argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: UK Response — House of Lords, 2022-02-09
Topic: International Affairs
Andrew Sharpe (Conservative, Centre-right): My Lords, with the leave of the House, I shall now repeat in the form of a Statement an Answer given to an Urgent Question in another place. The Statement is as follows: "The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains deeply concerning. In January, the UN requested nearly $4.5 billion for 2022—the largest humanitarian appeal on record. The UN has announced that it will be holding an international pledging conference on 31 March, and the UK is strongly supportive of that conference. On 28 January 2022, the Foreign Secretary announced £97 million of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan from the UK. This latest allocation of vital support delivers the Prime Minister’s promise to double the aid to Afghanistan to £286 million. By the end of January 2022, we had disbursed over £176 million in aid and will disburse the remainder by the end of this financial year—that is, the end of March UK aid allocated since October is supporting over 60 hospitals, providing health services for more than 300,000 people, ensuring that 4.47 million people get emergency food assistance through the World Food Programme, and will provide 6.1 million people with emergency health, water, protection, shelter and food, through the UN Afghanistan humanitarian fund In addition to providing immediate assistance, we are playing a leading role in international efforts to address multiple causes of the crisis. The provision of basic services such as health and education remains critical. We continue to explore solutions for service delivery such as payment of front-line delivery workers. We are working closely and monitoring Afghanistan’s economy, specifically its lack of liquidity, and we are working with partners to seek solutions. The UK also played a key role pressing for a resolution establishing a humanitarian exemption under the UN Afghanistan sanctions regime. On 27 January, the UK Government laid legislation to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2615. That will save lives and reduce the impediments faced by humanitarian agencies."
Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: UK Response — House of Lords, 2022-02-09
Topic: International Affairs
Andrew Sharpe (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the noble Lord for his important question. As I said, we are strongly supportive of the announcement of the international pledging conference that is being organised by the UN. It is worth repeating that the $4.4 billion represents the largest humanitarian appeal on record. We have already announced a substantial donation and the noble Lord is quite right that showing a strong lead is important. More details will be announced soon It might also be helpful if I explain some of the other areas where the UK has taken a strong lead. We have played a lead role on releasing funds held with the World Bank’s Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund and in December £280 million was transferred out to support food security and healthcare. We continue to work with partners and the World Bank to release the remaining $1.2 billion as quickly as possible The UK supported the Asian Development Bank’s $405 million package of support and that money will be used for public health services, primary and secondary education and the provision of emergency food services. As I mentioned, the UK aid allocated since October is supporting over 60 hospitals, providing health services for 300,000 people and ensuring that 4.47 million people will get emergency food assistance through the World Food Programme.
Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: UK Response — House of Lords, 2022-02-09
Topic: International Affairs
Andrew Sharpe (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the noble Lord for his question—actually, it was more than one. I think I said at the start that the £286 million will be disbursed by the end of the financial year. It might help if I outlined some of the partners and aid programmes that we have donated to, and the amounts. We have donated to various partners in Afghanistan £172 million—or, I should say, it has been allocated. The Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund has received £61 million; the World Food Programme £54 million; the International Organisation for Migration £17 million; and UNICEF £50 million. I am afraid I do not know the answer to the question about future funding Discussions and engagement with the Taliban are ongoing but, of course, difficult. Most recently, we have engaged with them in Oslo. Ongoing efforts are being made through the chargé d’affaires in Doha. I cannot comment beyond that at this point.
Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: UK Response — House of Lords, 2022-02-09
Topic: International Affairs
Andrew Sharpe (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the noble Baroness for her question. I cannot answer the question about how food is sourced; that is well beyond my remit. But I can say that we are supporting life-saving humanitarian assistance through the UN and other trusted organisations. They continue to ensure that vital aid reaches those who need it most. All UK aid is subject to strict monitoring and verification to ensure that it is used to help only the vulnerable people it is intended for I spoke to my noble friend Lord Ahmad this morning and I am sure that Members of this House will pay tribute to what we all know are his tireless efforts on this subject. He has reassured me today that key partners report that aid is getting through, but we have to remain vigilant I have mentioned the economy already. The FCDO is closely monitoring the lack of liquidity in the country. The UK is playing a leading role in the international efforts to address that lack of liquidity and the multiple causes of the crisis, including working with the World Bank and UN to find solutions that will allow NGOs to access the country.
Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: UK Response — House of Lords, 2022-02-09
Topic: International Affairs
Andrew Sharpe (Conservative, Centre-right): I can certainly try, and I am sure many noble Lords, like me, received a rather harrowing email on the subject of a particular individual who is currently stuck in Pakistan. In case anybody is interested, that email has gone into the Foreign Office and the case is being looked at now by the task force We have engaged with Governments in the region, notably Pakistan and central Asia, to allow Afghan nationals to cross their borders from Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds. More than 3,400 people have left in order to move to third countries and then to the UK since the end of Operation Pitting. To date, the UK Government have been allocating money to those regions, so £17 million has gone to support countries and £10 million has gone to support preparedness in the region and to help mitigate widespread humanitarian disaster. That includes £3 million to Iran, £4 million to Pakistan and £2 to Tajikistan.
Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: UK Response — House of Lords, 2022-02-09
Topic: International Affairs
Patrick Cormack (Conservative, Centre-right): My Lords, we are partly responsible for this, with the scuttle in August. Can something not be done to bring forward the date of 31 March? Can we not summon colleagues, allies and friends to do something much more quickly? In six weeks, thousands of people will be dead and the devastation will be worse.
Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: UK Response — House of Lords, 2022-02-09
Topic: International Affairs
Andrew Sharpe (Conservative, Centre-right): I think my noble friend is following on from the question from the noble Lord, Lord Collins. Of course, I agree. In a perfect world it would be nice to do that—but I cannot account for UN’s timetable, I am sorry.
Ukraine — House of Lords, 2022-02-25
Topic: International Affairs
Patricia Elizabeth Rawlings (Conservative, Centre-right): My Lords, many years ago Zbig Brzezinski said that "without Ukraine, Russia ceases to be an empire, but with Ukraine suborned and then subordinated, Russia automatically becomes an empire." Since Peter the Great, Russia has craved to be part of Europe; it cannot be without Ukraine. President Zelensky said that "in today’s world, where we live, there is no longer someone else’s war. None of you can feel safe … a war in Ukraine … is a war in Europe." As my friend, the noble Lord, Lord Robertson, explained so clearly, President Putin’s real fear is the encroachment of democracy on Russian borders My few words today concern Bulgaria, a democratic country that I have been interested in and involved with since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The unintended consequences and the present dilemma we face are what I fear. The aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has far-reaching geopolitical consequences. It is also a provocation against the democratic countries on the eastern flank of NATO, and most importantly against countries that are less talked about but at the same time, as it may well turn out, more vulnerable to Russian provocations than those to which at present we usually give priority Only a few days ago, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov flagrantly questioned Bulgaria and Romania’s membership of NATO, thus putting in question the free choice of the citizens of these two NATO countries, which have long been our democratic allies. Worryingly, military activities are today being conducted closer and closer to Bulgaria and Romania It is a fact that in the very first hours of the Russian aggression, most of the victims fell around the city of Odessa, to the south of which live 300,000 members of a Bulgarian minority closely related to Bulgaria. Any moment now, we could expect a huge humanitarian crisis and serious waves of refugees that could make our Bulgarian allies face even greater challenges. I applaud my noble friend Lord Cormack’s speech regarding the importance of the BBC World Service, since it was always a lifeline for Bulgaria before the wall came down It is for this reason that I call for a categorical and uttermost expression of our solidarity and support for the countries on the south edge of the eastern flank of NATO. It is tragic that the West has allowed Russia to behave in this historically barbaric way in our modern times. I urge the Minister, before it is too late, to make certain that Bulgaria, a faithful NATO ally ever since she shed her Soviet yoke, is not forgotten.
Ukraine — House of Lords, 2022-02-25
Topic: International Affairs
David Trefgarne (Conservative, Centre-right): My Lords, I of course share the views already expressed on the appalling nature of the events that have taken place in eastern Europe and, in particular, in Ukraine Exactly 40 years ago this year, the Argentinians invaded and briefly occupied the Falkland Islands. The response of the United Kingdom, in accordance with Resolution 503 of the Security Council—which, incidentally, the Russians did not veto—and, above all, the views and wishes of the Falkland islanders, was to recover the islands militarily. This was achieved after a brief Argentinian occupation. The view of the Falkland islanders is known to remain unchanged. However, recent remarks from some Argentinian sources suggest that the islands are once more at risk. To make matters worse, the Chinese authorities have recently made a public statement supporting the Argentinians in this matter. Against this background, the Argentinians perhaps imagine that Her Majesty’s Government are presently distracted by other matters—those we are debating today—and might therefore choose this moment to launch a new attack on the Falkland Islands while Her Majesty’s Government are looking the other way, so to speak I therefore ask the Minister, when he comes to respond, to confirm that the Government are aware of recent Argentinian remarks and statements, and that he can confirm that our policy concerning the Falkland Islands remains unchanged. Thus, exactly as in 1982, the views and wishes of the Falkland islanders will be paramount I apologise for this brief digression from the main subject of our debate. I of course share the view of Her Majesty’s Government with regard to Ukraine. However, we cannot ignore threats elsewhere in the world.
Ukraine: Urgent Refugee Applications — House of Lords, 2022-03-09
Topic: Energy
Susan Williams (Conservative, Centre-right): Well, I hope I can help the right reverend Prelate in saying that we are surging capacity and capability in the VACs. It is not acceptable if people are being told that they have to wait until the end of April. I certainly hope that, when I next return to this House with an update, it will be a far more positive picture.
Ukraine: Urgent Refugee Applications — House of Lords, 2022-03-09
Topic: International Affairs
Susan Williams (Conservative, Centre-right): I think that what the noble Lord has done is outline how the people of Ukraine would actually like to get back to Ukraine. His suggestion about small charities that are able to help, whether here or in Romania, is really sensible. In terms of the numbers crossing into Romania, I cannot verify those figures, but I am absolutely sure that it must be a very high number indeed. On the subject of the morning briefings, he must be able to lip-read, because my noble friend Lord Ahmad and I were in fact talking about that just before we stood up.
Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill [HL] — House of Lords, 2022-03-09
Topic: Labor
Rosalind Altmann (Conservative, Centre-right): My Lords, I will address both amendments from the noble Lord, Lord Davies, with whom I so often wholly agree on pension matters; but I am afraid that, in these instances, I find myself in disagreement As regards Amendment 48, I would like to make it clear that I support both the amendments that were passed in the Commons. I also believe that public sector workers deserve good pensions. They have good pensions. This stems from the changes that were made in the Hutton review in 2011. I confess that I was astonished at the time that a 25-year settlement seemed to have been agreed in the context of defined benefit pensions, for which costs can change so dramatically in that kind of timeframe. Indeed, employers have found that the costs have significantly increased In 2010 or so, the cost of providing a standard public sector pension would have been, perhaps, between 30% and 40% of salary. Subsequent to that, the costs have risen to at least 40% to 50% of salary, if not more than that. So, in effect, there has been a significant pay increase—albeit in deferred pay—for local government workers and public sector workers in general The 2016 valuation, based on various assumptions, also does not necessarily mean that the costs at the time would be the ones that are experienced today. Were a valuation to be conducted, say, three years later, four years later or five years later, there would be a significant increase in cost, but by relying wholly on the 2016 valuation and not factoring in the judgments of the courts in terms of the transitional protections agreed, it would appear that the workforce should have increased pension offers, which would subsequently need to be potentially reversed under this economic test Part of the problem stems from the expectation—which is wholly unrealistic—that there can be a 25-year guarantee for the kind of defined benefit pensions that are underwritten by taxpayers. That is also an important consideration because local government pension schemes do not belong to the Pension Protection Fund. The benefits promised to the workforce are underwritten by what are called employers, but they are actually taxpayers across the whole country, whether it is council tax payers or ultimately general taxpayers. Given the fiscal situation that we are currently in, and given the changes in the fiscal situation that can accrue, I believe that there is clearly a government interest and a taxpayer interest in the delivery of the benefits of these schemes. It is not just individuals’ money; it belongs to all of us, because we underwrite the full value of all public sector pensions, including the LGPS—which is not, as I say, part of the Pension Protection Fund, so there is no other underwriting available.
Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill [HL] — House of Lords, 2022-03-09
Topic: International Affairs
Stuart Polak (Conservative, Centre-right): My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow my noble friend. I will be brief. The UK is Israel’s third largest trading partner, with £2.7 billion-worth of British exports and an overall trade relationship worth £4.8 billion. With improved and growing relations in the Middle East between the Arab world and Israel—the Abraham accords were referred to—and the UK’s very strong connection with Israel, I must say that the BDS campaign is a relic of a past war which is no longer being fought in the region, but rather by a small and divisive minority here in the UK Amendment 54, which has passed in the other place, will put an end to the politicisation of public sector pension funds. The main goal of local authorities—in my view as someone who is not a pensions expert—is to improve community cohesion, create local jobs and increase economic growth opportunities in their area. Supporting this amendment will allow the Government to send a clear message that global cohesion on an international scale—and the enhancement of economic growth and opportunity on a local level—should not be jeopardised by the divisive politics of a very small minority.
Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill — House of Lords, 2022-03-09
Topic: Government Operations
Gerald Grimstone (Conservative, Centre-right): My Lords, the amendments proposed to Clauses 2, 9, 23 and, to some extent, 27 are the result of extensive discussions with Welsh Ministers, who expressed their wish that the delegated powers in the Bill be redrafted to clarify areas of Welsh competence in recognition of the importance of the Bill’s policy to Welsh businesses The amendments to Clause 9, regarding extending the period for making a reference to arbitration, clarify that the power to extend the arbitration reference period can be exercised for English business tenancies or for Welsh business tenancies, as well as for both. The amendments to Clause 23 decouple the moratorium period and the period for making a reference to arbitration. The moratorium period will end six months from Royal Assent, unless extended New Clause 23A provides that the UK must seek the consent of Welsh Ministers to extend the Bill’s moratorium period for Welsh business tenancies in respect of devolved matters. In relation to Clause 27, which is the power to reapply the Bill to a future period of coronavirus, I have tabled an amendment to enable regulations under this clause to be made just for English business tenancies, or just for Welsh business tenancies, or for both. The amendments to this clause also provide that the UK Government will seek the consent of Welsh Ministers on the use of powers to reapply the Act for Welsh tenancies in response to future periods of coronavirus-related business closures, where the provisions are devolved. In addition, in the event of new coronavirus restrictions in Wales, new Clause 27A has been included to enable Welsh Ministers, concurrently with the Secretary of State, to use the power to reapply the relevant moratorium provisions to Welsh business tenancies. I am pleased to confirm that the Senedd has now voted to support the legislative consent Motion in relation to this As noble Lords will be aware, the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee published its report on 3 February. Following careful consideration of this report, I have now made several amendments to Clause 27 in order to address issues raised by the committee. I thank the committee for bringing this matter to the attention of the House. Primarily, the amendments limit the breadth of the Secretary of State’s powers to reapply the provisions of the Bill in the future. The amended power would allow for targeted modifications to accommodate new dates and to make adjustments to moratorium provisions to take account of new timeframes. However, it would not permit changes to the operation of the arbitration process or policy. The Secretary of State would retain the ability to make different provision for England and Wales, and to make incidental, supplemental, consequential, saving or transitional provisions. I beg to move.
Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill — House of Lords, 2022-03-09
Topic: Law and Crime
Martin Callanan (Conservative, Centre-right): I start by thanking all noble Lords for their constructive engagement in advance of and during today’s debate, and for the support generally expressed for the swift passage of this Bill. The noble Baroness, Lady Jones, was right—she is occasionally—that this was a good debate with many insightful points. I would not go so far as to say that I enjoyed it but it was nevertheless a good debate. It has underlined the importance of taking action on the dirty money flowing through the UK, following Russia’s brutal and barbaric invasion of Ukraine. I totally agree with the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, that it is more important than ever to ensure that we have the powers we need to take swift action to tackle economic crime. In doing so, we should ensure that the UK remains the place for legitimate investment to flourish. I am confident that this legislation strikes the right balance I know that many noble Lords—the noble Lord, Lord Fox, in particular—have a strong interest in Companies House reform and limited partnership reform. So do I, as the Minister responsible for implementing these important policies. Let me assure the House that these measures will be included in a wider Bill in the coming months. They will come alongside new powers to make it easier to seize crypto assets from criminals and measures to provide businesses with more confidence to share information on suspected money laundering.
Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill — House of Lords, 2022-03-09
Topic: International Affairs
Martin Callanan (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sure we will want to engage with all other parts of the world, not just the English-speaking world, through the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. We will want to engage with as many countries as possible to see that this regime is extended I apologise; there were a number of other points made that I wanted to answer, but I have run out of time. However, I shall pick up one point made by the noble Lord, Lord Empey, about Northern Ireland. We are working with Northern Ireland Ministers on the devolved matters in the Bill. As he will be aware, due to the ongoing situation with the Northern Ireland Executive we are unable to formally seek a legislative consent Motion, but the noble Lord can be assured that we would not proceed without the support of Northern Ireland Ministers. I have had meetings with Ministers from Northern Ireland and from Scotland to discuss this matter I know I have not addressed some points, but I am sure we will examine them in Committee. I have already been speaking for 30 minutes, the hour is late and the Chief Whip is getting unsettled, so I will draw my remarks to a close. We have to respond to this illegal invasion and the Bill enables us to do so. We need to rid this country of dirty money, and I am greatly encouraged by the support given to us by all parts of the House. I apologise for taking a long time over my response, but I commend the Bill to the House.
Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill — House of Lords, 2022-03-09
Topic: Law and Crime
Martin Callanan (Conservative, Centre-right): That it be an instruction to the Committee of the Whole House to which the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill has been committed that they consider the bill in the following order: Clauses 1 to 4, Schedules 1 and 2, Clauses 5 to 32, Schedules 3 to 5, Clauses 33 to 65, Title.