argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Covid-19: Public Finances — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Rishi Sunak (Conservative, Centre-right): The economic impacts of coronavirus and the substantial fiscal support provided have meant a necessary increase in our deficit and debt levels this year. That is the right thing to do to combat the pandemic, but once the economic recovery begins and uncertainty recedes, we will return our public finances to a sustainable and strong position.
Covid-19: Public Finances — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Melvyn John Stride (Conservative, Centre-right): There are reports that the Treasury has created an economic impact analysis, providing significant detail on the effect of coronavirus across the various sectors of the economy. For each sector, this analysis allocates red, amber and green ratings for revenue, jobs and financial stability. Given the vote tonight, may I ask my right hon. Friend why that analysis has not been published?
Covid-19: Public Finances — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Rishi Sunak (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend will have seen the analysis we did publish, which talked specifically about sectoral impact. In the document, there were specific links to the various places that people can find GVA and employment by sector and, indeed, the financial resilience of local businesses at some stages by sector and by region. It is that analysis, as we have said, that will determine the particular economic impact in an area. That information is all provided in the report for people to look at.
Self-Employed People: Covid-19 Support — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Labor
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): As my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington (Felicity Buchan) will be aware, the Government have taken unprecedented steps to support the self-employed during this crisis, and that includes through the self-employment income support scheme, which has been extended up to April, with details of the third grant published last week.
Self-Employed People: Covid-19 Support — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Technology
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of innovation. She will be delighted to know that the Government are protecting innovators and start-ups from the impact of covid through almost £900 million of future fund loans to date, £79 million for innovation loans as well as other grants, and that comes on top of more than £5 billion of support through research and development tax credits claimed for 2018-19 so far, which support more than £35 billion of R&D expenditure.
Self-Employed People: Covid-19 Support — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Labor
Robert James MacGillivray Neill (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my right hon. Friend accept that self-employed people and freelancers—many of whom are formed as limited companies, not because they choose to but because they are required to do so by the agencies or contractors they work for or by insurers—continue to fall through the net? Would it not be a good idea for him to meet directly some of those who work in these sectors? I suspect that many of those who advise him in the Treasury have no understanding of how self-employment actually works.
Hydrogen Technology: Fiscal Support — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Energy
Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government are supporting the development of the early fuel cell electric vehicle market through the £23 million hydrogen for transport programme. The spending review confirmed an automotive transformation fund to help industry transition to low-carbon vehicles. At the spending review, the Chancellor also announced £240 million over the next four years to support the aim of 5 GW of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030.
Hydrogen Technology: Fiscal Support — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Transportation
Michael Louis David Fabricant (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for her answer. The West Midlands Rail Executive and I are both very keen to re-establish passenger traffic on the Lichfield to Burton railway line, which currently is used just for freight traffic—it would stop, too, at the National Memorial Arboretum. The plan is that the locomotives will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Does my hon. Friend not agree with me that the levelling up fund would be ideal for that project?
Hydrogen Technology: Fiscal Support — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Transportation
Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is, as ever, a great champion for his local area. I understand that Transport for West Midlands, in partnership with Staffordshire Council and the local rail executive, has already engaged with the Restoring Your Railway fund. Regarding the specific proposal he is referencing, the Department for Transport has announced that there will be a further round of bidding for the fund. Other aspects of the proposal might be eligible for support from the £4 billion levelling- up fund; the Government will set out more details on eligibility in due course.
Disguised Remuneration Schemes: HMRC Contractors — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): I think the right hon. Gentleman is slightly unclear on this. HMRC takes careful steps to ensure that the people whom it deals with as agencies employ on a proper and appropriate basis. When, in very rare cases among hundreds and hundreds of contractors in a fast-moving market, it may become clear that someone has in fact been hired under such a scheme, it takes immediate steps to end that relationship and then to follow up, of course, and to pursue as may be required under law. If he is concerned about the interests of taxpayers, may I remind him that many of the people who benefit from disguised remuneration have not been paying tax, from which our public services benefit, and it is those taxpayers whose interests we are also seeking to protect.
Loan Charge: Support — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): Revenue and Customs has been clear on its commitment to support all taxpayers who might need help paying their loan charge liabilities. Where someone cannot afford to pay in full on time, it will seek to agree payment by instalments. Revenue and Customs has a dedicated helpline for those seeking to leave avoidance schemes, and the disguised remuneration and debt management teams are trained to identify taxpayers who may need extra help and support, and to refer them, if necessary, to outside organisations for support.
Loan Charge: Support — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): As my hon. Friend will be aware, a long and detailed review process has been conducted by Sir Amyas Morse. It is, of course, the individual’s responsibility to ensure the accuracy of their tax returns and to understand the consequences of their decisions, although of course the Government very much sympathise with people who have been caught in that position. My hon. Friend may have noticed that we have been taking very vigorous action against promoters of tax avoidance schemes—most recently, in an announcement we made last week, HMRC and the Advertising Standards Authority are getting together to crack down on misleading promoting of tax avoidance schemes.
Support for Businesses: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
John Philip Glen (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government recognise the extreme disruption that the pandemic has caused to business, employment and the nation’s economy, and our goal remains to protect people’s jobs and livelihoods. That is why we have provided one of the most comprehensive and generous packages of support, worth £280 billion.
Support for Businesses: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
John Philip Glen (Conservative, Centre-right): The temporary reduced rate of VAT was introduced on 15 July to support the cash flow and viability of more than 150,000 businesses and protect 2.4 million jobs in the hospitality and tourism sectors, and it will run now until 31 March next year. This obviously comes at a considerable cost to the Exchequer, and while we keep all taxes under review, there are no plans to extend it further. Although the Government want businesses to pass on the benefit to customers if they can, obviously decisions on prices are ultimately for businesses rather than the Government.
Legacy Benefits: Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Social Welfare
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): The £20 per week increase to universal credit and working tax credit is benefiting claimants by a total of £6.1 billion this year and is just one part of the wide-ranging package of Government support during this crisis.
Legacy Benefits: Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): I recognise that the right hon. Gentleman has, as Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, raised this issue on a number of occasions, and he will know that the uplift continues until the end of March; the benefit to which he refers continues until then. The Government are not ruling anything out for the future, but it is right that we wait for more clarity on the national economic picture before making any further decisions.
Support for People on Low Incomes: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Social Welfare
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government’s approach throughout the pandemic has been to try to support all families, but especially those on low incomes. We have announced a £30 billion plan for jobs to help people back into work, alongside wider measures including the furlough schemes, plus catch-up funding for schools and a substantial increase to the welfare safety net for this year, but it is important to say too that the Government are also supporting the lowest paid by increasing the national living wage to £8.91 and providing a minimum £250 pay increase for public sector workers earning less than £24,000 a year.
Support for People on Low Incomes: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Labor
David Mervyn Johnston (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the national living wage and minimum wage rates going up in April despite the difficult economic backdrop. Does my right hon. Friend agree, however, that what happens to people on low incomes is not just about what Government do? It is also about what employers do, and we need them to provide good work with the right number of hours and the right skills and progression strategies, because that is what will help people on low incomes to earn more.
Support for People on Low Incomes: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Labor
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): I certainly agree with my hon. Friend that it is important to focus on skills, and of course that is what the plan for jobs does. Our goal is to try to make sure that everyone, at whatever stage of life, has the opportunity and encouragement to improve their position in employment, and of course we also want employers to support them in doing that. It is well known that supportive and encouraging employers ultimately have more productive workforces because of the extra engagement they get. That is why the Department for Work and Pensions launched the in-work progression commission in order to try to understand better what those barriers to advancement might be and how they can be overcome both by the support of Government and by changes to the way in which employers develop and encourage staff.
Support for People on Low Incomes: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Scott Lloyd Benton (Conservative, Centre-right): In addition to the extra support provided during this pandemic, as my right hon. Friend has already said, the introduction of a national living wage and changes to the tax system have ensured that the lowest paid are up to £6,000 per year better off under this Government. Does he agree that protecting those people who are in work but on low incomes must remain an absolute priority for this Government when difficult decisions have to be made at the Budget?
Support for People on Low Incomes: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Labor
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): We certainly, of course, share the view that it is important—very important—to protect the low-paid. The purpose of supporting them through the national living wage was precisely in order to raise their incomes, and that increase is worth some £345 a year for a full-time worker. However, it is also important to say that the Government remain fully committed to their longer-term target for the national living wage, which will make an enormous contribution itself towards ending low pay in the UK, and that is before, as I have mentioned, the support we are giving to 2.1 million public sector workers earning less than £24,000 a year.
Loan Charge: HMRC Settlement — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): About 11,000 employers and individuals settled their use of disguised remuneration schemes between Budget 2016 and 31 March 2020. As I indicated earlier, HMRC is currently preparing a report to Parliament on the implementation of the recommendations of the independent loan charge review, and that is due imminently. The report will include figures up to the 30 September 2020 deadline for taxpayers who settled their use of disguised remuneration tax avoidance schemes.
Loan Charge: HMRC Settlement — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): As my hon. Friend will know, the settlement date has already been extended by eight months. That was a very important recognition of the impact of covid and has given individuals the chance to settle their schemes. He should also be aware that we do not merely seek to support those who are settling; we are also taking robust action against promoters and other enablers of tax avoidance schemes.
Net Zero Carbon Economy — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Environment
Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch (Conservative, Centre-right): The Chancellor’s announcement at the spending review will help us meet our net zero 2050 target by providing the right incentives for individuals and businesses. The spending review commits £12 billion of public investment, kick-starting our transition to net zero and boosting the UK’s global leadership on green infrastructure and technologies ahead of COP26 next year. It also included funding that will encourage protection of the natural environment, including for planting trees, restoring peatland, creating natural habitats and investing in national parks.
Net Zero Carbon Economy — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Environment
Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman will know that this has been the subject of negotiations, which are still ongoing. We legislated for a UK-linked ETS as well as a carbon emissions tax, and we will be announcing shortly which of those options we will be taking. We know that a UK-linked ETS is the preferred option at the moment, and that is the one that we are currently hoping we will be able to negotiate for during this period.
Net Zero Carbon Economy — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman asks an interesting question and I believe we are getting on with it. The Prime Minister’s 10-point plan, announced just two weeks ago, outlines quite a lot of that. If the hon. Gentleman is talking about the costs, he should look at the announcement we made about the net zero interim review, which will be coming out before the end of the year. That will look at the options for a balance of contributions between households, businesses and the taxpayer, and how to maximise economic growth opportunities from the transition to net zero.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Labor
Rishi Sunak (Conservative, Centre-right): I stand by what I said. Those earning less than £24,000 in the public sector, 2.1 million people, or 38% of all people working in the public sector, will receive a guaranteed fixed increase of at least £250.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Foreign Trade
Rishi Sunak (Conservative, Centre-right): I would not want to pre-empt the outcome of the ongoing talks, which I can say are constructive and proceeding with full intensity. I am very hopeful that they can reach a positive conclusion. More broadly, regardless of the exact nature of our trading relationship with our European friends and allies, I remain very confident in the economic future of our country and the opportunities that will come our way.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Transportation
Damien Moore (Conservative, Centre-right): Last week, my right hon. Friend announced the national infrastructure bank, which will be headquartered in the north of England, and a £4 billion infrastructure investment fund. Can he outline more of the details of those proposals and how, in particular, forthcoming projects will benefit my constituents in Southport?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): As the hon. Lady should know, the income tax on these payments is actually paid to Scotland, not to Westminster. The Scottish Government have the power and the funding to gross up the payment if they wish. The UK Government have provided over £8.2 billion extra funding for the Scottish Government this year to support people, businesses and public services.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Rishi Sunak (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will listen carefully to what the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary have to say immediately after these questions, and I believe there is hope for all parts of our country as we fight against this virus. With regard to this dashboard, I would refer him to the document published, which contains a sectoral dashboard and, as I said, links to further information that people can find about the regional composition of their local economies, sectoral business resilience and employment outcomes.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Labor
Rishi Sunak (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady raises a good point. Obviously, the news about Arcadia and Debenhams will be deeply worrying for employees and their families, and the Government stand ready to support them. With regard to various things that are ongoing, there are negotiations between various parties in the companies at the moment, particularly with regard to pensions, and it would not be right for me to comment specifically on those, but she can rest assured that we keep an eye on the situation.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Labor
John Philip Glen (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my right hon. Friend for his question. Throughout the crisis, as he has acknowledged, the Government have spent over £280 billion. He referred to the self-employment income support scheme. Support for the grant has recently been increased from 55% to 80% of average trading profits from November to January, capped at £7,500 in total, and the claims window will be open until 30 November. Obviously, a range of additional support mechanisms have been put in place, including the additional restrictions grant. As my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary said earlier, we will continue to look sympathetically and constructively at all other representations made.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Mark Peter Fletcher (Conservative, Centre-right): I warmly welcome the Chancellor’s renewed commitment to levelling up in last week’s spending review. Enterprise zones have a vital role to play in that levelling up. Will the Chancellor agree to meet me and some colleagues who have a particular interest in seeing a new generation of enterprise zones?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): First, the approach of the United Kingdom Government to these Scottish payments is exactly the same as applied recently in Wales. To further reinforce the point that I made a moment ago, while decisions on whether to exempt these payments are reserved, the Scottish Government will keep all the income tax receipts from these payments, so if they wish NHS and care workers to receive £500 net of tax, which is what they say is their wish, they can simply increase the value of the payments going to them. That is the point of substance. That is the point they do not want to engage on.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Edward Julian Egerton Leigh (Conservative, Centre-right): Does anybody in this Conservative Government still believe in a low-tax, deregulated and small-state Britain? In which case, what are they going to do about it? As they prepare for the Budget, may I suggest one that reduces, not increases taxes on entrepreneurs and wealth creators, to kick-start the economy?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Rishi Sunak (Conservative, Centre-right): That is music to my ears. My right hon. Friend is absolutely right: this is a Government who believe in a low-tax dynamic economy. He will also appreciate that, in the midst of the crisis that we are facing, it is incumbent on the Government to provide unprecedented support to preserve the economic capacity of our country. But as soon as we get through this, I, like him, look forward to returning to that dynamic free market economy that we both passionately believe in.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Social Welfare
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my right hon. Friend agree that the best time to invest in the emotional lifelong capacity of a human being that leads to future economic productivity is in the critical period between conception and the age of two? The Prime Minister’s levelling-up agenda will be best served by ensuring that every single baby across our United Kingdom gets the best start in life.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor set out earlier, and as the Office for Budget Responsibility set out last week, the total package of support comes to over £280 billion. In the spending review last week we also signalled further support as part of our covid response, with an additional £55 billion next year. Of course my right hon. Friend continues to keep under review the specific support to the charity sector, but as he set out in his earlier response, a comprehensive package of support has already been allocated. We will of course keep that under review.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2020-12-01
Topic: Macroeconomics
Julian Charles Sturdy (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend will know that pubs in tier 2 areas such as York will be hit particularly hard by the Government’s requirement to serve alcohol only with a meal. Given that pubs were already struggling prior to the pandemic, does he agree that now, more than ever, we need a fundamental reassessment of the way we tax beer and pubs?