Business Rates: Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

Debate between Mark Pritchard and Lindsay Hoyle
Monday 19th January 2026

(1 week, 5 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Pritchard Portrait Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con)
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The Minister does not have to defect to Reform to get a pint, and I am very happy to show him round the pubs in Shropshire’s villages and market towns. I will show him that pubs are not just about having non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks; they are often at the very heart of village communities. Local charities, the women’s institute, pensioner groups and others meet there because the post office or the shop has closed. May I genuinely invite the Minister to get out of London—out of the beltway and out of the bubble—and come to Shropshire? He will not be allowed inside pubs, of course, but I can bring him a pint outside when the warmer weather comes. I appeal to him to join me in Shropshire and hear at first hand what pub landlords and owners have to say.

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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We’re at last orders. Come on, Minister.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Pritchard and Lindsay Hoyle
Monday 8th September 2025

(4 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Let us go to Mark Pritchard.

Mark Pritchard Portrait Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con)
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That is the story of my life—I am always the reserve, but I am always happy to step in. [Laughter.]

Boxer, Challenger 3 and now the gun barrel facility are going to be based in my constituency—well, I hope the latter will be in my constituency, but certainly in Shropshire. Will the Secretary of State put on the record his thanks for all the work of the men and women —the new engineers, the 100 new employees—taken on for the Boxer programme since March by Rheinmetall Defence and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land? Shropshire is a defence hub, and I ask the new ministerial team—some of them are here for me to welcome them today—whether the Government will continue to invest in Shropshire, recognising the link between local universities and colleges, and the defence supply chain.