Business of the House

Richard Tice Excerpts

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Bobby Dean (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

I associate myself with the comments about hurricane victims and, indeed, with the comments about Prunella Scales.

Earlier this week, we were treated to the delight of a Conservative Opposition day, and the main thing we learned is that the Conservatives do enjoy being in opposition. We had the shadow Housing Secretary, the right hon. Member for Braintree (Sir James Cleverly), decrying the housing crisis that their Government left behind, and the former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the right hon. Member for Central Devon (Sir Mel Stride), committing to reducing the welfare bill that went up on their watch.

We hear that we are to get yet another Conservative Opposition day next week. The Conservatives are set to get 17 days to the Liberal Democrats’ three in this parliamentary Session. We would just gently suggest that, if we want to elevate the debate in this Chamber, we may want to redress that balance in the next Session.

[Richard Tice (Boston and Skegness) (Reform)]

How many does Reform get?

[Bobby Dean]

Moving on to fraud—speaking of— I would like to focus on how fraud destroys lives. It eradicates people’s savings, it plunges people into debt and it diminishes people’s faith in human nature. Fraud is on the rise—it is up by almost a fifth—and it makes up nearly half of all crime in the UK.

I know that the Government are set to release a fraud strategy soon, but there are worrying reports that a key component is about to be ditched. British banks pick up the tab for fraud in this country. They are the ones who reimburse the victims, even though the vast majority of fraud these days happens on online platforms. The Prime Minister himself recognises this, saying before the election that tech companies have a clear obligation and should have a clear financial incentive to tackle fraud. That commitment is what we are worried about being dropped—apparently to appease American President Donald Trump.

The Government sent a gushing letter to big tech CEOs over the summer congratulating them on their efforts in tackling fraud, but UK Finance and the Financial Conduct Authority both disagree and say that big tech companies are not doing enough. Can the Government publish their fraud strategy and commit to holding big tech companies to account, ensuring that they are hit in the pocket for not tackling fraud?

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I congratulate every one of the groups nominated for the red kite awards, including my hon. Friend’s constituency Salvation Army. She will know as well as I do that her constituency produced the world’s first ever Salvation Army brass band. I think the red kite awards are a fantastic way to recognise the importance of volunteers and I thank her for that. Should she wish to apply for a debate on supporting them, I am sure it would be well attended.

[Richard Tice (Boston and Skegness) (Reform)]

Given the Government’s difficulties and delays in establishing a public inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, will the Leader of the House and the Government consider establishing a Joint Committee of both Houses to look into it, with parliamentary powers to summon people and papers, to arrive at answers and the truth faster and more effectively?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I like to think that I am across what is happening in the House and, obviously, in politics, but I am losing count of what the hon. Gentleman’s party wants when it comes to a grooming gangs inquiry. It wants one, and then it does not; and when one is granted, it is not the right one. There is a simple fact in all this: this Government are absolutely determined that there will be an inquiry, that it will get to the truth, that victims will be at the centre of it—

[Richard Tice]

How long?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Victims will be at the centre of it, and we will deliver the recommendations of that inquiry and improve the situation that the hon. Gentleman’s party is at risk of playing politics with.