Question
Today the Tory party has shamefully said that it does not give two hoots about 12,000 workers, including dozens in my constituency. What is going on here is that the management of Poundland are very concerned that the owners of Poundland are looking to abuse the insolvency process to maximise their financial returns, not giving two hoots about 12,000 workers. Will the Minister confirm that the Government will do everything they can to ensure that Gordon Brothers will not act as a rogue owner by abusing the insolvency process?
Answer
As the hon. Member knows, the appointment of an administrator is a matter governed by the statutory insolvency process; it is not a decision for Government. However, I hope that he has heard my remarks today about our engagement with Gordon Brothers and Poundland for the sake of those 12,000 employees up and down the country and the many more employed by its suppliers. We want to do everything we can, and to make it clear that jobs are our absolute priority in this situation. They are so important for our high streets up and down the country, which is why this Government have taken the responsible action we have taken so far, and we will continue to do so.50% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (30/100)
The reply addresses the question only in part. It explains that appointing an administrator is a statutory matter rather than a Government decision, which sets out the limits of the Government's role. It does not clearly say whether the Government will act to prevent abuse of the insolvency process, and its assurances about protecting jobs do not answer that point. The person who asked would likely need to ask again for a specific commitment.
Verdict: AMBER (27/100)
The reply explains that appointing an administrator is a statutory matter rather than a Government decision, which gives a reason for not intervening at that stage. It does not say what the Government will do to stop the insolvency process being used to maximise returns at workers' expense. It mentions unspecified engagement with Gordon Brothers and Poundland and a general commitment to protecting jobs, but these are vague. The question is only partly covered and largely hedged, so the person who asked would likely need to ask again for specific commitments.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Government do everything it can to ensure that Gordon Brothers, as owner of Poundland, does not abuse the insolvency process to maximise its financial returns at the expense of workers. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply says the appointment of an administrator is a statutory matter and not a Government decision, which gives a reason for not intervening in that step. It also points to unspecified engagement with Gordon Brothers and Poundland and a general commitment to protecting jobs, but it never says what the Government will do to stop the insolvency process being used to maximise returns at workers' expense. |
| Will the Government confirm that it will do everything it can to ensure that Gordon Brothers does not abuse the insolvency process in its handling of Poundland. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply says the administrator appointment is a statutory matter and not a Government decision, which implicitly sets out the limits of Government's role. However, it never clearly confirms or declines a commitment to prevent abuse of the insolvency process. Its 'do everything we can' language is aimed at protecting jobs rather than at the abuse question, so the item is only partly answered. |