Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Inflation

Tuesday 27 January 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Lincoln Jopp visited Primark in Staines and noted concerns from the British Retail Consortium about the Chancellor's jobs tax.
  • The Minister responded by highlighting actions taken to address low-value imports, actions welcomed by Primark.
  • Tom Hayes questioned the Minister about Bournemouth's economic growth, mentioning investments by J.P. Morgan Chase and AFC Bournemouth.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Economy Employment Business & Trade
Context

The British Retail Consortium has warned that the Chancellor's jobs tax is pushing up prices and raising the cost of living, and that the Employment Rights Bill will also be inflationary.

Question

On Friday, I visited Primark in Staines, where the team, led by Luke, is doing a fantastic job in creating a vibrant retail experience. However, the British Retail Consortium has said that the Chancellor’s jobs tax is pushing up prices and raising the cost of living, and that the Employment Rights Bill will also be inflationary. When did the Chancellor stop listening to business?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

I was at Primark just ahead of the Budget, where we announced that we were going to take action on low-value imports. That was welcomed by Primark and many other retailers who are undercut by foreign importers that do not pay customs duty on what they bring into the country. Far from working against business, we are working in conjunction with business to grow our economy. Our economy exceeded expectations for growth last year, and I am confident that it will do the same this year too.

Partly answered

Not addressed: When did the Chancellor stop listening to business?

How: Working In Conjunction With Business, Welcomed By Primark

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Q2 Tom Hayes Lab Bournemouth East
Economy Transport Business & Trade
Context

J. P. Morgan Chase has announced a £350 million expansion in Bournemouth, AFC Bournemouth plans a £100 million expansion, the airport is getting a £50 million upgrade, £26 million will be invested in Bournemouth and Poole College, £500 million is provided for the Royal Bournemouth Hospital development, and new land at Wessex Fields to build key worker housing and medical research facilities.

Question

The Conservatives may want to talk down Britain, but Bournemouth is building again, with a £350 million expansion at J. P. Morgan Chase following the Chancellor’s visit, a £100 million expansion planned by AFC Bournemouth, a £50 million airport upgrade, £26 million invested in Bournemouth and Poole College, £500 million provided for the Royal Bournemouth hospital development, and new land at Wessex Fields to build key worker housing and medical research facilities. Will the Chancellor continue to prioritise stability, bringing down costs, and the free trade that we need in our world, so that we can continue to protect and expand these investments into Bournemouth?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. He did not mention the beautiful Bournemouth pier, which we visited together in August and where we enjoyed a very nice ice cream, but he did mention J.P. Morgan, which has announced record investment in its Bournemouth campus. It is employing a shedload of apprentices on that campus, helping it to grow its business, and after this year’s Budget, J. P. Morgan has announced a new building in Canary Wharf.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will the Chancellor continue to prioritise stability, bringing down costs, and the free trade that we need in our world?

How: Shedload Of Apprentices, New Building In Canary Wharf

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