argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Mixed Topics
Chinyelu Susan Onwurah (Labour, Centre-left): It is an essential service for his fortune, but not in this crisis. He finally agreed to close his shops, hiking prices online while still making employees come into empty shops to act as security The Government’s payroll support and job retention scheme are very welcome, but we must have greater clarity for businesses on what they need to do to stand by their employees, as the Prime Minister said. Any private sector bail-out must have strings attached to it. Banks were bailed out in the 2008 financial crisis and people were rewarded with austerity. In this crisis, we must champion the good businesses that are doing the right thing.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce
William Roffen Esterson (Labour, Centre-left): On the behaviour of the banks, I mentioned the 39.9% interest rates that the banks have announced that they will charge pretty much across the board—funny that, isn’t it? Does that not suggest that they are already embarked on exactly that approach of trying to make everybody else pay when they should be taking the opportunity to pay back for their role in the financial crisis?
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Immigration
John Martin McDonnell (Labour, Centre-left): I will come on to the issue of repatriation, but let me mention it now. All of us now have constituents contacting us about their loved ones who are not able to come home. We need clarity about what support is available and can be given. If it requires emergency measures, let us undertake them, because people are now deeply worried and isolated.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour, Centre-left): My right hon. Friend mentioned profiteering a short while ago. There are very unscrupulous retailers and wholesalers. While some of them are acting very responsibly, the unscrupulous individuals are profiteering at the very moment that people are at their most vulnerable and are then having to contend with those hiked prices. Does my right hon. Friend agree that those individuals should bear it in mind that people have long memories, and they may very well find that after this crisis is over their
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
John Martin McDonnell (Labour, Centre-left): A bit of practice that has crept into our politics recently is that announcements are made at press conferences, rather than to this House. Mr Speaker has made it perfectly clear that that is inappropriate behaviour. We have time left for a Minister to turn up in this House to take us through it.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Catherine Elizabeth West (Labour, Centre-left): Will my right hon. Friend congratulate the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee on the fact that Wetherspoons just did a U-turn, so that staff will be paid and participate in the Government’s scheme? Is that not an excellent exhibition of what cross-party MPs can do? People scoff at Back-Bench MPs, but is it not wonderful to see the Select Committee in action and to see that Wetherspoons is now going to do the right thing? Does that not the challenge for groups such as Cineworld to do that as well?
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Mixed Topics
Chinyelu Susan Onwurah (Labour, Centre-left): I have to correct the record. It was not a paean to the power of the free market; actually, I was identifying its critical failings when it comes to providing capacity for the state to respond to pandemics of the type we face.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Housing
Sarah Ann Jones (Labour, Centre-left): I thank the Minister for finishing his sentence so that I heard that last bit, as it was helpful. He said just a few minutes ago that letting agents and estate agents are now on the essential list of things that have to close. I did not think that they were; I thought that was the advice. Either way, people are being evicted right now and will not be included in that definition the Minister used. How on earth are they going to find anywhere else to go if there is nowhere open to help them? We need clear guidance from the Government that nobody should be evicted, for any reason, at this time.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (Labour, Centre-left): Quite rightly, emotions are running very high, and quite rightly, Members have been asking what measures are going to be put in place. I do not think that a tweet by Peston is the way that business should be carried out. If there is something to be said, people should come here tonight. I assume—I stand to be corrected—that they have not got the necessary information. I accept that, but if there is information, I would expect them to come. The right hon. Gentleman asks what we can do about the Adjournment motion. I have not got there yet. If he feels that way inclined, that might be a good time to question it.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (Labour, Centre-left): I will be quite honest. This is a time when people in the United Kingdom expect the parties to come together to work on behalf of this country, and I do not disagree. This is about ensuring that there is dialogue across the political parties to ensure that we do the right thing by the people in this country.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Kevan David Jones (Labour, Centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I echo the sentiments you just outlined—this is a time for coming together and putting political differences aside—but we have been played here. This issue was highlighted by hon. Members last week and into this week. The Government have had time to look at it. I accept that there are complexities in the process, but to have it announced that the statement is going to be made tomorrow in a press conference is totally unacceptable. May I ask your advice? If we were to vote down the motion on the Adjournment for the Easter recess, would that make it possible for us to sit tomorrow to accept this statement?
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (Labour, Centre-left): In fairness, I am a servant of the House, and the House will decide whether we sit or do not sit. The House will decide what it wishes. I will be quite honest. The Leader of the Opposition quite rightly made a plea that party leaders should come together by phone to have discussions about how we move events forward, because events will begin to overtake us. We have to remember that we will have a vote shortly on whether to have the Easter recess, and I will abide by what the House decides.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Dawn Petula Butler (Labour, Centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I absolutely agree that, at this time of national crisis, parties should come together. I think the Prime Minister is in breach of that sentiment and trust by briefing journalists that he is going to make an announcement tomorrow. If we suspend before the Adjournment today, can we order the Prime Minister to come to the House to deliver the statement that he has already written and is planning to deliver at the press conference tomorrow? Can that be done, Mr Speaker?
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Mixed Topics
Chinyelu Susan Onwurah (Labour, Centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment that this is a time for the parties, and indeed the country, to come together, but that requires us to share information, which is also part of my role as a Member of Parliament. After the Prime Minister’s announcement on closing pubs and the lockdown, and the Chancellor’s announcement about support for jobs, I received hundreds of emails asking for clarification—indeed, I received hundreds of emails about help for the self-employed before any announcement. What is your advice, Mr Speaker, about how I can perform my role as a Member of Parliament and share information, if we do not have the Prime Minister here to share it with the House?
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Mixed Topics
Valerie Carol Marian Vaz (Labour, Centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. You made it very clear in your statement exactly how you wanted matters to proceed when announcements are made. I think the Chancellor did say that. I did say that he did not accept what you said or admit it, but he gave you an assurance that that is what he would do I say to the Leader of the House that this matter has been raised for three weeks now. The shadow Chancellor wrote to the Government—to the Chancellor—a week ago with a package. I appreciate that civil servants have a lot to take on, but if it has been announced to Robert Peston, surely it must have been signed off. Could the Leader of the House please say exactly when the package was signed off? If they are making a press announcement, it must have been signed off We have heard that condolences should be sent after Steve Dick, the deputy ambassador to Hungary, sadly died of the virus. We therefore understand how important this matter is.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
John Martin McDonnell (Labour, Centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I understand some of the difficulties, but perhaps we could get an assurance that we will at least have a copy of the proposals in advance, before the media. We will honour whatever embargo is placed upon us, as we always do with statements that are provided to us. That would give us the opportunity to frame any subsequent questions we want to put to the Government, to respond to any concerns that are raised by our constituents and to prepare a briefing for our own Members of Parliament.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (Labour, Centre-left): I will come back to the Leader of the House. I think it is quite clear that those channels should be opened by the leaders of the parties. Some good offers have been made and I hope that the Leader of the House can respond.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Jeremy Bernard Corbyn (Labour, Centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. A very clear request was made by my right hon. Friend the shadow Chancellor that we get embargoed copies an hour or half an hour—whatever it happens to be—in advance, as we do with ministerial statements, so that informed comments can be made by Opposition parties. We fully understand all the difficulties of getting this package together by tomorrow morning, but I do think we should be informed as to what is in it so that we can make what may well be helpful and informed comments. We, too, represent deeply stressed constituents at the moment.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Dawn Petula Butler (Labour, Centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. The Leader of the House says that it is not possible to brief the House before this is ready, but if that is the case why has the press been briefed before this House? Does he not think that things have been done in reverse? He is holding the House in contempt. He is the Minister who loves the procedures of this House, so why have the Government briefed the press before the House?
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Kevan David Jones (Labour, Centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. My right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition has made a very good suggestion. Could the Leader of the House indicate whether he would be able to take that forward? I think it would be a helpful way of moving this on.
Financial and Social Emergency Support Package — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (Labour, Centre-left): On that basis, I am going to put some questions. Somebody has asked why we cannot suspend. We cannot go beyond 7 pm or the whole thing would collapse. There are some things that you may choose to support or not. That is up to the House.
Adjournment (Easter) — House of Commons, 2020-03-25
Topic: Other
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (Labour, Centre-left): Before the House adjourns, can I wish every Member and your families well and once again reiterate that the staff in this House have done a fantastic job? [Applause.] No clapping, whatever we do! There are things that we can learn and there is technology that we can bring in, but the fact is that we do not have the staff to carry out a lot of things that we want to happen at this moment. They are with us during the Easter break and we will see what we can do. Of course, we have been told time and again that there are certain measures we should have taken. Security-wise, we are not licensed. I make an appeal to the Leader of the House: Downing Street does have a licence, and if we could share that, it would enable our technology to move very quickly and give Members the reach that they need to become part of the virtual Parliament and virtual Select Committees. If that could be taken on board, I would be very grateful. Thank you, everybody. Please keep in touch with the leaders. A lot has been said tonight that must and will be taken on board. Thank you, everybody. I wish you well.
Young People: Equitable Opportunity — House of Commons, 2020-03-02
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: What steps he is taking to ensure equitable access to opportunity for young people in (a) Staffordshire and (b) the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement.
Tulip Rizwana Siddiq (Labour, Centre-left): In a review published last week, my constituent Sir Michael Marmot argued that a highly educated and well-paid childcare workforce was essential to the improvement of early-years provision and the tackling of healthcare inequality. Both are essential if we are to provide equal opportunities for the next generation. However, under this Government early-years staff suffered a real-terms pay cut of 5% between 2013 and 2018, and thousands of staff are leaving the profession because of low pay. Will the Secretary of State join me in asking the new Chancellor to pledge more funds for early-years provision in the upcoming Budget, so that we can pay our staff properly and the next generation can have equal opportunities?
Ministerial Code — House of Commons, 2020-03-02
Topic: Immigration
Stephen John Doughty (Labour, Centre-left): The Home Secretary herself has admitted that her "actions fell below the high standards that are expected of a secretary of state" and "below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated." Of course, that was the last time she had to resign from the Cabinet—as International Development Secretary. What has changed since then? Given the Minister’s interest in the work of the Home Office, can he say who has replaced Shona Dunn as the second permanent secretary, given that person’s important role in dealing with the immigration system?
Airport Expansion — House of Commons, 2020-03-02
Topic: Mixed Topics
Rosalie Winterton (Labour, Centre-left): Order. Before I call the hon. Member for Hampstead and Kilburn (Tulip Siddiq) to ask her urgent question, it may be helpful to say that Mr Speaker has been advised that there will be a statement in the House tomorrow on coronavirus. This urgent question is very narrow, and relates only to the matter of prisoners held abroad.
UK-US Trade Deal — House of Commons, 2020-03-02
Topic: Other
Rosalie Winterton (Labour, Centre-left): Order. I intend to run this statement until about quarter past 6. I urge short questions and short replies. Anybody who was not here at the beginning should not be standing. I will prioritise people who did not get called during the previous urgent questions.
High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill: Revival — House of Commons, 2020-03-02
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrew Joseph McDonald (Labour, Centre-left): I take that admonishment, Madam Deputy Speaker, and simply satisfy the hon. Gentleman by saying that the Labour party entered the last general election with a fully costed regional plan that would have served his area adequately The dividends in reduced emissions are immense, and I encourage the Government to articulate that argument better at every opportunity. We are concerned that the links to Manchester and Leeds are now under review and could even be downgraded. The Government have repeatedly broken their promises of investment in the north, with the region set to receive just a fraction of the investment to be made in London, and a northern powerhouse simply has to be much more than a slogan HS2 must be developed with more sensitivity to local communities and much more sensitivity to the environmental impact, particularly on modern and ancient woodlands across the country.
Committees — House of Commons, 2020-03-02
Topic: Other
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (Labour, Centre-left): With the leave of the House, we will take motions 14 and 15 together Ordered, European Statutory Instruments Committee That Amanda Solloway be discharged from the European Statutory Instruments Committee and Mr Richard Holden be added Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments That Eddie Hughes be discharged from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and Paul Holmes be added.—(Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Selection Committee.)
Engagements — House of Commons, 2020-05-20
Topic: Civil Rights
Claudia Naomi Webbe (Labour, Centre-left): The Government keep saying that this virus does not discriminate, but that is not true. Office for National Statistics figures show that black people, African and African Caribbean people are four times more likely to die from covid-19. The figure is also disproportionately high for Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Indian communities. What is the Prime Minister going to do now about this,- and will he act now to ensure that African, Asian and minority ethnic communities in Leicester East and across the country are supported in the next phase of this virus?
Engagements — House of Commons, 2020-05-20
Topic: Other
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (Labour, Centre-left): Order. Secretary of State for Health, please. I do not mind you advising the Prime Minister, but you do not need to advise the Opposition during this. [Interruption.] Sorry, do you want to leave the Chamber? We are at maximum numbers. If you want to give way to somebody else, I am more than happy.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2020-05-20
Topic: Immigration
Keir Starmer (Labour, Centre-left): I am disappointed, because the Prime Minister knows how raw this is. The fee in question, the immigration health surcharge, is currently £400 a year. From October, that goes up to £624 a year. For a careworker on the national living wage, that will require working for 70 hours to pay off the fee The Doctors Association and a number of medical groups wrote to the Home Secretary this week, and they set it out this way: "At a time when we are mourning colleagues, your steadfast refusal to reconsider the deeply unfair immigration health surcharge is a gross insult to all"— of us— "who are serving this country at its time of greatest need." We agree, and Labour will table amendments to the immigration Bill to exempt NHS and careworkers from this charge. Can I urge the Prime Minister to reconsider his view as we go through this crisis?
Engagements — House of Commons, 2020-05-20
Topic: Civil Rights
Rosemary Clare Duffield (Labour, Centre-left): Women make up the vast majority of the workforce in our NHS, social care sector and schools. However, there is only a handful of women on the SAGE committee and only one woman in the Cabinet has led the Downing Street briefing in the past eight weeks on very few occasions. Does the Prime Minister agree with me, as the chair of the largest group of female MPs in the House, that we need a change of tone and more female voices at the top of Government to reflect the majority of the UK population, almost 52% of whom are women? If not, why not?
Engagements — House of Commons, 2020-05-20
Topic: Other
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (Labour, Centre-left): That is the end of PMQs. Before the urgent question, I should say that I plan to allow a statement by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on the UK’s approach to Northern Ireland protocol as part of the scrutiny proceedings. I will allow less time for the urgent question and the business statement as a consequence We now come to the urgent question to the Leader of the House. I will end the urgent question at 12.55. I call the Leader of the House, Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg, to answer the urgent question from Alistair Carmichael. The Leader of the House should speak for no more than three minutes.
Conduct of Business After the Whitsun Recess — House of Commons, 2020-05-20
Topic: Mixed Topics
Mary Elizabeth Twist (Labour, Centre-left): Just like our communities, this House is made up of people with a range of different situations who are following Government advice and Public Health England advice and shielding or self-isolating or who have childcare or elder care responsibilities arising from these unique covid circumstances, yet they are continuing to represent their constituents although they cannot be here in person. Will the Leader of the House tell us what arrangements will be in place to ensure that all Members can continue to take part fully in the work of Parliament, in person or virtually?
Northern Ireland Protocol: UK Approach — House of Commons, 2020-05-20
Topic: Mixed Topics
Hilary James Benn (Labour, Centre-left): We all hope there will be an exit agreement with the EU, but if there is not, how will the Government stop goods, such as cars made in the EU, which in those circumstances would attract a 10% tariff, from entering Great Britain tariff-free via Northern Ireland? The right hon. Gentleman has told the House that goods would have unfettered access moving from Northern Ireland to GB. Would there in fact have to be checks if people tried to do that?
Trade Bill — House of Commons, 2020-05-20
Topic: Other
Rosalie Winterton (Labour, Centre-left): I must inform the House that Mr Speaker has selected the reasoned amendment in the name of Keir Starmer. I call Secretary Elizabeth Truss to move the Second Reading. The Secretary of State is asked to speak for no more than 15 minutes.
Trade Bill — House of Commons, 2020-05-20
Topic: Other
Rosalie Winterton (Labour, Centre-left): Order. I ask the hon. Gentleman to bring his remarks to a close. I thank him for his contribution, but we must move on. I am now introducing a time limit of five minutes, and I advise hon. Members who are speaking virtually to have a timing device visible.
Covid-19: Prisons — House of Commons, 2020-04-27
Topic: Mixed Topics
Daniel Owen Jarvis (Labour, Centre-left): Tomorrow the nation will mark International Workers’ Memorial Day with a minute’s silence, to pay tribute to workers—including prison officers —who have lost their lives while protecting us. Will the Secretary of State join me in recognising the dedication and sacrifice of our prison staff and thank them for performing a vital public service while putting their own health and safety at risk?