Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Torsten Bell

Monday 3rd February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Torsten Bell]

I encourage all pensioners to consider whether they are eligible for pension credit, but also to look for the wider support that can be provided via the household support fund and the warm homes discount. I say gently to the hon. Member that the driving up of council tax bills is a direct result of the destruction of local government finances by the Conservative party over 14 years.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the shadow Secretary of State.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Torsten Bell

Tuesday 21st January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Helen Maguire (Epsom and Ewell) (LD)]

4. What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her fiscal policies of recent trends in levels of investment in green infrastructure.

[The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Torsten Bell)]

Too many parts of the country and too many families have felt the devastating effects of flooding in recent months, not least in South Wales and in the hon. Member’s constituency. The Government have committed £2.4 billion over the next two years to increase community flood resilience. Everyone in this House recognises that flooding is a challenge that will be with us for years to come, and we will set out further plans at the spending review.

[Mr Speaker]

Right—oh, go on, Bill Esterson.

--- Later in debate ---

[Torsten Bell]

We take very seriously the need to protect communities from flooding and to deliver on our commitments on climate in the years ahead. It is important that we consider both principles and that is what the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero are doing.

[Mr Speaker]

Let’s go back to Helen Maguire.

[Helen Maguire]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Recent flooding in Leatherhead left footpaths near essential services such as train stations overflooding with sewage. In Leatherhead, there are no alternative options to divert water. Given the importance of long-term flood preparations, will the Chancellor commit to securing funding for flood defences beyond 2025-26?

[Torsten Bell]

The hon. Member will know that specific flood defence schemes will be considered in the normal way. When it comes to funding beyond 2025-26, those will be decisions on overall levels of funding that are taken in the spending review later this year.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Let us move to Dr Allison Gardner.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Minister—welcome to the Front Bench.

[The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Torsten Bell)]

My hon. Friend is a powerful advocate for his constituents, and particularly for those who have suffered in recent weeks, including others across Greater Manchester. As I set out earlier, the Government have put in £2.4 billion to ensure flood resilience over the next two years; as he will be aware, future decisions on flood defence funding will be taken in the spending review in the normal way. I know that he will continue to be a powerful advocate for his constituents.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Torsten Bell

Wednesday 11th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Torsten Bell]

Back in the 1990s, the Conservatives claimed that the minimum wage would cost 1 million jobs. Instead, low earners have seen the fastest pay rises year after year, with no effect on employment—[Interruption.] They opposed it. Today, and on their watch, 1 million workers are on zero-hours contracts and more than 1 million people have no sick pay whatsoever, facing risks that nobody in this House would bear. The details matter, but it is outdated nonsense—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Please sit down. One, it is easier if you face me—I can hear it better. The second part is that it is meant to be a question, not a statement. [Interruption.] No, I decide. I call the Prime Minister.