Business of the House

Danny Beales Excerpts

Thursday 12th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Volunteer and community-led organisations are at the heart of our local communities, and the work that they do brings so much support to those in need. I join my hon. Friend in thanking organisations such as Dementia Heroes in his constituency. Every week, we hear from Members about the work of volunteers across our country, so if he sought a debate on the subject, I am sure that it would be popular.

[Danny Beales (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) (Lab)]

The post office in Uxbridge provides vital services to my constituents. It gives access to banking services, to Government forms for applying for passports or driving licences, and to general postal services. That is why residents were horrified to hear that the post office will close at the end of May, with no replacement in sight, and that when the council approved the redevelopment of the building, it made no provision for a new post office, and placed no conditions on the developer to find a new site for a post office in the town centre. Does the Leader of the House agree that this simply is not good enough, and will he make time for a debate in this place about the vital role of community postal services?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. It sounds like a very frustrating time for his constituents. He is right about the importance of post offices to town centres, and that is why this Government set minimum access criteria. I understand that an alternative location in Uxbridge is being actively explored, but he may wish to raise this matter at oral questions to the Department for Business and Trade at the beginning of next month and ask the Minister for an update.