Business of the House

Debate between Rebecca Long Bailey and Chris Grayling

Thursday 18th June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Chris Grayling]

Air passenger duty is one of the taxes that was introduced by the Labour Government and that I wish was lower. I am pleased that in government we have been able to freeze it and remove it for children. I know that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will continue to keep it under review and, after the Budget in early July, we will have extensive chances to debate air passenger duty and other taxes. I hope that my hon. Friend will take advantage of the opportunity.

[Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford and Eccles) (Lab)]

The Leader of the House may be aware that following the recent takeover of Friends Life, Aviva plans to slash £225 million from its annual budget. As part of the proposals, it intends to close its offices in Salford, Stretford and Salisbury, creating devastating job uncertainty for more than 780 employees. It has further proposals to close offices in Dorking, Exeter and central Manchester. Given the national scale of this terrible issue, is the Leader of the House amenable to diarising an urgent debate in this Chamber?

Business of the House

Debate between Rebecca Long Bailey and Chris Grayling

Thursday 28th May 2015 Commons Chamber

[Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford and Eccles) (Lab)]

For some time now we have seen the monopolisation of our high street banking system by a select number of institutions. It has recently come to my attention that in Salford and Eccles a number of high street branches have been earmarked for closure. Would the Leader of the House be amenable to an open and frank discussion about the future of our banking system, so that we can offer a service that truly serves the people, rather than the interests of shareholders and hedge fund managers?

[Chris Grayling]

I welcome the hon. Lady to this House. Obviously it is important for all of our constituencies that we ensure that a proper range of services is available to our constituents. At the same time, commercial decisions have to be taken by organisations that are looking to make sure that they deliver the right service in the right places. These issues are never easy, but she will have the opportunity to make a request for an Adjournment debate—which, by the sounds of it, would have support on this side of the House as well. These are issues that can and should be debated in this House; there are opportunities for her to requisition such a debate.