Mr Gagan Mohindra

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1. 2 Nov 2026·Parliament·Mr Gagan Mohindra

   Budget Resolutions

   I want to thank Nick Coombes from my office for his help on this speech. Unsurprisingly, I am disappointed by the Chancellor’s first Budget. From a new Administration who spent a by-election and leadership campaign claiming that they had all sorts of plans and ambitions to fix the economy after the previous Labour Administration constantly talked us down, we have a “do no harm” Budget that does decidedly little to help pensioners, fund our armed forces, support young people or back the businesses that are essential to creating jobs. The tax burden has continued to rise above record levels; inflation has not been at the 2% target since before the first Budget of this Labour Government; and the welfare bill is set to go up by another £60 billion—and neither the Prime Minister nor the Chancellor is willing to commit to reducing it in this Parliament. As the Leader of the House has said, we are now spending more on debt interest than on the Army and schools combined, which is clearly wrong, especially when we face some of the biggest and most rapidly evolving threats since the cold war. Yet the Chancellor, who resigned as Defence Secretary over the previous Administration’s refusal to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP, has delivered a Budget that has deferred the difficult choices necessary to keep our country safe until next year, in favour of the Prime Minister’s plan to prioritise social security over national security.<span id="668" class="column-number" data-column-number="668"></span> Young people are already struggling for support to get into education, employment or training. The increase in employer national insurance contributions, and now the further increase in the minimum wage, will make young people even more expensive for small businesses to hire, while pushing more and more workers into higher tax brackets. This was the Chancellor’s first opportunity to take bold steps to correct the errors of the previous Labour Budgets, and to provide support for businesses and entrepreneurs, which would have been a notable break from the massive tax hikes and regulatory burdens that have so far fallen on businesses under this Government. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor needed to use this opportunity to take drastic action to slash the size of the state, and to get Britain working again—to support those who are working, and to encourage into work those who are not working, but who are able to. My constituents are happy to support those in genuine need, but this Labour Government have come back every year for more money from the same hard-working people they promised not to raise taxes on to fund an ever-increasing welfare state. This “do no harm” Budget has led to the worsening of the OBR forecasts on inflation, economic growth, unemployment and living standards, and has left my constituents disappointed. I hope that the Prime Minister’s 10-year plan and the upcoming spending review have some much-needed good news and serious economic support for businesses and young people in South West Hertfordshire.

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2. 2 Nov 2026·Parliament·Mr Gagan Mohindra

   Houses in Multiple Occupation

   Earlier this year, Liberal Democrat-run Three Rivers district council put in a notice for an article 4 direction. However, it will not come into effect until June 2027, with the council citing financial concerns, despite repeated calls from me and local Conservative councillors to do it sooner and protect my residents from overcrowded and unwanted HMOs. What advice can the Minister <span id="565" class="column-number" data-column-number="565"></span>offer my residents, such as those who live in Muirfield Road in South Oxhey, who have already been affected by this issue?

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3. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Mr Gagan Mohindra

   Local Government Reorganisation

   Like others in this House, I think it is fair to say that this whole process has been a shambles. Like many in the House, I come from a local government background, and I feel sorry for my councillors, my council and my residents for what they are having to go through. Having said that, the previous decision for Hertfordshire was wrong, so I appreciate that the Minister has taken the opportunity to reassess what Hertfordshire will do. Given that my community is a collection of small towns and villages, and we do not have a mayoralty, how will he ensure that my community is properly represented, whatever the outcome for Hertfordshire?

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4. 26 Oct 2026·Parliament·Mr Gagan Mohindra

   Civil Service Pensions

   I thank the Minister for her statement. Elizabeth from Carpenders Park served as a Ministry of Justice usher for 23 years before retiring in January. Months later, she has still not received a single pension payment. That is despite spending more than two hours sitting in queues on the phone while simultaneously being prevented from using the pensions portal due to the high volume of inquiries. I am conscious that the Minister is encouraging casework to be brought to her via her good offices, but I am mindful that there will be a lot of casework across the House. What effort is she putting forward so that both Capita and the Cabinet Office increase capacity to deal with the backlog, as well as new cases?

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5. 20 Oct 2026·Parliament·Mr Gagan Mohindra

   Radiotherapy Satellite Units

   Badly!

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6. 20 Oct 2026·Parliament·Mr Gagan Mohindra

   Topical Questions

   Under the last Conservative Government, upwards of £300 million, which would have been lifesaving as well as life-changing for many of my constituents, was earmarked for the new Watford general hospital. The lack of those funds, combined with the closure of the urgent care centre at Mount Vernon hospital, means that many of my constituents are not now receiving the first-class healthcare that they would reasonably expect. What assurances can the Minister give local residents?

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7. 14 Oct 2026·Parliament·Mr Gagan Mohindra

   Inheritance Tax

   Every day, millions of hard-working people work, earn and contribute to our economy with the principal goal of providing for their children, both in the present and in the future. For many, these jobs are much more than a payslip. They are the pillars that allow a family to function, grow and thrive. As a former family business owner, I know just how valuable such opportunities can be. Today’s debate is important not simply because it is about business, but because it is about protecting opportunity. It is about ensuring that the next generation has the chance to develop the skills, confidence and experience that will shape the rest of their lives and careers. I spent my summer on my annual work experience tour in South West Hertfordshire, visiting local businesses to volunteer my time and understand how they operate, and to learn about the challenges they face. In Kings Langley, I went to Wayside farm to shadow Charlie, who has been running the farm for over 30 years. It is one of only two dairy farms remaining in Hertfordshire. I pulled pints behind the bar of the Unicorn in Abbots Langley, run by Debbie and Ady. Debbie started as an employee, learning all about the pub before taking over. This is exactly the sort of entrepreneurship we should be encouraging. I visited Unit VII in Rickmansworth, an artisan coffee shop owned by married couple Raman and Zarina, who also host community-focused events for my residents. Finally, I visited a car parts store in Kings Langley, a family-owned business that has grown so successfully that it has opened more stores and employed people across the country, helping the local economy in my constituency and, I am sure, in those of many other MPs in this Chamber. All those businesses repeated the same message: Labour’s harmful policies of increasing national insurance contributions, strict rules and regulations, and soaring energy costs mean that these small, independent businesses are now having to make difficult decisions about hiring and opening hours, when they should be supported and encouraged to grow their businesses. Labour has also reduced opportunities for young people to get their foot on the career ladder. Hospitality businesses in particular, which have historically relied on seasonal work and training young people up, can no longer afford to do so, meaning that our young people are going without the opportunities that should shape the rest of their lives. Growth happens when family businesses have the confidence to invest, expand and create jobs. That is why this Government must work with businesses, not <span id="457" class="column-number" data-column-number="457"></span>against them, and it is why the Conservatives would abolish the high rates of inheritance tax on the farms, homes and businesses that support economic growth and local communities. We would abolish business rates for thousands of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, cut the red tape that prevents employers from recruiting young people, and introduce our cheap power plan, which would cut electricity bills by 20% for businesses. In conclusion, this debate is ultimately about opportunity. My residents should not work hard to provide for their children’s future, only to have that investment taken away to pay for an ever-increasing welfare bill. Every family business is a testament to community, to innovation and to shared prosperity, and these opportunities are worth protecting. I am incredibly proud of all the family-run businesses I have in South West Hertfordshire. I urge the Government to recognise the damage that they are doing to these family businesses, and to work tirelessly to ensure that my residents are not punished for a life of hard work.

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8. 10 Sep 2026·Parliament·Mr Gagan Mohindra

   Civil Service Pension Scheme

   Despite dedicating their lives to public service through long careers in the civil service, many of my constituents have faced severe delays with their pension payments, causing them anxiety and financial hardship. How will the Minister ensure that her Department gives my constituents the support they need, that this crisis is resolved and, just as importantly, that it does not happen again?

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9. 9 Sep 2026·Parliament·Mr Gagan Mohindra

   Pharmacies: Government Funding

   It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester East (Shivani Raja) on securing such an important debate. Supporting our pharmacies is one of my long-standing commitments; I have spoken about the issue many times in the Chamber. Pharmacies are at the heart of primary care, and I am grateful for the contribution they make to our community—dispensing medicines, delivering vaccinations, offering advice for minor conditions and providing clinical services that would otherwise need to be delivered elsewhere. Pharmacies are accessible and embedded in our high streets. For millions, they are the front door to the NHS. I have had the pleasure of speaking to pharmacists from across my South West Hertfordshire constituency, visiting Abbey pharmacy in Abbots Langley, Boots in Kings Langley and Esom pharmacy in South Oxhey, and even undertaking work experience at Riverside pharmacy in Rickmansworth. As I have said in Parliament before, my discussions have made it clear that our pharmacies are under unsustainable pressure as a result of the Labour Government’s continued attack on retail businesses. I welcome the commitment in the Government’s 10-year health plan to move more healthcare responsibilities from hospitals into our communities, but that is not feasible unless pharmacies receive the necessary financial support. It is important to note that community pharmacies have not been exempted from any of the Government’s harmful economic policies against retail businesses. Since the Government’s announcements at the autumn 2024 Budget, their employer national insurance contributions and national living wage have increased, and their rate of business rates relief has reduced. Pharmacies now face significantly higher operating costs.

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10. 9 Sep 2026·Parliament·Mr Gagan Mohindra

    Pharmacies: Government Funding

    I am very conscious that I have a former Chancellor and Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Northallerton (Rishi Sunak), sitting to my left; he might argue for keeping it simple. I would argue that a pharmacy’s <span id="382WH" class="column-number" data-column-number="382WH"></span>primary business is healthcare related, and that either we support our healthcare system or we do not. Doing it piecemeal is not in the best interests of what some of my residents regard as the frontline of the NHS system. In the past 12 months alone, more than 600 neighbourhood pharmacies have closed. That looks set to worsen, because business rates relief for retail businesses has been removed for this financial year—a significant shift from the 75% business rates relief afforded to retail businesses in 2024 under the previous Conservative Government. Although GP practices can have their business rates reimbursed by the NHS, and NHS dental practices can also qualify for reimbursement, community pharmacies receive no equivalent compensation, despite providing NHS services every day, as has been mentioned. How is this fair or reasonable at a time when the Government are shifting more responsibility to the sector? I have also been in contact with Community Pharmacy Hertfordshire. Although the 2026-27 community pharmacy contract provides additional investment in community pharmacies, it still falls short of what is needed to put the framework on a sustainable financial footing. Research conducted by the Independent Pharmacies Association, which has done a brilliant campaign on this matter, shows that an average pharmacy dispensing 10,000 items a month still faces a shortfall of £56,000 against what would be needed to keep pace with inflation—a very stretched financial situation. When I met with the previous Minister for Care, the right hon. Member for Aberafan Maesteg (Stephen Kinnock), earlier this year, I was disappointed that he could not outline clear steps as to how that situation could be alleviated. Without a sustainable, longer-term funding settlement, more pharmacies risk closing at the same time as the NHS is asking the sector to do more. It is also disappointing that the Government have delayed Pharmacy First payments. Under the previous Conservative Government, the Pharmacy First initiative was introduced to allow community pharmacies to support patients with common conditions, reducing the pressure faced by our GPs. Now, many pharmacies I speak to have said they are struggling to deliver this service as a result of the Government’s withholding of funding. The impact of pharmacies in delivering primary care should not be underestimated. Shifting more flu vaccinations into pharmacies could free up around 4.5 million GP appointments each year. In conclusion, pharmacies are accessible and already have the infrastructure and clinical expertise to provide more care closer to home. However, patients will benefit from an expanded role for community pharmacies if their pharmacy stays open. Currently, with unsustainable operating costs and limited Government funding, that has become increasingly difficult. Without the financial support to deliver these services, many pharmacies risk closing. If the Government want to shift care from hospitals into communities, the funding must follow.

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