Spending Review 2025

Debate between Rachel Reeves and Nick Smith

Wednesday 11th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Reeves]

It is difficult to tell whether the hon. Gentleman supports the spending review and the additional money that we are putting into public services, or is against it. The settlement for the NHS means 3% real-terms growth a year, and for the police the figure is 2.3% a year. There is also an increase in per-pupil funding, as well as a real-terms increase in the schools budget, so I am not exactly sure what the hon. Gentleman’s complaint is.

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

There was a terrible, dangerous coal slip in my constituency last autumn, and the coal tips safety funding announced today is hugely welcome. It is great to see our Labour Government standing up for Wales. Looking forward, however, may I ask the Chancellor please to review the miners’ staff superannuation scheme? Hard-working families deserve fairness in their retirement, and I am sure that she will give them a fair hearing.

[Rachel Reeves]

I am very pleased that we were able to make this multi-year commitment on coal tip safety. The Government provided money for this in last year’s spending review, but that was for just one year, and today we have been able to give certainty that money will be available for the vital work that is necessary. I thank my hon. Friend for welcoming it; it is a shame that Plaid Cymru did not.

My hon. Friend has been a staunch supporter of reform of the miners’ pension scheme. We made reforms in the Budget last year, but I will ensure that the relevant Minister meets him to discuss what more we can do to secure a fair pension for miners in retirement.

Finance (No. 4) Bill

Debate between Rachel Reeves and Nick Smith

Thursday 19th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

I understand that age-related benefits were an idea put forward by Winston Churchill. Does my hon. Friend think that George Osborne knows better than Winston Churchill?

[Rachel Reeves]

Government Members would do well to look to Churchill rather than to their current leaders when deciding how to vote today.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rachel Reeves and Nick Smith

Monday 12th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

1. What estimate she has made of the change in the number of police officers during the comprehensive spending review period.

[Rachel Reeves (Leeds West) (Lab)]

13. What her policy is on the future size of the police officer work force.