argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
John Mann (Labour, Centre-left): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Where an MP is elected by Parliament to represent us on a foreign delegation and is subsequently sent home from that delegation for inappropriate behaviour, will such cases always be reported back to the body that elected them—that is, to Parliament—and have they been in the past?
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Other
John Mann (Labour, Centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. No, my motivation is to clarify what is the policy and procedure of the House in a circumstance where a Member has been elected at any stage by this Parliament. Will these things be reported back?
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
Deborah Angela Elspeth Marie Abrahams (Labour, Centre-left): I beg to move, That this House has considered the Government’s response to the decision of the House on pausing the Universal Credit full service roll-out Once again, Mr Speaker, I thank you for granting this emergency debate, which is so important to the people we represent. It is very important that we have this opportunity to return to the roll-out of universal credit, following last week’s Opposition day debate. Just to refresh everyone’s memory, the motion calling for a pause to the programme was unanimously approved by 299 votes to zero. Since then, we have heard nothing from the Government about what they intend to do, in response to the concerns raised last week, to fix universal credit. I always welcome the Minister for Employment to his place, but why is the Secretary of State not here to answer? Obviously I understand that emergencies do happen, but I did not get a satisfactory response from his office when I rang earlier, and apparently Downing Street is none the wiser either The press has reported that the Government are considering reducing the six-week wait for the first payment after making a claim. Will the Minister confirm whether that is correct and, if so, when will it happen? Will he also explain why his Government deem it acceptable to brief the media but not to make a statement to this House? Does he recognise the constitutional implications of his Government’s inaction to date?
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Housing
Seema Malhotra-Saluja (Labour, Centre-left): I thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate. Is she as surprised as I am by Conservative Members’ denial of the seriousness of these issues? Their comments will give no succour to my constituents, such as the mother of three who is currently sleeping on her cousin’s floor after she was evicted from her home because of non-payment of rent that resulted from delays in universal credit. This is not about the Opposition versus the Government; it is about real people—our constituents—suffering.
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
James Dolan Cunningham (Labour, Centre-left): A number of cases have been brought to me. Last Christmas, one constituent waited for two months without any money to get redress. On the constitutional question, democracy can only work if everybody gets involved. It is no good the Government boycotting Parliament.
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Housing
Karen Patricia Buck (Labour, Centre-left): My hon. Friend is being generous with her time. During last week’s debate, I raised the reluctance of private sector landlords to rent properties to people who are on universal credit. Is she aware that social landlords frequently issue a notice indicating that they will seek possession of a property if the tenant is in arrears for only a week? Is it not scandalous that an ever-increasing number of people will approach the Christmas period with such a threat hanging over them?
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Housing
Deborah Angela Elspeth Marie Abrahams (Labour, Centre-left): No, I do not It is so important to stress that half of those in rent arrears under universal credit entered arrears after making a claim. We know that one in four is waiting more than six weeks, and one in 10 is waiting more than 10 weeks.
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Housing
Deborah Angela Elspeth Marie Abrahams (Labour, Centre-left): We know the real issues involved in the housing crisis at the moment, so the hon. Gentleman makes a very fair point The Government claim that the purpose of making payments once a month in arrears is to mimic the world of work, but that is not the case. Data published just yesterday by the Office for National Statistics shows that a quarter of the lowest-paid—those most likely to be on universal credit—are paid every week or fortnightly. As my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral West (Margaret Greenwood) has said, given that nearly 400,000 more people are due to go on to universal credit over the winter, at this rate 80,000 people will be waiting more than six weeks for a payment, with 40,000 people waiting more than 10 weeks for their first payment.
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Deborah Angela Elspeth Marie Abrahams (Labour, Centre-left): Again, my hon. Friend makes a very important point. I will come on to all the different issues. I have raised the so-called advance payment, which is in fact, as I have said, a loan—it has to be paid back within six months.
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
Marie Elizabeth Rimmer (Labour, Centre-left): The Government listened to some of the requests raised in a Westminster Hall debate on this issue in January 2016. There have been some changes and improvements. However, it is the cuts and the savage implementation of sanctions that are hitting people the hardest, and giving a loan to somebody already in debt is not a help at all. You should not be doing that, Minister.
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Housing
Carolyn Harris (Labour, Centre-left): I certainly do. Such is the Government’s arrogance Coastal Housing, one of the leading social housing providers in my constituency, tells me that 90% of its tenants who are already on the pilot scheme are behind with their rent. In total, those tenants are over £73,000 in arrears, which means that, on average, each of them owes approximately £830. Coastal Housing and its tenants have told me of a series of problems with the scheme. The initial seven-day waiting period does not cover housing costs; the month-long assessment period, followed by a wait of up to seven days for the money to be paid into their banks, is putting too many people in debt before they even start on the scheme; and people are being forced to rely on food banks for the first time ever while they wait for their money. However, despite all those issues with the pilot scheme, the Government think that the best way forward is to plough on regardless I anticipate mayhem for far too many vulnerable people on 13 December, when the scheme is rolled out in Swansea. It does not take a mathematician to work out that if they transfer 12 days before Christmas and the payments take between 35 and 42 days to appear in bank accounts, a lot of Swansea residents will be in dire straits at the worst possible time.
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
Martin David Whitfield (Labour, Centre-left): My hon. Friend talks about workers who are claiming universal credit. Studies in East Lothian have shown that 18% of those people who are working saw no change in their income, that 18% saw an average increase of £18.31, and that 45% of people in work saw a fall in their income of £39.99 a week.
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Housing
Mohammed Afzal Khan (Labour, Centre-left): I only have one more short point; then I will see if the hon. Lady can have another opportunity. The second point is that rent arrears are higher among universal credit claimants, young people cannot receive payments towards housing costs, and claimants need to borrow money before they receive their first payment, and all of that is contributing to a higher risk of eviction and homelessness. Will the Minister commit to addressing these issues?
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Other
Paula Michelle Sherriff (Labour, Centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. There was an unfortunate occasion in the House during the universal credit debate last week when a Government Member made an unfortunate comment, or used unfortunate behaviour, although he later apologised to my hon. Friend. To suggest that there was no mocking or inappropriate behaviour is not correct, because the Member in question did have the grace to apologise.
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Other
Hugh Lawrence Gaffney (Labour, Centre-left): Yes, I did get an apology last week. I accepted the apology, and we can move on. It was a disgraceful way to behave, but what made it even worse was the fact that you sat on your hands, and you did not turn up to do your job.
Smart Meters Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
Katherine Anne Green (Labour, Centre-left): One issue that has been raised by my constituents who are wary of the installation of smart meters is that they are unsure whether, if they change suppliers in the future, they would have to bear the cost of their smart meters being replaced by the new supplier. Does my hon. Friend agree that it would be useful to be able to give consumers very strong assurances on that point?
Smart Meters Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
Matthew Raymond Western (Labour, Centre-left): I have not done this before. There is a huge amount of sense in everything that the hon. Gentleman is describing, but I was surprised to hear—and maybe he would be—that more deprived households have not been prioritised for the introduction of smart meters. Given what the hon. Gentleman has been saying, it would be a real advantage to their household economy if they were prioritised. Would he welcome that?
Smart Meters Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
Matthew Toby Perkins (Labour, Centre-left): There is a really important point here about consumers from the lowest income households. Given that companies have different tariffs, why do the Government or the companies themselves not say, "We’ll stop you having the responsibility of deciding the best tariff for you. We have all the data. At the end of every quarter, we’ll look at your bill, tell you what would have been the best tariff and put you on it, so you always save the money without having to do all the work yourself"? Companies should have the information to be able to do that.
Smart Meters Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
Caroline Louise Flint (Labour, Centre-left): The hon. Lady makes a good point about the use of technology, but does she also accept that some of the poorest families in our communities cannot afford to buy the white goods that are at the cutting-edge of this technology, and we need to address that problem as well?
Smart Meters Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Other
Alan Patrick Vincent Whitehead (Labour, Centre-left): The last time I heard about the progress of the programme motion, there was no agreement on the number of days that could be set out for the Committee stage, so it may well be the case that that concern will be reflected tonight. However, I would emphasise that as far as the main purpose of the Bill—
Leaving the EU: Human Rights — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Civil Rights
Barry John Sheerman (Labour, Centre-left): Can the Minister assure us that when we leave—if we leave—the European Union, human rights will very much involve the ability to put right miscarriages of justice and that the Criminal Cases Review Commission will be strengthened rather than weakened by our leaving Europe?
Community Rehabilitation Company Contracts — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Mixed Topics
David George Hanson (Labour, Centre-left): I am grateful for that answer. Will the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State publish how much additional resource he has given to CRC companies in total, which CRC companies have received that additional resource, and what he intends them to do with the product they have been given?
Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Conor Patrick McGinn (Labour, Centre-left): I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests and to the fact that I am co-chair of the all-party group on racing and bloodstock industries. The Minister will know that horse-racing relies heavily on the levy from bookmakers and on advertising, sponsorship and media rights. Will she assure me that she will work with the industry—with horse-racing—in the coming weeks to ensure that, while protecting those who are vulnerable to gambling addiction, which we all want to do, we protect jobs, investment and economic benefits that my constituency receives through being home to the best racecourse in the country at Haydock Park?
Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Graham Peter Jones (Labour, Centre-left): My constituency has 54 FOBTs. Some £2.5 million was lost on these machines last year and £15 million has been lost since 2008 in a deprived constituency. The recent report by the Institute for Public Policy Research and GambleAware said that it is costing the UK £1.2 billion to look after the victims of gambling—people who are addicted and have various problems. What assessment has the Minister done of the cost to the UK Government of looking after people who will continue to be affected if the £50 option is chosen, because it is still such a high stake?
Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Eleanor Claire Reeves (Labour, Centre-left): On Thursday, I visited a residential gambling rehabilitation centre in my constituency, which provides a 14-week programme for about half a dozen residents at any one time. It is run by the Gordon Moody Association, and demand for the service outstrips what it can offer. Will the Minister commend the vital work of the Gordon Moody Association and commit to a compulsory levy on the industry to fund such vital work?
Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Lindon Lammy (Labour, Centre-left): I consider the Minister a friend, not least because we support the same football team—Tottenham Hotspur, the best in the premiership—but she will know that I have campaigned for over seven years on this issue, and in my view it was a complete mistake to introduce these machines to the high street. This is not just about a reduction in the stake, so will she say a little more about reducing the proliferation of betting shops across our country and our high streets?
Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Stephen Creswell Timms (Labour, Centre-left): The Minister will know that the scale of harm being inflicted by these appalling machines in my area prompted Newham Council to lead calls for a £2 maximum stake. We have heard fears today that, if that happens, the number of betting shops could be almost halved around the country. May I reassure the Minister that if the number of betting shops in East Ham’s high street was halved, there would still be too many? Will she please get on and introduce the £2 maximum stake as quickly as possible?
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Nicklaus Thomas-Symonds (Labour, Centre-left): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek the advice of the Chair on a situation that has arisen with a constituency matter. Constituents bought tickets from an organisation known as Viagogo, and then wanted a refund for those tickets. They were unsuccessful in that, and sought the advice of my office. My office has been unsuccessful in contacting the organisation, whether via email, telephone call, or even being able to find an address to write to. I seek your advice, Mr Speaker, on what can be done to encourage this organisation to respond to my constituency office in standing up for my constituents.
Finance Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Other
Rosalie Winterton (Labour, Centre-left): Order. I am sure that when the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Alex Burghart) responds, he will ensure that his words are directly relevant to new clause 1. This is an important issue and I am sure that Members would not want people to think that we were treating it light-heartedly. We should be taking it very seriously.
Finance Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Geraint Richard Davies (Labour, Centre-left): What the Minister says is true so far as it goes, but I recently met representatives of Man, with which the Minister will be familiar. At £100 billion, Man runs the biggest hedge fund across Europe. They want robust, predictable and understandable regulation to provide certainty for investors, rather than slackness that allows people to creep through holes and exploit loopholes. They want to know where they are. They do not necessarily want a race to the bottom; they just want a reliable system for investing over the long term.
Finance Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Mixed Topics
Peter Christopher Dowd (Labour, Centre-left): I thank the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Alex Burghart) for referring to Plutarch, a Greek citizen who became a Roman citizen—but not a non-dom in that country. Our new clause would require a review to be undertaken on the effects of "the provisions for the protection of overseas trusts in relation to deemed domicile." Like Queen Gertrude in "Hamlet", Conservative Members protest too much. Why can we not have a review? That is all the new clause asks for: a review. What is wrong with a review Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.
Finance Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Mixed Topics
Rosalie Winterton (Labour, Centre-left): With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 2, page 14, leave out lines 20 to 23 This amendment is consequential upon Amendment 1. Amendment 3, page 14, leave out lines 27 and 28 and insert— "(2) "Injury" in subsection (1) includes— (a) psychiatric injury, and (b) injured feelings." This amendment explicitly includes (rather than excludes) injured feelings within the definition of "injury" for the purposes of payments which are excluded from the provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 6 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (payments and benefits on termination of employment).
Finance Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Other
Anneliese Jane Dodds (Labour, Centre-left): If I may finish, I will be more than happy to take an intervention To use an appropriate analogy on Halloween, I would not have bought a pumpkin last weekend if I expected it to sit on the shelf when I brought it home. I would have bought it because I expected to carve it, although not very artistically, for my children. I would not purchase something if I did not think I was going to use it, so why are we spending valuable parliamentary time debating a measure that will never be used?
Finance Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Civil Rights
Anneliese Jane Dodds (Labour, Centre-left): If we are talking about payments made for discrimination in the context of a redundancy payment, yes, they are. That is our exact point, which is why we are discussing this matter about injury to feelings. We have had some comments in this House which appear to misunderstand the nature of injury to feelings payments. In some cases, these have been trivialised, almost suggesting that these payments are made because an employees’ nose has been put out of joint rather than something potentially more serious. But "injury to feelings" is a substantive legal category. Where there is genuine evidence of misuse of this category, that should be stamped out, but we have not been provided with such evidence as part of our deliberations on the Bill. Injury to feelings is related directly to discrimination experienced by a person because of their characteristics as an individual—their age, gender, sexual orientation, disability status or ethnicity. This should be taken seriously and it should not be a focus for penalising individuals, as is the case under these proposals. Again, as my hon. Friend suggested, this appears to be part of a piece, with more general measures watering down the protection to individuals suffering from discrimination at work, whether or not they take that discrimination to a tribunal. Clearly, tribunal fees have been struck down because of their discriminatory impact. Now measures are popping up that water down individuals’ protections in other ways.
Finance Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Civil Rights
Anneliese Jane Dodds (Labour, Centre-left): Again, I would be very careful to separate out tribunal awards that are made in the context of discrimination at work, which is not what we are talking about, from awards that might relate to redundancy, which is what we are focused on. In relation to discrimination generally, there has been a long-running discussion about what the rates should be for different bands. If one looks at the average award, or, even better, the median award, we are not talking about massive sums of money. It is very important that the public receive that message. For example, someone who has experienced discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is generally receiving much less than £10,000—I regret that I cannot recall the exact figure. It is very important that we do not give the impression that people are somehow holding companies to ransom in this area. Indeed, that is perhaps underlying some of the change that has been forced on the Government through the court decision that we should not have tribunal fees, because these tribunals are being used not vexatiously, but purposely for people to protect their rights at work In conclusion, Labour’s message on this Finance Bill is clear. We felt that it offered an opportunity to reboot our economy, to deal with our massive productivity challenges and our cost of living crisis, and to shore up public finances by sealing loopholes for the very best-off people and biggest multinational companies. Instead, we have a series of missed opportunities and measures focused on soft targets, rather than on those who can afford expensive accountants and engage in complex schemes to avoid tax.