BHS

Expressed sympathy for BHS staff and their families. Highlighted the challenges facing high street retailers due to increased competition from online retailing, questioning the conduct of Sir Philip Green during his ownership of BHS. Criticised the former owner’s alleged extraction of significant value from the business while causing a pension deficit of £571 million. Raised concerns about the liability for pension deficits left by irresponsible owners and questioned whether current law ensures accountability.

Agreed with the Minister that the situation regarding BHS should not be used as a political football. Suggested an urgent inquiry into the conduct of BHS’s erstwhile and current owners to ensure the Pension Protection Fund is not being abused.

Expressed solidarity with BHS workers and families, particularly in Scotland. Criticised the government for failing to stimulate economic recovery. Highlighted media claims about the financial affairs of BHS and asked for a serious investigation into these matters. Requested a commitment from the UK Government to leave no avenue unexplored in securing the future of BHS and its workers.

Tens of thousands of BHS pensioners will suffer from this news. Questions are raised about how a £5 million fund became a £571 million deficit and if there was any wrongdoing.

Thanked the Minister for visiting Tata Steel in Hartlepool, then raised concerns over BHS. Allegations that Sir Philip Green loaded company with debt, did not invest and paid his wife £400 million in dividends are serious. Asked if the Government will consider changing company legislation to prevent former owners from walking away from fallout.

Visited BHS shop in Worthing, told staff they have support and urged them to keep jobs safe and secure best possible pensions.

Reiterated concerns over pension fund deficit turning into a £571 million deficit while company paid hundreds of millions to Sir Philip Green. Asked the Minister to encourage BHS to work with trade unions.

Concerned about staff at Torquay store, asked if Government will offer support to councils for finding new tenants for anchor stores on high streets.

Representing Glasgow city centre with two BHS stores. Asked about job security for subcontractors and supply chain jobs beyond directly employed workers by BHS, seeking Minister's work with Scottish Government.

Suggested previous owner may have laughed all the way to bank when selling business. Asked if Government will write to Sir Philip Green and look at PPF legislation to ensure it is strong enough.

Expressed concern about BHS closure affecting local community in Great Grimsby, which has seen multiple store closures. Asked if Government will investigate claims of £100 million negative goodwill funds being diverted offshore.

Asked whether the pension trustees of BHS signed off on the sale and if there is a loophole that needs fixing.

Undertook to make inquiries about the pension trustees' involvement in the deal, promised to write to hon. Members with findings, confirmed robust investigation by pensions regulator and expressed confidence in it.

Associated herself with comments on Philip Green's conduct, welcomed minister’s comments about the pension regulator’s investigation, asked for assurance that the pensions regulator has enough resources to respond timely and prevent such incidents in future.

Asked whether Government's reforms on business rates would help BHS property in his constituency.

Urged the Minister to reconsider the freeze on further education budgets so that those in retail can be upskilled, highlighted the need for modernisation given internet challenges.

Pointed out Britain is spending more on shops than ever before and has become the biggest recipient of foreign direct investment in retail, asked if Government plans to cut corporation tax would help successful retailers.

Asked Minister to meet USDAW, a shopworkers' union, to see what work the Government can do to support high streets.

Suggested looking at incentives related to excess debt and changing institutions around corporations so that such situations don't repeat themselves.

Asked the Minister to understand why many employees would feel pension regulator should seek entire actuarial deficit from Sir Philip Green.

Encouraged the administrator to look forward, not back and ensured that administrator understood protecting pensions and jobs means finding a credible buyer for BHS group.

Asked Minister about rebalancing gender efforts in her Department's industrial strategies to ensure retail sector is not lost from high streets.

Believed BHS looking for a buyer and failing could indicate fundamental structural difficulties in the retail sector which needs addressing separately.

Expressed concern about BHS workers' jobs in her constituency and questioned the Insolvency Service's capability given the proposed cuts by the Chancellor.

Welcomed the Minister's comments on trade unions but asked for assurance that administrators will ensure the company complies with the law to protect employees' interests.

Asked whether the Bill Grimsey report supersedes Mary Portas’s recommendations and expressed scepticism over its findings, particularly regarding high street retail dependency.

Criticised the Government for not publishing a report on Comet's administration and suggested lessons could be drawn from that case to inform BHS' situation.

Asked about transparency in regulator investigations concerning pension reductions faced by employees and commented on the changing nature of retailing.