Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Phil Brickell

Wednesday 11th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Phil Brickell (Bolton West) (Lab)]

I thank the Minister for his constructive engagement with me over the past few weeks on Royal Mail’s poor services in my Bolton West constituency. I know that he shares my utter frustration at the current service provision. May I flag with the Minister a letter that I sent to Horwich constituents on 13 February, updating them on the progress that I had made with the Minister on this matter? A constituent got in touch to say that the letter was only received on 25 February, some 12 days later, alongside missing correspondence from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the NHS and the Department for Work and Pensions. Another constituent in Bolton received a Christmas card on 7 March that had been posted before 14 December. When will my constituents see an improvement in Royal Mail services?

[Mr Speaker]

Can we try to shorten the questions? Some people are not going to get in, and that really worries me, as this subject matters to all of us—especially me, as I have the best post offices and the best posties.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Phil Brickell

Monday 3rd March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Phil Brickell (Bolton West) (Lab)]

T7. I have recently received a number of complaints from my constituents about leasehold managing agents. These include unacceptably long delays for repairs—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. It is totally unfair when a Member is speaking to block the vision of the Chair.

[Phil Brickell]

These include unacceptably long delays for repairs and exorbitant costs at Greenmount Court in Smithills, despite spiralling fees, poor transparency and little to no communication from the agent. What steps is the Minister taking to deliver a fairer deal for existing leaseholders and to hold poorly performing managing agents to account?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Phil Brickell

Thursday 21st November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Phil Brickell (Bolton West) (Lab)]

T4. I would like to share the experience of Northern Rail services of one of my constituents who commutes to work from Lostock to Manchester. On 30 October, the 1639 service leaving Manchester was cancelled, the 1708 was cancelled, the 1808 was cancelled and the 1839 was cancelled. The one running train, the 1739, was so overcrowded that no one at stations further down the line could board it. Does the Minister agree that my hard-working constituents in Bolton West deserve better?

[Mr Speaker]

Yes, I am on the same line.