Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeff Smith and Guy Opperman

Thursday 8th February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Guy Opperman]

I sincerely hope so.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

T5. One SME owner in my constituency told me that, if he has meetings in London, he now often travels down the night before, because he cannot rely on Avanti’s train service. Even if the trains are not cancelled, as we learned recently, Avanti is Britain’s least punctual train operator. Given that terrible service, does the Secretary of State now regret his premature decision to extend the contract for the west coast main line?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeff Smith and Guy Opperman

Monday 8th November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Guy Opperman]

As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, the reality of the situation is that we have taken the state pension—which was languishing under the previous Labour Government and had not been increased in any real way whatever—and massively increased it to £105 billion, with £24 billion on top of that. It has never been higher—never, ever. There has been a £2,000 increase compared with 2010 thanks to the triple lock and the actions of this Conservative Government.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

14. What steps her Department is taking to help support benefit claimants with increased costs of living.