argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-25
Topic: Government Operations
Mary Josephine Robinson (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the hon. Lady for pointing that out because that is exactly the case. I wonder how many MPs realise the requirements that the legislation places on them and whether they understand how best to fulfil them I want to think about those who have come forward and blown the whistle because they are the people we are talking about—ordinary, working people who first alerted us not only to issues in the national health service, but to furlough fraud during the pandemic, as they went to work knowing that their employers were also claiming moneys through the job retention scheme. Other workers have blown the whistle on failures to implement social distancing in the workplace and inadequate personal protective equipment provision. In doing so, they have helped protect people from exploitation and from exposure to the virus. Meanwhile, reports of the Chinese regime retaliating against whistleblowing doctors such as Li Wenliang, who raised the alarm about the virus in December, demonstrate more starkly than ever that failure to listen to whistleblowers costs a million lives and causes a global economic crisis In my view, every Department stands to benefit from reform. Whistleblowing has been and is vital to the Treasury’s efforts to combat financial fraud, the Home Office’s fight against modern slavery, the Department for Education’s attempts to root out malpractice, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s efforts to address procurement malpractice and fraud in local authorities and the wider public sector, as well as the uncovering of child sexual exploitation in Greater Manchester and Rotherham I wish the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire every success. I hope that we can work together. In my view, working together on important legislation that will be robust and fit for purpose is what we all want. I urge the Minister to work with Departments to ensure that they are behind a Bill that could really make a difference to valuing whistleblowers and changing our practices.
R&D Road Map — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Technology
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): In July, the Government published their ambitious R&D road map, reaffirming our commitment to cement the UKs position as a science superpower. We will revitalise our whole system of science, research and innovation to release its potential, and our investment in multiple disciplines and methodologies will be guided by expert researchers.
Support for Businesses: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Environment
Alun Craig Williams (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Secretary of State for that answer and for the support to date. When we emerge from the current crisis, we must build back in an environmentally sustainable way and ensure that we are on track to meet our net zero target. What is he doing to deliver carbon capture and storage across the UK, to ensure that manufacturing and agricultural businesses have certainty, with net zero in mind?
Support for Businesses: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I agree with my hon. Friend: we need to build back better and build back greener. CCS will be an essential part of the transformation to a low-carbon economy, and it presents an opportunity for the creation of high-value jobs, which we want to see in our country. We have already announced a CCS infrastructure fund of £800 million to deploy carbon capture and storage in at least two industrial clusters over the next decade.
Support for Businesses: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
James Michael Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): Many businesses in the Vale of Clwyd welcome the measures that the Chancellor announced last week, but some local and regional employers of all sizes still face significant challenges—none more so than Airbus. Will my right hon. Friend recommit to doing all he can to support Airbus and its highly skilled staff at this particularly uncertain time?
Support for Businesses: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Labor
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): Let me assure the right hon. Gentleman that this Department does stand up for businesses. We have a very regular dialogue with sectors on an ongoing basis. As I said, I acknowledge that some of them are facing particular difficulties. As he himself knows from his time in government, we are not going to be able to protect every single job—very, very sadly—but that is why we are providing extra support in the welfare system but also, really importantly, in support with skills and, indeed, apprenticeships and the kickstart scheme for young people, so that we can help people into better jobs.
Support for Businesses: Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): The Chairman of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee of course raises an important point, and he will know that I have come to the House on previous occasions and outlined the detailed discussions we have. I set up a range of taskforces, where we had discussions on issues around the industrial strategy back in June, and we converse on a daily basis with sectors across the country.
Scotch Whisky Tariffs — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Foreign Trade
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): My Department is working closely with the Department for International Trade to secure a swift settlement of the ongoing aerospace dispute to the benefit of all UK industries, including Scotch whisky, and demonstrating our commitment to free and fair trade.
Scotch Whisky Tariffs — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Foreign Trade
David Gordon Mundell (Conservative, Centre-right): Does the Minister recognise that it is very important to resolve this issue within the current presidential term? Will his Department therefore take forward urgent measures to resolve, bilaterally, the Airbus-Boeing dispute so that we can get these damaging tariffs removed from Scotch whisky, as I say, during the current presidential term?
Scotch Whisky Tariffs — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: International Affairs
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): I reassure my right hon. Friend that the Government are urgently seeking a negotiated settlement of this dispute and are exploring all options. The imminent award of retaliatory rights should incentivise the US to engage in discussions to reach a fair and balanced settlement.
Reducing Business Emissions — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng (Conservative, Centre-right): As my hon. Friend knows, helping businesses reduce emissions is crucial to delivering our net zero commitment. To tackle some of our highest carbon-intensive businesses, we have just launched the £289 million industrial energy transformation fund, and we are also extending the £300 million climate change agreements scheme to incentivise businesses to invest in energy efficiency.
Reducing Business Emissions — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Environment
Neil Quentin Gordon Parish (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Minister very much for his answer. The business sector has successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over 30% since 1990. However, emissions from business transport are counted separately, and transport emissions have gone down only by 3% since 1990. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that we have a great opportunity in the UK to be a world leader in green transport—from electric vehicles to hydrogen lorries—and will he work closely with the Treasury to incentivise businesses to use more low emission vehicles in the future?
Support for Manufacturing — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Amanda Jane Solloway (Conservative, Centre-right): BEIS continues to engage with industry and suppliers to ensure that we can support our manufacturing sectors during and after the covid-19 crisis. This includes an unprecedented package of Government support to help with business continuity and drive recovery after the pandemic.
Support for Manufacturing — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Amanda Jane Solloway (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government have helped our steel industry to compete globally by providing more than £480 million in relief to the sector for electricity costs since 2013. We want to ensure that UK steel producers can compete for and win contracts associated with domestic infrastructure investments, including HS2. We are working closely with the sector and other relevant parties to realise these opportunities.
Support for Manufacturing — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Simon Robert Maurice Baynes (Conservative, Centre-right): Manufacturing industries in my constituency such as Cadbury’s in Chirk—part of the Mondelēz group—Barnett Engineering in Rhos and Ifor Williams Trailers in Cynwyd are the bedrock of the country’s manufacturing sector. Will the Minister comment on how the Chancellor’s announcement of economic measures last week will help these manufacturing companies through the coronavirus crisis?
Support for Manufacturing — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Amanda Jane Solloway (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the measures announced by the Chancellor last week and agree that manufacturing is a key component of the UK’s thriving industrial sector. The job support scheme will provide eligible manufacturing businesses in Clwyd South with a grant covering one third of all employees’ wages for hours not worked, up to a cap of £697.92 a month. Furthermore, the deadline for applications for coronavirus business interruption loans and the future fund has now been extended to 30 November.
Support for Manufacturing — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Amanda Jane Solloway (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady will know that the Government are absolutely committed to making sure that businesses are the future of the economy and that we need to get the economy back on track. We have invested billions of pounds making sure that we have all the schemes in place that will enable this economy to thrive.
Marine Energy Sector — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend will know that the Government have a long history of supporting the development of marine technologies. Since 2010, we have provided £80 million in research and development funding, and last month we published a call for evidence on the potential of marine energy, and we are looking forward to those responses.
Marine Energy Sector — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Sally-Ann Hart (Conservative, Centre-right): Will my hon. Friend please update the House on progress that has been made on the development of wind and wave technology around the coastline, as I know that the Crown Estate is looking at the development of wind farms off the south-east coast, near my constituency of Hastings and Rye?
Marine Energy Sector — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is quite right. In addition to the proposed extension to the Rampion offshore wind farm off Brighton, I understand that there is significant market interest in the Crown Estate’s current seabed leasing round, and that, we expect, will include areas off the coast of the south-east of England, near my hon. Friend’s constituency.
Automotive Sector: Environmentally Sustainable Recovery — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Environment
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend will know that we continue to support the transformation of the sector towards zero-emission vehicles. Last autumn, we announced up to £1 billion of new funding for the next generation of innovative, low-carbon automotive technologies. A competition, as we speak, is under way.
Automotive Sector: Environmentally Sustainable Recovery — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Joy Inboden Morrissey (Conservative, Centre-right): As we recover from the economic effects of the coronavirus, it is vital that we build back greener. Can my hon. Friend reassure me that he is backing the innovators who are working on decarbonising our automobile industry—companies such as Gridserve Sustainable Energy—and who can get their cutting edge ideas on to the market, supporting green jobs along the way?
Automotive Sector: Environmentally Sustainable Recovery — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Karl McCartney (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for his earlier answer. Vehicle regulations regarding electric vehicles, I am told, now come under the auspices of the electricity at work regulations. Not many garages realise that and as electric cars have the equivalent to domestic three-phase electricity amounts of stored energy that can kill very easily, what is he doing to ensure that we do not lead the world in deaths in this sector?
Automotive Sector: Environmentally Sustainable Recovery — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I am very keen to secure battery manufacturing capability in the United Kingdom, and I am very supportive of discussions with potential investors about their requirements. As he knows, we are currently calling on industry to put forward investment proposals for gigafactories.
Automotive Sector: Environmentally Sustainable Recovery — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Transportation
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): We have, as the hon. Member rightly mentioned, consulted on bringing forward the end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 to 2035, or earlier if a fast transition appears feasible, as well as including hybrids for the first time. We will announce the outcome in due course. I remind him that we are investing £2.5 billion in grants for plug-in passenger commercial vehicles and more than 18,000 publicly available charging devices, including 3,200 rapid devices: one of the largest networks in Europe. I want to see him supporting that endeavour rather than talking it down.
Businesses and Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sorry that the hon. Member does not feel that speaking to 3,000 or 4,000 businesses over the past few months to understand their issues is good enough. None the less, I understand the concern of the hospitality sector and other sectors in South Shields in particular, where there are local restrictions. It is so important that we get the economy up and running as soon as we can. The Government’s first priority is to save lives, but to save businesses and livelihoods is just as important.
Businesses and Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government have put in £160 billion-worth of support, wrapping our arms around as much of the economy as we can. We have put off business rates for these businesses. We have extended the VAT cut for another few months for the hospitality sector in particular. We will continue to see what more we can do to keep our economy open.
UK Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Foreign Trade
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): Ministers have clearly set out the benefits to all UK businesses of ensuring that goods and services can flow freely across the UK. That is in Scotland’s interests, given that it exports more to the rest of the UK than to the EU. The hon. Gentleman will have noticed that I have spent about 12 hours on these Benches with the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich North (Chloe Smith), having discussions and debating this issue.
UK Internal Market Bill — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): Spending from the UK Government will be complementary to that coming from the Scottish Government. We want to add to that and to make sure that the UK economy can flourish. Scottish business will be at risk without the regulatory certainty of this Bill, so we want to prevent additional layers of complexity.
Merseyside: Sustainable Energy Production — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng (Conservative, Centre-right): I reassure the hon. Lady that we are looking with great interest at the Mersey tidal project and that the Government have already funded the north-west energy hub so that we can drive huge opportunities for the region in renewable energy. I know that BEIS officials recently met representatives from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to discuss the very Mersey tidal project that she mentions.
Employment Practices — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Labor
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): Any discrimination when selecting people for redundancy would be not only wrong, but unlawful. Employees with the necessary qualifying service can bring a claim to an employment tribunal where they believe that they have been unfairly selected for redundancy.
Employment Practices — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Law and Crime
Paul Stuart Scully (Conservative, Centre-right): We work closely with the enforcement body to make sure that it can do its job and we resource it accordingly. We are also looking to the long term to see what more we can do for better enforcement in these matters.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Labor
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): Some 9.6 million jobs have been supported through the coronavirus job retention scheme and millions of people have now moved off furlough and back into work. The job support scheme and other measures, such as the extension of our temporary VAT cut for the hospitality and tourism sectors, demonstrate our commitment to supporting businesses and workers.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I completely understand the concerns that colleagues have about the sectors that are not open. I can only reiterate, without going into full details, that we continue to have discussions with those sectors. The hon. Gentleman talks about the particular sector that he knows, which is the responsibility of another Secretary of State, but I have spoken to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport about those issues in the past day or two. We will continue to have discussions I say to the hon. Gentleman that we are trying to make sure that the economy stays open, and the vast majority of the economy is open, but we need to do that in a safe way. If we all play our part, we will be in a position where we can reopen the rest of the economy and move to some sense of normality.
Advanced Nuclear Reactors — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): The UK is fast becoming an exciting place for developing small and advanced nuclear reactor technologies. That is why we have recently invested over £130 million to support their development. We will shortly be undertaking a comprehensive assessment of siting requirements, including suitability, safety and security.
Jobs and Covid-19 — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State addressed refreshing the industrial strategy, and, of course, manufacturing absolutely remains central to our industrial strategy. Some 65% of research and development is delivered by manufacturing in the UK. We remain the ninth largest manufacturer in the world, so manufacturing will be front and centre of our long-term investment in our green, sustainable recovery.
State Aid — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): Government Departments consider the impact of any support they provide and the Government’s recent covid-19 measures have been hugely welcomed by businesses. Our upcoming consultation on subsidy control will allow us to gather views on how to ensure those measures continue to be effective in achieving our economic objectives.
State Aid — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): We have had this debate, of course, during the passage of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill over the past few days. Subsidy control has never been a devolved matter. The right hon. Lady is absolutely right. We have always been clear that the regulation of subsidy control is a reserved matter. There will be a consultation, but ultimately we want to promote a competitive and dynamic economy throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.
High-tech Industry — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Technology
Amanda Jane Solloway (Conservative, Centre-right): The UK has one of the most vibrant and innovative tech sectors in the world, and it has been highly resilient through the pandemic. We are providing a wide range of support for high-tech industries, including the artificial intelligence sector deal, the industrial strategy challenge fund and the £1.25 billion coronavirus package of support for innovative firms.
High-tech Industry — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Technology
Anthony James Holland Mangnall (Conservative, Centre-right): The Minister will be aware of the value of the photonics industry to the UK economy. My constituency is home to the EPIC Centre in Paignton and its own site in Brixham. Given the leading value it has in the manufacturing industry and in quantum photonics, what support will it be given, along the lines of the research and development roadmap?
High-tech Industry — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Technology
Amanda Jane Solloway (Conservative, Centre-right): Indeed, I know about the excellent work in Totnes. The Government recognise the important contribution made to the UK economy by the photonics industry and its underpinning role in growing the UK’s quantum technology sector. Successive Governments have supported the growth of the sector with R&D investment. As the Government implement our ambitious "UK research and development roadmap", published in July, investing in cross-cutting technologies and realising the potential for regional strengths will be vital to making the most of the UK’s potential and becoming a science superpower.
Nuclear Power and Decarbonisation — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): Nuclear power, which is a safe, reliable and low-carbon source of power, has a key role to play, alongside other technologies such as renewables, as we transition our energy system to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Nuclear Power and Decarbonisation — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Virginia Ann Crosbie (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Minister for his answer. The recent withdrawal of Hitachi from the Wylfa Newydd nuclear project in my constituency is exceptionally disappointing. I would like to thank the Isle of Anglesey County Council, Annwen Morgan, Llinos Medi Huws and all those at the council who worked so hard on the project, the team at Horizon and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Most importantly, I would like to thank the communities of Ynys Môn for their support, patience and vision. Vision is hope with a plan—
Nuclear Power and Decarbonisation — House of Commons, 2020-09-29
Topic: Energy
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): I want to add one more person to that list for her work, and that is my hon. Friend. We recognise that Hitachi’s decision will be disappointing news for the people of north Wales. We remain willing to discuss new nuclear projects with any viable companies and investors wishing to develop the site. It is a great site that has a great amount of backing from the community.