Business of the House

Nick Smith Excerpts

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

First, I join the right hon. Gentleman and the House in sending our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the young people involved. Each and every one of them is a tragedy.

On the wider issue about the NHS in the right hon. Gentleman’s area, there is no question of a U-turn. He knows very well, from his former roles in government, the importance of delivering services locally but having a Government setting the strategy and providing the resources. I do not know the detail, other than what he has said, but if he wishes to provide me with that, I will certainly raise it with colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care. In trusts across the country, there are many who, despite this Government putting more money into the NHS, are struggling with the legacy of his Government.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) (Lab)]

The Government have delivered for mineworkers and their families on improving their pension schemes. Although members of both the mineworkers’ pension scheme and the British Coal staff superannuation scheme tell me that they are pleased after the release of reserved funds, there are many former miners in their 80s and 90s who could benefit further from future support. Can we please have a statement from the Minister for Industry on the next steps for both those schemes?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend rightly draws attention to the fact that the Government have delivered justice for members of the former British Coal pension scheme. I thank him for the role he played in the campaign to persuade the Government to do that. He may wish to raise his question directly with Ministers at Energy Security and Net Zero oral questions next week to see what more could be done. Should he seek a meeting with Ministers on that, I will help him to arrange one.