborn and St Pancras (Keir Starmer) opposed, of course. We acted decisively to make clear that the UK Government took a dim view of this matter. [Interruption.] And the same goes for my chief of staff.