Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Business and Trade
Lorraine Beavers
Main Page: Lorraine Beavers (Labour - Blackpool North and Fleetwood)Department Debates - View all Lorraine Beavers's debates with the Department for Business and Trade
Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation
Lorraine Beavers Excerpts(1 day, 8 hours ago)
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Blair McDougall
The question of equalising pay and conditions is a matter for those talks. That is why, through the Secretary of State, we are bringing together the owner and the trade unions to have those discussions. I also pay tribute to Dean and Aaron, who can now say that they have had their names mentioned at the Dispatch Box.
Lorraine Beavers (Blackpool North and Fleetwood) (Lab)
I am a proud member of the CWU. Posties in my constituency are clear that the problems at Royal Mail are the previous board’s financial mismanagement, along with lower wages, longer hours and poorer conditions. The Conservatives and the Lib Dems were warned that that would happen, but they privatised Royal Mail anyway. Will the Government commit to ensuring that the new owners stick to the agreement with the CWU and the Government, meet the universal service obligation and ensure that my constituents get the service that they deserve?
Blair McDougall
My hon. Friend is right. Her constituents absolutely deserve better, and she is right to highlight the long-standing issues that we are trying to deal with. Royal Mail should absolutely meet all the obligations that it has entered into.