Financial Guidance and Claims Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)

Debate between Pauline Latham and Jack Dromey

Tuesday 6th February 2018 Public Bill Committees

[Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

What the hon. Gentleman says is interesting, but is this really a matter for Government? Is it not for the banks to address—to ensure that their staff are trained and sympathetic to people with a terminal diagnosis? It is not something that we can legislate for, but the banks can do something about it.

[Jack Dromey]

I have the greatest respect for the hon. Lady, but I could not disagree more. This is about sending an unmistakable message about a duty of care, which in those circumstances there is a legal obligation to deliver. It also means that banks must train their staff accordingly. A duty of care cannot be just a resolution passed by this House; it must be enacted at the next stages by all providers.

[Mrs Latham]

It is for the banks to train their staff. We cannot train staff from different institutions. We can send a message, but banks must train their own staff to ensure that they act appropriately with people who have a terminal diagnosis.

[Jack Dromey]

We in this House impose obligations in the public interest that must be delivered. We need sensitivity for those going through the trauma of cancer, and having a duty of care sends an unmistakable message to the board of an organisation that that duty of care must be delivered, and it must be enacted with appropriate training by members of staff.

Financial Guidance and Claims Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting)

Debate between Pauline Latham and Jack Dromey

Thursday 1st February 2018 Public Bill Committees

[Jack Dromey]

I actually met Jacci and did a conference with her, and I thought what the hon. Member for Mid Derbyshire said on Second Reading was very powerful and moving, telling the story of a wonderful person and using it as proof positive of why we need to ensure—

[Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

Is it not true that other financial institutions could do what Santander did and voluntarily sign up to her “Dying to Work” campaign, which would help everybody that they deal with?