Victoria Collins

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1. 3 Nov 2026·Parliament·Victoria Collins

   Budget Resolutions

   Britain needed a much bolder Budget for growth—one for families and businesses, and to boost our economy. For families, heating—or even cooling—our homes, getting around and feeding the family are all costs that continue to rise. The energy price cap is set to rise again in January, and 1.4 million low-income households in higher council tax bands will miss out under this Budget. However, our Lib Dem essential energy guarantee would take £100 off the average bill for everyone, paid for by clawing back excess profits made by monopoly energy operators. We would also cut rail fares by 10%, bus fares to £1 and fuel duty by 10p, paid for by the Treasury’s fuel price windfall. For most businesses, rent, rates, energy and hiring costs are going up. At DJ’s Play Zone in my local area, Mark says that his rates bill has gone up by 52%, from £21,000 to £32,000 a year, on top of the national insurance jobs tax and rising wages. He is running a small business in a big building, so small business relief never reaches him. The Chancellor’s new £18,000 threshold changes nothing for him and many other businesses that slip under the net.

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2. 3 Nov 2026·Parliament·Victoria Collins

   Budget Resolutions

   Absolutely. That is why we need wholesale reform, looking at how we are supporting the businesses that need it and at the broken business rates system. Charlotte from Berkhamsted Bookshop tells me that the average independent bookshop will need to sell over 1,000 more books a year just to cover rising costs. Christopher, who runs a small martial arts academy in Tring, tells me that rising rent and service charges threaten his future, with almost no protection for small commercial tenants. Liberal Democrats have repeatedly called for more to be done to help our local businesses, including replacing business rates with a commercial landowner levy and cutting VAT on hospitality by 5p.

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3. 3 Nov 2026·Parliament·Victoria Collins

   Budget Resolutions

   I could not have put it better myself. On top of that there is the cost of hiring, as has been mentioned again and again. The Government have to tackle that for businesses. If we truly want fresh hope for the future and for our wider economy, we need bold action. Supporting our entrepreneurs is key, and as Lib Dems who have pushed for a type of young entrepreneurs allowance for almost a decade, we are pleased to see that proposal and look forward to hearing more details. I would also push the Government to look at further work to support start-ups and scale-ups, including reviewing the seed enterprise investment scheme, tax on SEIS, tax credits and relief so that they work for businesses. As for the founders’ relief, I ask the Government to work with the industry to ensure that it works. One founder said to me that they felt that if they stood on one leg and turned around enough times they might just about get close to getting some of it. On incentivising innovation, the Government must take spin-outs from our world-leading universities across the UK more seriously. We are calling for the Government to quintuple proof-of-concept funding, create regional innovation centres and introduce standardised frameworks for negotiating intellectual property across the sector. As regards innovative spending, the extra £120 million for the Sovereign AI fund pales in comparison to the nearly £8 billion of active contracts with US tech giants or the billions spent on procurement. We call for a proper digital sovereign strategy to back our British businesses and to look at increasing research and development spending, so that we do not have to make decisions over Jodrell Bank, for example, and how that is impacting innovation. Finally, we need a bold plan on Europe. We are calling for a growth and defence partnership with Europe, rejoining the single market and customs union. Not only can we cut taxes for families with that growth dividend, but inject real growth into our economy for families, businesses and our future.

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4. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Victoria Collins

   Topical Questions

   <Question HRSContentId="{1D4F1DD2-4649-4AC4-8B3F-8A40D23FA2A2}">T3. <QuestionText HRSContentId="{64814DA4-AD9D-42D4-97CB-0BDDDFEE8848}"></QuestionText>Harpenden Thameslink services are facing Luton airport expansion, the Bedford Universal studios development and 9,000 more houses coming down the line from this Government, following a local plan. All the while, passengers such as Emma are facing expensive, cramped and unreliable services. What are the Government doing to improve capacity, services and pricing?</Question>

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5. 29 Oct 2026·Parliament·Victoria Collins

   Business of the House

   I declare an interest as a patron of the Hospice of St Francis. The assisted dying debate provided much-needed focus and cross-party commitment to improving palliative care so that all those in need can get support and solace, just like Judith’s husband, John, found at the Hospice of St Francis. Will the Leader of the House join me first in thanking the charities and volunteers who drive hospice care, and in ensuring that we keep up that momentum by securing a debate on palliative care to consider the four-point plan from Hospice UK and secure the future and funding of hospice care?

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6. 28 Oct 2026·Parliament·Victoria Collins

   National Scheme of Delegation of Planning Functions

   It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Lewell. I congratulate the right hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Wendy Morton) on securing this important debate. Moira from Tring asked me: “How we can take back our democracy which is being eroded at a shocking rate?”— and, yes, she is talking about planning and about this change. She had read that these planning decisions are being taken from the councillors she has elected. She is absolutely right. First, we had the Conservative Government with their top-down targets, and now we have this Labour Government, who just keep taking power away from local councils and therefore communities. There have been continual changes to the national planning policy framework, with more than 3,000 drafting changes, all taking power away. The introduction of grey belt has effectively opened our green belt to developers. Ever higher top-down targets mean that, after St Albans had adopted a housing plan, the Government are adding 9,000 more houses. For Dacorum, on the other side of my constituency, there are another 6,000, again after a local plan had just been secured. That is all while we are facing Luton airport expansion and Bedford Universal Studios, which impact infrastructure for local people. And now, from Saturday, this latest regulation means officers must decide householder applications and schemes of up to nine homes. Ward, town and parish councillors will lose the right to call those applications in, as has been reiterated across the Chamber today. The hon. Member for Hamble Valley (Paul Holmes) eloquently highlighted that the scale and nature of planning applications does not necessarily imply they are not controversial or important; even small things have a massive impact on our communities. Just because they are within scope, that does not mean they do not deserve to be looked at more closely by a committee of democratically elected councillors. Lib Dem councillors from Dacorum and St Albans are horrified and share Moira’s concerns that their hands will be tied by this regulation and legal challenge, thanks to the Government. In the light of that, Liberal Democrat Dacorum borough council has voted to hold an extra meeting of its development management committee, so that as many called-in applications as possible can be heard before the changes take effect. However, that is no way to run our country or local councils. What is really needed are long-term changes to planning law that support the voices of local communities, whether Tring, Redbourn, Berkhamsted or Sandridge. All that communities want is to get planning right for the places where they live and to raise legitimate concerns about their everyday lives. They know that we need to build, and they want a say in the homes, buildings and infrastructure that will impact their lives. As my hon. Friend the Member for Didcot and Wantage (Olly Glover) highlighted—the right hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills raised this too—Ministers have given the excuse that this change will speed up house <span id="210WH" class="column-number" data-column-number="210WH"></span>building. In fact, a survey of 62 councils found that more than 200,000 homes with planning permission still have not started, so committees are not the bottleneck. If the Government truly believe in power in every postcode, and if they are going to walk the walk instead of just talk the talk, people will feel it in their planning. That is so vital. Will the Minister and the Government therefore stop taking powers from local communities and give them back the powers to get their homes and infrastructure right? Will they restore call-in powers for ward, town and parish councillors, and tackle the real problem of unbuilt homes with “use it or lose it” planning permission? Will they also look at wider reforms to bring our communities with us?

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7. 26 Oct 2026·Parliament·Victoria Collins

   Prostate Cancer Screening

   It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Murrison. I appreciate this important debate, because for me this issue is personal. Last Christmas was particularly difficult for us as a family, because my dad had a looming prostate cancer diagnosis. He had been participating in the trial screening programme over the last 15 years, and although that is not always easy—other Members have alluded to how difficult it is—once confirmed, his early diagnosis meant that they caught it and it can be managed. Thankfully, dad is doing well. One of my constituents, Michael from Harpenden, wrote to me ahead of today’s debate. Although he had no symptoms, he was encouraged to ask his GP for a full blood test, which found early stage prostate cancer. He tells me that under the new screening rules, he would not have been diagnosed. He calls himself one of the lucky ones, but no man’s survival should come down to luck. As has been highlighted, prostate cancer is now one of the UK’s most common cancers, and I applaud the survivors, bereaved families and campaigners who have secured a screening programme, but that will only reach about 1,500 men, leaving out many black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, so it must be just a first step. There are still too many men outside the programme, so I ask the Minister: learning from the <span id="9WH" class="column-number" data-column-number="9WH"></span>stories of my dad, Michael and so many more, how do we ensure that those who need it get the screening they deserve? How can we learn from trial programmes and use new technology to make sure that it is a better screening programme for everyone involved? Will the Government urgently guarantee delivery of the targeted programme across the country and build the infrastructure to broaden screening at every possible level where it is needed? Will they look at writing into law that every cancer patient starts treatment within 62 days? Every man deserves the chance that my dad and Michael had.

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8. 26 Oct 2026·Parliament·Victoria Collins

   Performance of Royal Mail

   I thank the hon. Members for Redditch (Chris Bloore) and for Lichfield (Dave Robertson) for securing this very important debate. As has been highlighted, the post is not a nostalgic luxury. For millions of people it is how the hospital tells them when their appointment is, how the banks send their statements, and how they find out about their benefits. People need to know that their post will arrive on time so that they can go about their lives. As the hon. Member for Calder Valley (Josh Fenton-Glynn) eloquently put it, it is also about that human connection in a world where we feel disconnected. I am sure that many Members know the impact of a handwritten note, especially to constituents who are having a difficult time or facing difficult issues. It really does make a difference. We also know, as so many Members have highlighted, that the posties are working hard to get us our post, but Royal Mail is letting them down. I have so many incredible posties, but I would like to give a special shout out to postman Paul. Members would not be surprised to think that Postman Pat had jumped out of the TV and arrived in Tring with Jess the cat in tow, because Paul delivers not only letters and parcels but joy to residents and visitors alike—a special thank you to him. In Harpenden and Berkhamsted, I have Gordon and Evina from Jersey Farm who told me that they had gone 10 days without a single letter—so many Members have highlighted this—and then their postwoman arrived with a bundle of 12 or 13. Among them was an invite to my local surgery which—just as the hon. Member for North Somerset (Sadik Al-Hassan) highlighted—had already happened. They had already complained about the postal service. They raised the issue with me too and I continue to raise it, but the problem has not been fixed. It clearly goes on. Another constituent in Jersey Farm, Irene, had no post for seven days and then 35 items in one go, including a new debit card. She also had to face severe delays in receiving a letter relating to a recent hospital appointment on how to take certain medicines. When people such as Irene and her husband rely on letters about regular medical appointments, there cannot afford to be delays. A constituent in Sandridge said that they are lucky to get one delivery a week—the House has highlighted that, unfortunately, that is quite a good delivery service—and that should not be happening in 2026. Those are not isolated stories. They are happening up and down the country. Citizens Advice found that over Christmas 16 million people had letters delayed. I cannot remember which Member it was who asked at which Christmas this issue would get sorted out, but it is a very good question. We have 5.7 million people who have suffered serious consequences, including missed health appointments, fines and benefit decisions. A third of people who use Royal Mail recognised exactly what <span id="128" class="column-number" data-column-number="128"></span>Gordon and Evina described: no post for several weeks and then five or more letters landing at once. The sorry saga of Royal Mail delays has been going on for far too long and people are rightly furious. Royal Mail is simply not delivering the service it is required to provide. It has missed both its first and second-class targets every year since 2021-22. Last year, just 75.7% of first-class letters arrived the next day, against a target of 93%. The regulator has not got a grip. As the Business and Trade Committee put it: “Ofcom is failing as the statutory regulator of the postal service”. It could not even tell Parliament how many letters were arriving late. Instead of holding Royal Mail to account, Ofcom lowered the bar. It cut second-class deliveries to alternate weekdays and relaxed the targets. The Liberal Democrats warned at the time that this was letting Royal Mail off the hook. In the first three months, Royal Mail missed even those lower targets. It now says it will not meet them until April 2027. Somehow, people are paying more for less. A first-class stamp now costs £1.80. In 2022, it was 95p. That is seven price rises in four years for a service that keeps getting worse. Many have highlighted that parcels are getting delivered but I would also highlight, as someone who ran an online business and whose mother had an online business, that products are also sent in letters. Something that has not been touched on much is the impact this situation is having on small businesses. I know this from first-hand experience. The cost is extortionate and with small margins it is killing a lot of businesses. The terrible service is also killing small businesses, when they have to compete with online services such as Amazon. This is a key service for people and businesses, and they do not need excuses; they need action. Will the Minister commit herself tonight to consulting on new powers and teeth for Ofcom? Will she ask Royal Mail to publish performance levels for every delivery office, so that residents such as those in Jersey Farm and the many others mentioned by Members can judge for themselves? We must hold Royal Mail’s owners to their promises and fix the frontline. The Government say that they have secured legally binding commitments from EP Group to invest enough to deliver the universal service. When the Minister does meet Royal Mail, will she put the failing delivery officers at the top of the agenda, ensure that the agreements with postal workers are kept, and report back to the House with a timetable? When post does not arrive, people miss appointments, pay fines that they never knew about, and lose faith that anything works. Christmas, Royal Mail’s busiest time of the year, is only weeks away, so this must be sorted out before then—but we all know that it will not be, and we will keep standing up for residents until it is. Let me again thank all our wonderful posties who will be working so hard to deliver. We must ensure that Royal Mail does not let them or our local residents down.

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9. 21 Oct 2026·Parliament·Victoria Collins

   Housing Costs: Government Support

   I thank my hon. Friend so much for securing this debate. I have the example of Annette, who is in her 70s and cares for her son. She has been forced to move twice when landlords have sold up, and she fears that she cannot afford the next rise. My hon. Friend talks about the costs. Citizens Advice locally highlights the fact that the frozen local housing allowance is now 20% to 25% lower than local rents, and record levels of people are at risk of homelessness. Does he agree that that reiterates the case? The Government must look at unfreezing local housing allowance and linking it to local rent?

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10. 21 Oct 2026·Parliament·Victoria Collins

    Community Policing: Government Support

    I thank my hon. Friend for securing the debate. My area also supposedly has a low level of crime, but residents in Tring talk about antisocial behaviour, residents in Harpenden have taken up private security, and Anna from Berkhamsted says she has not seen a police officer for years. My hon. Friend mentioned that online crime and community policing go hand in hand. Does she agree that one way of tackling this is by looking at it holistically and having a proper online crime agency, funded by big tech, so that we can then properly fund and resource community policing?

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