argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Uncollected Tax — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): I suspect that, a couple of weeks ago, the hon. Gentleman walked through the Lobby in support of the charter for fiscal responsibility, which requires us to find £30 billion of savings, either in tax increases or in spending cuts. If he is not prepared to take action in that area, he has to tell his constituents where he is prepared to take action.
Uncollected Tax — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend raises an important question to which I could give a lengthy reply. But what I will say is that, as a Government, we have taken action, for example, to improve the automatic exchange of information between various jurisdictions, so that there is nowhere for people to hide their money. The net is closing in on those who have evaded their taxes, and we are increasingly effective at dealing with tax avoidance as well.
Uncollected Tax — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): We are aware that, since 2010, the economy has had to face challenges, which in 2010 were not anticipated by the OBR to occur in the way that they did. We have had to deal with the eurozone crisis, the high commodity prices at the time and the aftershocks of the financial crisis. The consequences have been significant, but if we want wages to rise we need to improve productivity. That is about improving our education system, and having more apprentices and a competitive tax system, and that is what this Government are delivering.
Uncollected Tax — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): We discovered this morning that in 2014 the UK was the fastest growing major western economy. Employment is at a record level and unemployment has fallen dramatically, contrary to the Opposition’s predictions—but, yes, we have got further to go to reduce the deficit, which is why we need a Government who are prepared to make difficult decisions. All that we have heard from the hon. Gentleman is that he is going to put up fees on gun licences, which is not going to solve the deficit.
Uncollected Tax — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Anthony Brian Baldry (Conservative, Centre-right): Am I right in thinking that under the charter for fiscal responsibility, to which everyone recently signed up, we have made it clear that part of the savings that we are going to make involves bearing down on tax avoidance? Indeed, we have set out clearly exactly where we are going to save every penny of the £30 billion that needs to be saved. How is it possible for anyone to sign up to a charter for fiscal responsibility without making it clear where they are going to make those savings?
Uncollected Tax — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is absolutely right; the Opposition have given no indication of the balance between tax and spending and how they are going to find that £30 billion. At a time when Labour Back Benchers are saying that Syriza shows the way while those on the Labour Front Bench apparently support a £30 billion fiscal tightening, all we get from the Opposition is chaos.
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): The fall in the oil price clearly means that certain sectors such as the North sea face real pressure, which the Chief Secretary and I are determined to help them with, but overall this is a good thing for the United Kingdom and for British families. Today’s GDP figures confirm that the recovery is on track, and our plan is protecting Britain from the economic storm with the fastest growth of any major economy in 2014. However, the international climate is getting worse, and with 100 days to go to the election, now is not the time to abandon the plan and return Britain to economic chaos.
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
Michael Louis David Fabricant (Conservative, Centre-right): We have all noticed that we no longer hear about the cost of living crisis. Could my right hon. Friend tell me precisely how the change in oil prices has affected the retail prices index and how that compares with wage inflation?
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): Inflation is at 0.5% and wages are growing at three times that rate. If the oil price is fully passed on—and we have put pressure on the petrol and utility companies to do so—British families will on average be £750 better off. If we had accepted the ludicrous price freeze proposed by the Opposition we would have locked in those high oil prices and people would not see the benefit in their utility bills.
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Theakstone Percy (Conservative, Centre-right): The good folk of Brigg and Goole have noticed that the price of a gallon of petrol has fallen significantly and they welcome that. Many of my residents, however, are off the grid and their heating oil bills have not necessarily fallen as they should have. What steps can the Chancellor take to put pressure on heating oil companies to make sure that the cost of heating also falls for those residents off the grid, in line with oil prices?
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend has been a champion for his constituents and for all the 1.5 million people who are off the grid and rely on heating oil to warm their homes. That price has fallen by 20%, so people are seeing the benefit of the falling oil price, but we continue to put pressure on the heating oil companies, and we have met them in the Treasury to continue to reinforce the argument that those prices must be passed on and must continue to be passed on.
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): The Chief Secretary and I certainly recognise the pressure on the North sea producers. We want to make sure that we continue to extract the maximum amount of oil from the North sea basin. That is why we cut oil taxes at the autumn statement, published a consultation on the investment allowance and made it clear that further action may be required at the Budget May I draw it to the House’s attention that what the hon. Gentleman calls the softening of the oil price would have done disastrous damage to the finances of an independent Scotland? The Scottish National party’s projections for its oil revenue were out by almost threefold. It is a reminder of the strengths of the United Kingdom that we can bear pressures such as a falling—or, indeed, a rising—oil price across the entire UK.
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): As I said, we have already cut the supplementary charge. I announced that in the autumn statement and it came into effect at the beginning of this year. We have launched a consultation on an investment allowance. We regularly meet the industry; we met industry representatives last week. They think the Budget is the appropriate time to make further announcements, if there are further announcements, on the North sea oil and gas tax regime, but the hon. Lady and the industry have my assurance that we will do everything we can to support the North sea oil and gas industry during this difficult time. Of course it is impacted by the fall in the oil price. We want to make sure that we get the maximum amount of oil out of the North sea and that the record investment that we have seen over the past year is sustained.
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
John Charles Baron (Conservative, Centre-right): Given the financial short-termism of the previous Government, I welcome the Chancellor’s comments about a shale gas fund. When he is Chancellor after the next general election, will he consider expanding the concept to create a North sea sovereign wealth fund for the benefit of the country as a whole?
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): Of course, our challenge is to eliminate the deficit and to get our debt falling. Sovereign wealth funds are built up by countries that run consistent budget surpluses, which is exactly what we need to do in the United Kingdom. In particular, I would like to see some of the revenues from the shale gas industry used to support local communities. That would be a boost to communities across the country, especially in the north of England.
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): I agree with the hon. Lady and I know that she is deeply involved in these issues as the Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South and chairs the all-party committee on these issues. We have to work out how we protect the industry as best we can from a rapid fall in the world oil price, and we must make sure that the brilliant skills, jobs and investment in north-east Scotland continue. That is why we anticipated the challenge by launching the consultation in the autumn statement and making immediate cuts to the tax regime. We have to take further steps over the coming year because we are determined that this brilliant industry will have a brilliant future.
Oil Prices — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Energy
Questions: What assessment he has made of the effects of recent trends in the price of oil on the economy; and if he will make a statement.
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right. As I said at the beginning, the fall in the oil price, for all the challenges it poses in the North sea, is good for the British economy and good for British families. It is being felt at the pump, where petrol is now cheaper than when this Government came into office. One of the reasons why is that we abolished Labour’s fuel duty escalator. As a result, petrol is 20p per litre less than it would have been had we stuck with the shadow Chancellor’s disastrous tax plans. We have to make sure that motorists feel the full benefit of the falling oil price. As I say, it was a good move to abolish that disastrous escalator.
National Insurance — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Labor
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): This Government inherited damaging plans from the previous Government to increase the jobs tax. We responded by reducing the burden of national insurance. Since then, we have introduced an employment allowance that cuts national insurance for almost 1 million firms, and now we are going to cut national insurance for employing under 21-year-olds and young apprentices. These measures have contributed to record falls in unemployment. A rise in the jobs tax of the kind contemplated by Labour would have the reverse effect and destroy jobs.
National Insurance — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Nigel Adams (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very grateful to the Chancellor. Will he join me in congratulating the entrepreneurs and risk takers who, across my constituency, have stepped up to the plate since 2010—so much so that we now have 60% fewer people claiming out-of-work benefits? What further measures can my right hon. Friend deliver to ensure that the economic recovery continues in my part of North Yorkshire?
National Insurance — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Labor
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right that unemployment in his constituency has fallen. Twelve thousand extra jobs have been created in his constituency. That is because local businesses are benefiting from the employment allowance, and there is more to come with the cuts to national insurance for employing under-21s and apprentices. One of the reasons businesses are coming to his constituency is that he is such a champion of his constituency as a place to invest and employ. He goes out of his way to bring businesses and jobs to his constituency. That is why unemployment has fallen so fast there.
National Insurance — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Adam Afriyie (Conservative, Centre-right): It seems to me that we would be wise as a nation to reduce taxation on the activities that we wish to encourage. I therefore very much welcome the reduction in employers’ national insurance, which has created jobs in my constituency, and I suspect in every constituency around the country. Does the Chancellor agree that we would do well to push on with these reductions in employers’ national insurance, which, to all intents and purposes, is a tax on jobs that discourages their creation?
National Insurance — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is a champion of businesses in his constituency. That is one of the reasons unemployment has fallen in Windsor and 2,000 businesses in Windsor are benefiting from our employment allowance. We are going to go on reducing national insurance on employing 21-year-olds and apprentices. The alternative path—the path offered by the Labour party—is to put the jobs tax up. That would increase unemployment and return Britain to the economic mess it was in when Labour was last in charge.
National Insurance — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): We increased the employer’s threshold when we came into office to reverse the damage done by the jobs tax increase proposed by the previous Labour Government. We have used the personal income tax allowance as the best method of lifting people out of income tax. It stands at £10,600, and our long-term economic plan proposes to raise it to £12,500. I am happy to work with the hon. Gentleman on other measures we can undertake to support employment and jobs in Northern Ireland. Is it not absolutely striking that on a question about the jobs tax and a question about unemployment, not a single Labour MP gets up to speak?
Business Support — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Priti Sushil Patel (Conservative, Centre-right): This Government champion British businesses. We are delivering a significant programme of reform to enable businesses to grow, expand and, importantly, become successful. The reforms are all part of the Government’s long-term economic plan to secure business-led economic recovery.
Business Support — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Priti Sushil Patel (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right. [Hon. Members: "Is he a champion?"] He is, indeed, a champion, and a strong voice for his constituency and his constituents. He is of course right in every respect. This Government are backing business every step of the way. Our long-term economic plan is making it easier to start and grow businesses, as he has seen across his constituency.
Business Support — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Priti Sushil Patel (Conservative, Centre-right): To put it bluntly, this Government have turned around not only the economy, but the business environment. This Government have backed British businesses and business lending every step of the way, which is in stark contrast to a Labour Government, under whom that would only go backwards.
Business Support — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Priti Sushil Patel (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend touches on a very significant point. The reality right now is that the reforms are all about long-term economic security. This Government have worked assiduously to ensure that every measure undertaken, whether to back businesses or to create the right tax environment for businesses—he has championed that in his constituency—is the right way forward.
Defined Contribution Pensions — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Labor
Questions: What assessment he has made of the further steps which are necessary to ensure the fair treatment of defined contribution pension customers in response to the recent market reports published by the Financial Conduct Authority; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a second line of defence protection for such pension schemes.
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I congratulate my hon. Friend on expressing the importance of a second line of defence. The Government are determined to give pensioners the opportunity to make their own decisions about what to do with their pension savings. Nevertheless, it is vital to ensure that they have reasonable protections.
Unemployment — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax (Conservative, Centre-right): May I congratulate the Front-Bench team on their economic policy and their long-term economic plan? Unemployment in South Dorset has halved over the past five years. Does the Chief Secretary agree that to hand the country back to the Opposition in a few months’ time would be an absolute disaster for the economic future of this country?
Fiscal Consolidation — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government inherited the largest deficit since the second world war. Since then, we have made substantial progress on reducing the deficit. Borrowing has already fallen by more than a third since 2009-10 and is forecast to have fallen by half this year as a share of GDP. The Government’s consolidation plans have been central to the reduction of the deficit.
Fiscal Consolidation — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Daniel Robert Kawczynski (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Given the eye-watering amount of British taxpayers’ money that is spent on paying the interest on our national debt, I am pleased that the Government have already reduced the annual structural deficit by half. Does he agree that it is vital to continue with the policy of reducing the annual structural deficit in order to tackle our national debt?
Fiscal Consolidation — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): I completely agree with my hon. Friend, who is right to make that point. We need to go on and run an overall surplus, to ensure that our public finances are sustainable over the longer term.
Fiscal Consolidation — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): If we want wages to increase, which we do, we need to improve our education system, ensure that we have a welfare system that makes work pay, improve our infrastructure and have competitive tax systems. In brief, we need a long-term economic plan. That is what we have got with this Government, and it is not what we would have with the Labour party.
Fiscal Consolidation — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend will recognise that getting the deficit under control is vital if we want a strong economy. For all the posturing that we have seen today from the Labour party about the NHS, does he recognise that Greece, which had a smaller deficit to the one we had in this country when we came to power, had to cut spending on health services by 14%? Does he agree that only a strong economy can deliver a strong health service?
Fiscal Consolidation — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): We have turned the British economy around, and we grew faster in 2014 than any major western economy. Employment is increasing and unemployment is falling, including by 40% since 2010 in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency. That is a success.
Northern Powerhouse — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): We are making good progress in building a northern powerhouse. Over the past year, private sector employment in the north has increased by more than 200,000, a faster increase than the national average and faster than in the south. We want to sustain that by investing in new transport, new skills and new science, by devolving power and by bringing our northern areas closer together into that powerhouse.
Northern Powerhouse — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): I am delighted for Scotland that unemployment has fallen and it is seeing growth. I remember, however, that the SNP predicted that our economic plan would cause unemployment to rise in Scotland and shrink the Scottish economy. That has not been the case because Scotland has been part of a stable United Kingdom that is following a long-term economic plan that is benefiting the entire country.
Northern Powerhouse — House of Commons, 2015-01-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Questions: On 4 November at Treasury questions, I raised the issue of Brierfield Mill, the largest redundant mill complex in Lancashire and situated in my constituency. Following that, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Universities, Science and Cities visited the project on 16 January. Now, inexplicably, the Lancashire local enterprise partnership has failed to bid for even a penny of funding as part of the second round of the growth deal. Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet me urgently to discuss Government support for that important project?
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): I am well aware of the economic potential of the Brierfield Mill development and when I met my hon. Friend in Nelson recently we talked about those benefits with local businesses. He is a champion of that development and it is extraordinary that the Lancashire LEP and, in particular, Lancashire county council have not promoted the project. He is promoting the project because he is a champion of his constituency and I will happily meet him to see how we can progress the Brierfield Mill project and bring more jobs to the Pendle constituency.