Oral Answers to Questions

Hugh Gaffney Excerpts

Tuesday 12th December 2017 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Hugh Gaffney (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)]

1. What assessment he has made of the effect of the privatisation of Royal Mail on employment standards in the postal industry.

[Christian Matheson (City of Chester) (Lab)]

11. What assessment he has made of the effect of the privatisation of Royal Mail on employment standards in the postal industry.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Margot James)]

Almost all Royal Mail’s 142,000 staff are on permanent contracts and earn above the living wage. Employees own 12% of its shares, and it has been a Times top-50 employer for women for four consecutive years. The Government will protect workers’ rights, ensuring they keep pace with the changing labour market.

[Hugh Gaffney]

Today is postal workers day, and I am sure the House would like to thank all postal workers in Royal Mail and Parcelforce for the good work they do all year round, six days a week, in all kinds of weather across the UK.

Royal Mail was not for sale. Under this Government and privatisation, its employees face worse pay and conditions and attacks on pensions, along with the threat of more job losses. Will the Minister renationalise Royal Mail?

[Margot James]

I heartily agree with the hon. Gentleman’s celebration of our postal workers today. As he says, they will deliver in all weather to 29 million addresses across the country over the festive season. I cannot agree, however, that renationalisation is the answer. Royal Mail is in negotiations with the Communication Workers Union, and progress has been made following mediation by Professor Lynette Harris. I assure the hon. Gentleman that there would be a great loss to the postal workers, who, let us not forget, own 12%—