argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Automotive Sector: Environmentally Sustainable Recovery — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Nicholas Anthony Fletcher (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend may be aware that Elon Musk, the chief executive officer of Tesla Motors, recently landed at Doncaster Sheffield Airport and has seen the land ready for development. Will the Minister work with me to put a case forward to encourage this automotive giant to build its next gigafactory in Don Valley?
Businesses and Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): Ministerial colleagues and I have engaged closely with affected sectors throughout the covid-19 pandemic. Recently, I have had meetings with representatives of the retail, hospitality, consumer goods, weddings, nightclubs and events sectors, and small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK.
Businesses and Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): That is something that I continue to engage with the Treasury and with businesses on, to understand it and to see what more we can do. I am someone who has in the past been a company director and paid myself through dividends, so I understand the position of those in the creative sector, who are doing much the same thing. We will work together to see what more we can do.
Businesses and Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): I have met nightclub representatives and people who run nightclubs. I have met with Sacha Lord and other people who work with the elected mayors. We have set up a nightclub taskforce to work with the Night Time Industries Association and other owners to try to work our way to a covid-19-secure nightclub, when we can start to open up the economy. Many nightclubs have actually repurposed to be able to open as bars and other areas of industry.
Businesses and Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): I am not sure where the Government sources are coming from. As I say, lives are absolutely first in our priorities; we are trying to make sure that we can stop the transmission of this virus. We want to keep the economy open, which is why we have put measures in place so that, although they are hampered because they cannot trade fully, pubs, restaurants and other sectors can stay open at this time.
Businesses and Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): We have handed out £11 billion-worth of cash grants to businesses across the country. In terms of the underspend, the under-allocation varied by local authorities and how much money they could get to those businesses, which is why we need to have it in to reconcile. I work with the wedding sector. At the moment it is impossible to work through a system that makes it viable for those businesses to open beyond a certain number. However, they will be viable businesses in the future.
Merseyside: Sustainable Energy Production — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Other
Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng (Conservative, Centre-right): I would be very happy to meet with MPs and representatives in the Mersey region. I know the Mayor, Steven Rotherham; I met him in my previous life as a DExEU Under-Secretary. I am happy to meet him and others again.
Jobs and Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): We are committed to ongoing engagement with industry to understand the impact of the pandemic on manufacturers and to ensure that they have the support they need. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have regular meetings with manufacturers, including one yesterday with more than 100 manufacturers and major businesses, including Make UK.
Research and Development — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Amanda Jane Solloway (Conservative, Centre-right): As part of the R&D road map we are actively developing a place strategy, which will set out how we can develop and grow an R&D capability across the country. I regularly meet my noble Friend Lord Grimstone, the Minister for Investment, to discuss how we can leverage and increase foreign direct investment to benefit all regions and nations of the UK.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): As the hon. Gentleman knows, we are supporting the hospitality sector. Business rates are not required to be paid for the full year, and other support is available across the economy. If we want to get back to normality, we must get this infection under control, and we all have a part to play in that.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend may know that we have funded Citizens Advice to provide local advice during this crisis, and we have negotiated a voluntary agreement with energy suppliers to support households impacted by covid-19. I also commend the Money Advice Service for developing the money advice tool, which gives people important practical support in managing their finances.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): Harrogate and Knaresborough has a large conference and events industry, mainly driven by the Harrogate convention centre, which is now a Nightingale hospital. I have raised the industry’s specific challenges with Ministers already, but I understand that my right hon. Friend has been having discussions with the sector directly. Will he update the House on those discussions, and will he meet me to discuss the specific challenges for the industry in my constituency?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): We currently have a close to half a million green jobs in this country. We want to create another 2 million. The hon. Lady will also know that the Chancellor announced the green homes grant package, which will support more than 100,000 green jobs.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Aaron Stuart Bell (Conservative, Centre-right): Last week, I spoke with my constituent David Bevan, who runs Alive Network, the UK’s largest live entertainment booking agency. He and I acknowledge that he has already had an awful lot of support from the Government, through grants, furlough, bounce back loans, VAT deferral and so on. Times are tough at the moment, but he expects things to be busier than ever when we get to the other side. What more can my right hon. Friend’s Department do to help David’s business get to the other side?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Christopher Mark Clarkson (Conservative, Centre-right): Heywood Magic Market in my constituency has been offering stalls for just £28 a week, enabling sole traders and the self-employed to find new, innovative ways of earning a living during the coronavirus pandemic. Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating the staff, the traders and the board of the Magic Market for their ingenuity and community spirit, and will he reiterate the Department’s long-standing commitment to small traders and entrepreneurs, who will be essential in rebuilding our post-covid economy?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I am absolutely delighted to offer my congratulations to Heywood Magic Market, and everyone involved with this initiative, on demonstrating such innovation. As my hon. Friend knows, in May I announced the discretionary grant scheme to support market traders. We absolutely back entrepreneurs and innovators in Heywood and Middleton and across the country. The Conservative party has always been the party of business, and we will always continue to be the party of business.
Students’ Return to Universities — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): We expect students to follow the same rules as we ask everyone in society to follow. Those who have tested positive for covid or have been in close contact with someone who has would understandably be asked to self-isolate. Universities are working closely with local public health teams to ensure that that happens. We always want to ensure that there is a sensible and proportionate response to ensure that students are able to go about their business and continue their learning online and, importantly, face to face.
Students’ Return to Universities — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): I pay tribute to the University of Bolton for all the work that it has been doing in order to be able to welcome back its many thousands of students. The University of Bolton plays an important role in providing education not just for students who have travelled internationally and across the country but locally for many young people. We will continue to work with the University of Bolton to ensure that people understand how the rules are applied. We need to make sure that people understand who needs to isolate and how long they should be isolating for, but equally, they need to understand that many young people can go about their normal business while observing the restrictions and courtesies that we ask all universities and all people within society to observe.
Students’ Return to Universities — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): I very much hope that the hon. Member’s son is enjoying his time at university and the opportunities that it will open up. We have always been clear that, if youngsters contract covid, they will have to self-isolate. We have also been clear that, where students have been in close contact with people who have covid, they will also have to self-isolate. Those are the rules that we expect everyone right across the country to abide by, so it is right that we also expect that of students. What he would see, if he had taken the time to read the guidance that we issued both on 2 July and the 11 September and the additional work and support made available to universities, is that we recognised that there were going to be challenges as a result of this. That is why we have worked with the university sector and asked it to reduce the risk as much as possible, so that young people are able to have the benefits of university and their learning is not impacted by covid—or the impact is minimised.
Students’ Return to Universities — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady is maybe not aware that we have taken a number of actions to support the sector, including changes and improvements in research funding, making sure that we continue to protect the vital scientific research base in which we are truly a world leader; the actions that we took before the summer to bring stability to the sector; and working with Universities UK to ensure that the profiling of money to universities works best for them and gives them stability to be able to provide for young people, not just in England but hopefully also with benefits in Wales.
Students’ Return to Universities — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Brendan Clarke-Smith (Conservative, Centre-right): We are rightly proud that the UK attracts so many international students who come to our country every year to study. Will my right hon. Friend tell me what steps his Department is taking to support those students during these unprecedented times?
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill (Programme) (No. 2) — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Nigel Martin Evans (Conservative, Centre-right): I inform the House that I have not selected the amendment to the programme motion Ordered, That the Order of 14 September 2020 (United Kingdom Internal Market Bill (Programme)) be varied as follows: (1) Paragraphs (4) to (6) of the Order shall be omitted (2) Proceedings on Consideration and any proceedings in legislative grand committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order (3) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order.—(Paul Scully.)
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Nigel Martin Evans (Conservative, Centre-right): I have not selected the recommittal motion in the name of Ian Blackford New Clause 4 Objectives and general functions ‘(1) In carrying out its functions under this Part the CMA must have regard to the objective in subsection (2) (2) The objective is to support, through the application of economic and other technical expertise, the effective operation of the internal market in the United Kingdom (with particular reference to the purposes of Parts 1, 2 and 3) (3) The following do not apply in relation to the carrying out of the CMA’s functions under this Part— (a) section 25(3) of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (duty to seek to promote competition), and (b) sections 6(1)(b) (function of giving information or advice to the public) and 7 (provision of information and advice to Ministers etc) of the Enterprise Act 2002 (4) The CMA may give information or advice to the Secretary of State on matters relating to any of its functions under this Part.’—(Paul Scully.) This new clause makes provision about the objective to which the Competition and Markets Authority must have regard in carrying out its functions under Part 4, and the application of certain general functions of the CMA in relation to its functions under Part 4. The clause would be inserted after Clause 28. Brought up, and read the First time.
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful for that typically wise intervention. I am happy to provide that confirmation Amendment 1 provides absolute privilege against defamation for the Competition and Markets Authority when carrying out its functions under part 4. That will ensure that it can report and provide advice independently without needing to expend resources on preparing to defend litigation, and that businesses with deep pockets cannot sue or threaten to sue the CMA to obstruct it from carrying out its functions I shall set out briefly for the House the amendments that will improve the Bill’s drafting. Through amendments 31 to 34, we are taking the opportunity to put it beyond any possible doubt that alcohol minimum unit pricing-type regulation and any other sales requirements are not in the scope of the mutual recognition principle, unless they amount in practice to a total ban on a good being sold. That came up in Committee. We want to make sure that rather than politicking, we can return to a business continuity approach.
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention, but the answer is no. To ensure we take that political football totally off the table and return the Bill to what is was always designed to be about—giving businesses in Scotland and all parts of the UK the business continuity and certainty they need without such distractions—the technical amendment dots the i’s and crosses the t’s.
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and Ministers work with all the devolved Administrations. My colleague in the Business Department has meetings—especially at this particular time—with businesses across the devolved Administrations, including in Wales As I say, for this particular area, we already publish the report I referred to. However, we consider it right that any reporting on the Joint Committee machinery or the UK shared prosperity fund should be undertaken separately from that on internal market provisions. For that reason, I am not able to accept the amendment.
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Other
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my right hon. Friend. It is right that he gets to speak as it is about his amendment. He is trying to be helpful in this regard, and I know that Ministers in the other place will take heed of his comments as they engage with colleagues there.
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Other
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): I know that a number of people want to speak. I hope that I have set out the rationale for the Government’s amendments to the Bill, and that hon. Members will support them. I trust that I have addressed in sufficient detail the Government’s objections to the amendments put forward by other hon. Members, and that they will therefore feel able to withdraw them. I look forward to engaging in the debate on this crucial Bill.
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Other
Shailesh Lakhman Vara (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady talks about delivery. Does she accept that it might not be a bad idea if Her Majesty’s Opposition agreed with the delivery of what the people of the United Kingdom have voted for? They have voted for this Bill to go through.
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes an important point, and I will come on to it. As I was saying, we need to replace the law to continue the smooth functioning of our centuries-old internal market, while also ensuring that devolved Administrations benefit from that power surge from Brussels. The Bill will do precisely that Our approach will give businesses the regulatory clarity and certainty they want. It will ensure that the cost of doing business in the UK stays as low as possible, and it will do so without damaging and costly regulatory barriers emerging between the different parts of the United Kingdom. I cannot overstate the importance of this economic continuity Bill, especially as we seek to recover from covid-19. It is ultimately designed to safeguard jobs and livelihoods, protect businesses, give choice to consumers and continue to showcase the United Kingdom as a beacon for inward investment. That is why this legislation is so vital My Department and I, along with colleagues across Government, have spoken to a large number of businesses and business representative organisations across the whole of the United Kingdom about our proposals to safeguard our internal market. Businesses have overwhelmingly backed our approach. The British Chambers of Commerce has stressed that "A fragmented system would create additional costs, bureaucracy and supply chain challenges that could disrupt operations for firms across the UK." NFU Scotland has emphasised the importance of protecting the UK internal market, stating: "NFU Scotland’s fundamental priority, in the clear interest of Scottish agriculture as well as the food and drinks sector it underpins, is to ensure the UK Internal Market effectively operates as it does now." I could go on. Make UK has noted that it is particularly important to manufacturers that they can trade simply and effectively across all parts of the United Kingdom. The business community is clear: we must continue to safeguard the sanctity of the seamless UK internal market The Bill also respects and upholds the devolution settlements—[Interruption.] The right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber (Ian Blackford) says it does not. He will get a large number of powers—an unprecedented level of powers—back after the transition period. If he does not want them, he ought to stand up and say that, but the reality is that he is against this Bill because he wants to be shackled to the European Union forever. That is the reason he is against this—
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Other
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): This has been debated over the long passage of the Bill in this House. As the hon. Lady and other Members will know, we introduced an amendment in Committee that provides a break-glass mechanism that ensures that the safety net will come into force only if a motion in this House is passed with a requirement for a take-note debate in the other place. I hope that will allow her to vote for the Bill on Third Reading.
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I will not; I am now winding up This Bill provides the certainty that businesses want and need to invest and create jobs. It helps to maintain high standards and choice for consumers while keeping prices down. It reaffirms our commitment to devolution, supporting one of the biggest transfers of power to the devolved Administrations. It allows the Government to invest further in communities across the United Kingdom. This is about levelling up across the whole of the UK and strengthening our precious Union, which some would want to put at risk. I am a Unionist, as is the right hon. Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband); neither of us are separatists. Above all, the Bill continues to preserve the UK internal market that has been an engine of growth and prosperity for centuries. In voting for this Bill, we protect our constituents’ jobs, businesses and livelihoods. I commend it to the House.