Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Torsten Bell and Sarah Russell

Monday 12th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Torsten Bell]

I thank the right hon. Member for his question; I just do not agree with the tone in which he asked it. This Government have considered the case set out by the ombudsman and provided a detailed response. I am afraid that the previous Government did nothing of the sort—they did not say they would proceed with a compensation scheme. In fact, the reason the ombudsman laid their report before Parliament, rather than to the Government, is that it was clear where the last Government were going with this.

[Sarah Russell (Congleton) (Lab)]

3. What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the rate of statutory paternity pay on household financial resilience.