argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Cross-border Economic Opportunities — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to my hon. Friend for reminding us of that iconic "Gavin and Stacey" scene where Smithy is struggling to get into Wales because he has to pay the £6.70 toll charge to cross the bridge. I would point out to my hon. Friend that tolls have been reduced by 20% in the interim, and by the end of the year they will be abolished. That will be one of the biggest stimuluses for the Welsh economy in decades. It will provide the opportunity for more and better-paid jobs, and a £100 million boost to the Welsh economy. This is an opportunity for the south-west of England and south Wales to come together as an economic powerhouse to provide better opportunities in the western side of the UK.
Cross-border Economic Opportunities — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Transportation
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady makes an important point about public transport in general. The Great Western franchise is out for consultation as we speak, and I encourage her, her constituents and south Wales Members to make representations about the improvements they would like. She talked about overcrowding, but one of the most overcrowded roads in the UK is around the Brynglas tunnels in Newport. I hope the Welsh Government get on with building that road sooner rather than later. After all, the UK Government made money available more than three years ago, and we are frustrated by the lack of response and reaction in building it.
Cross-border Economic Opportunities — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): I am disappointed with the hon. Gentleman’s tone. I would point to significant wins for Wales over recent years, the most important of which is the fair funding settlement, which provided a 5% uplift—it will be a £67 million uplift in the next financial year and similar sums in subsequent years. Thirteen years of underfunding by the Labour party have been corrected in the first year of a Conservative Administration.
Cross-border Economic Opportunities — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Transportation
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful for my right hon. Friend’s support for the call to abolish the Severn tolls, because that really will be a major boost to his constituency and constituencies across the whole of south Wales. After all, can he imagine a £6.70 charge to do any business between Cardiff and Newport and the impact that that would have? Well, that is really what has been in place between his constituency and the south Wales economy for more than 50 years. Abolishing the tolls is a commitment on which I am pleased to be able to deliver.
Cross-border Economic Opportunities — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Energy
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): I join the hon. Lady in recognising the Welsh Assembly for its recognition by Stonewall; that is something to be accepted, underlined and recognised. I also recognise, as a City supporter, the success that Swansea had last night. She raises an important point about the Swansea bay tidal lagoon. As I have said previously, I really would like this to happen, as would the whole of the UK Government. After all, we gave planning permission for it after the 2015 general election. We would like to see progress on it, but, clearly, it must be value for money. The Welsh Government have communicated with the UK Government about something that they call "an offer". Last week, officials from my office, the Welsh Government, and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy met to establish what this offer amounts to. We will continue discussions. I point out to her that she needs to look at the jobs that will be created in the long term, and not those thousands of jobs that she talked about, because the project itself will deliver 40 or more jobs.
Cross-border Economic Opportunities — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Education
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): Apprenticeships are part of the UK Government’s manifesto, and we are grateful to the Welsh Government and recognise that they have followed the ambition that we set out for apprenticeships. I also point out and pay tribute to the Welsh Government for their action over changing the voting structures, but remind the hon. Lady about who gave them the power to do that in the first place, after it was refused for 13 years by Labour.
Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Social Welfare
Questions: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing the time taken to make universal credit payments in Wales.; What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing the time taken to make universal credit payments in Wales.
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): Diolch yn fawr, Mr Llefarydd. Rwy’n ddiolchgar i’m cydweithwyr am y croeso cynnes At the Budget, the Chancellor announced that all claimants will be eligible for universal credit from the first day that they claim it, removing the seven waiting days.
Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Labor
Questions: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing the time taken to make universal credit payments in Wales.; What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing the time taken to make universal credit payments in Wales.
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): I loved the hon. Gentleman’s introduction The need for reform was absolutely clear. Under the old system, people had to go to the Department for Work and Pensions, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the local housing authority and, potentially, more organisations. We are now simplifying the process so that we have a system that encourages people into work. Surely, we should all welcome that. We are rolling the scheme out slowly to ensure that we are learning lessons, and that is exactly what we have done. The Chancellor made the announcement in the Budget so that we improve the system to ensure that people have the money they need when they apply.
Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Social Welfare
Questions: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing the time taken to make universal credit payments in Wales.; What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing the time taken to make universal credit payments in Wales.
Iain Aitken Stewart (Conservative, Centre-right): I warmly welcome my hon. Friend to the Dispatch Box. May I urge him, in looking at the administrative changes to universal credit, not to lose sight of the overarching goal, which is to have a simpler welfare system that actually encourages people into work—a far cry from the old system that it is replacing?
Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Labor
Questions: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing the time taken to make universal credit payments in Wales.; What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing the time taken to make universal credit payments in Wales.
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): I am delighted to take a question from my hon. Friend, and I mean that in the sincerest sense. He is absolutely right. Unemployment in Wales is currently 73,000, which represents a decrease of 52,000 since 2010. People are going back into work because universal credit is encouraging that. Under the old system, people who worked a minute over 16 hours would lose their whole jobseeker’s allowance. There was no incentive to get into work, which is why we have introduced this new system.
Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Social Welfare
Questions: What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing the time taken to make universal credit payments in Wales.; What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing the time taken to make universal credit payments in Wales.
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): First, I thank the hon. Gentleman for the warm welcome, which I much appreciate. It is important to recognise that, with PIP, we are bringing in a system to try to help people live with the conditions they have. If we compare the systems, 29% of PIP claimants are receiving the highest possible support, compared with just 15% for disability living allowance. I have only been in this job a few weeks, but I will be taking this up with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and will report back.
Broadband: Rural Areas — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Technology
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): Superfast broadband is now available to more than 19 out of 20 UK homes and businesses, including 95% of premises in Wales. That underlines the progress made in recent years thanks to our investment of £69 million in Wales, plus an additional £56 million gainshare to be reinvested.
Broadband: Rural Areas — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Technology
Michael Louis David Fabricant (Conservative, Centre-right): That investment is working. In Gwynedd, for example, it was previously only possible to get a download speed of 0.9 megabits per second. In Merionethshire, Openreach has now given fibre to the home that delivers at least 75 megabits per second. That is great, but what can the Government do to provide a legal obligation for everyone to have a right to broadband?
Broadband: Rural Areas — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Technology
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is quite right to highlight the importance of good connectivity through broadband, particularly in our rural areas, if we are to maximise the economic benefits. We have decided that regulation is the best way to ensure that everyone in the UK has a decent broadband connection. A regulatory universal service obligation will give everyone in the UK access to speeds of at least 10 megabits per second by 2020.
Broadband: Rural Areas — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Technology
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): No, actually I was a member of the Young Conservatives then. We are determined to roll out broadband and to achieve the 2020 target. It will be incumbent on us, as the UK Government, to work with the Welsh Government to ensure that broadband is rolled out to every part.
Broadband: Rural Areas — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Technology
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): Let us not forget that the roll-out of broadband is the responsibility of the Welsh Government. As the hon. Gentleman will know, because we have already had a conversation about this, this could form an important part of the mid-Wales growth deal. That will be incredibly important in making a successful growth deal for the area.
Broadband: Rural Areas — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Technology
Stephen Crabb (Conservative, Centre-right): For the households in Pembrokeshire in my constituency that have been told they cannot get broadband, the roll-out coverage is not 95%; it is zero. Will the Minister provide assurance that he will keep working with colleagues in the UK Government and Welsh Government to see that we connect up the whole of Wales?
Broadband: Rural Areas — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Technology
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): I absolutely accept that we have to ensure that broadband is rolled out to every part of Wales. Pembrokeshire is equally important, and my right hon. Friend is a big champion of his constituency and area. I am a little bit disappointed in the Welsh Government’s roll-out priorities, but we will continue to work to ensure that we deliver the roll-out that we have promised and envisaged.
Cross-border Transport — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Transportation
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): I hold regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and the Welsh Government on modernising cross-border transport connectivity. With 50% of the Welsh population living within 25 miles of the border, improving connectivity is central to delivering economic growth on both sides.
Cross-border Transport — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Transportation
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): The tolls on the Severn crossing have been there for more than 50 years, and the Mersey Gateway bridge has very different levels of tolls from those that were levied on the Severn crossing. Locals will not have to pay on the Mersey Gateway bridge, other than the £10 administration fee; locals around the Severn tolls have had to pay the full charge for 50 years.
Cross-border Transport — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Transportation
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman and to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian C. Lucas), who has highlighted the importance of the Wrexham to Bidston line. It forms part of our cross-border growth strategy and is reflected in the UK’s industrial strategy. I spoke with the Welsh Government’s Transport Minister on Monday to discuss the project and we will be updating the hon. Gentlemen and the House in due course.
Cross-border Transport — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Transportation
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): Again, the hon. Gentleman highlights the importance of cross-border connectivity. I would point him to the second road investment strategy for England, which will provide an opportunity to highlight the priority. A million people a week cross that border between north Wales and the north-west of England; 2,000 go to Airbus alone.
Cross-border Transport — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Transportation
Antoinette Geraldine Sherratt (Sandbach) (Conservative, Centre-right): Does the Secretary of State agree that the UK Government’s investment in the Halton curve significantly improves rail services between my constituency and north Wales, and that there was a missed opportunity with the Welsh Labour Government in the failure to include that train line in the TEN-T network in the last round of European funding?
Cross-border Transport — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Transportation
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): The Halton curve, which is approaching £18 million in terms of the spending cap, is an exciting project because it is a relatively simple, straightforward investment that will bring direct services to Liverpool again, improving cross-border connectivity, and releasing new opportunities for economic growth and development. We want to integrate it into both the north-west of England and the Wales and borders franchises.
Welsh EU Continuity Bill — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: International Affairs
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): We continue to have constructive discussions with the Welsh Government on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, with a view to securing the National Assembly’s support for the legislation. The Welsh Government have not discussed with us their proposals for an EU continuity Bill, but we do believe that such legislation will be unnecessary.
Welsh EU Continuity Bill — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: International Affairs
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): First, I do not believe that the continuity Bill is actually needed. We are engaging heavily, at every level of government, with the devolved Administrations to ensure that we go through the EU (Withdrawal) Bill to ensure that the clauses that we want to amend in the other place will be effective. Then will get the support of those Assemblies.
Welsh EU Continuity Bill — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: International Affairs
Stuart James Andrew (Conservative, Centre-right): I know that Bristol City’s emblem is a robin, so maybe it is trying to interfere with Welsh questions We have many assessments as we go through this process. We will look at all of them in great detail and ensure that we come up with an effective resolution that suits every single part of the United Kingdom, because having a statute book that is fit for purpose is incredibly important once we leave the European Union.
Leaving the EU: Welsh Economy — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: International Affairs
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on new opportunities that leaving the European Union brings to Wales and the UK. Wales was the fastest-growing nation in the UK in 2016 and is well placed to seize the opportunities presented.
Leaving the EU: Welsh Economy — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Foreign Trade
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman points to the opportunities for new trade deals, which are exciting for every part of the United Kingdom. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has re-established the UK’s Board of Trade. We have the privilege of having Lord Rowe-Beddoe, a former chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, as well as Heather Stevens, a very successful business lady, who is part of the Board of Trade and will be looking after Welsh interests on all occasions.
Leaving the EU: Welsh Economy — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Foreign Trade
Alun Hugh Cairns (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman knows that we are working to deliver a trade agreement that leads to frictionless trade between the UK and the European Union, but I would also point out that, as 80% of Welsh exports go to the rest of the UK, maintaining the integrity of the UK market should be our first priority.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: International Affairs
David Roy Lidington (Conservative, Centre-right): I have been asked to reply. Mr right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is in China, building on the existing strong ties between our two countries, and she is accompanied by the largest business delegation that this Government have yet led.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Labor
David Roy Lidington (Conservative, Centre-right): I completely understand the anxiety that must be affecting the apprentices and their families in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency. He probably heard me say during last week’s debates that the Construction Industry Training Board has taken responsibility for finding alternative employers to enable all those apprentices who were with Carillion to continue and complete their qualifications. It is making good progress in that work, but I shall ensure that the particular concern that he has expressed about Gateshead is brought to its attention On the broader question, the House will understand that it would be wrong for me to pre-empt findings by an independent inquiry by the official receiver, but we have already made it clear that we will be publishing proposals later this year to stop directors being able to siphon off pension funds in the way the hon. Gentleman described.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Technology
Questions: My right hon. Friend will be aware that the country faces significant cyber-threats from other countries and from non-state actors. He will also be aware that we are protected from those by our security and intelligence services, including the men and women at GCHQ in my county of Gloucestershire. When the Government publish the results of the security review, will he confirm that we will continue, as we have since 2010, to invest in those capabilities to keep our country safe?
David Roy Lidington (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is absolutely correct and I am happy to give him that assurance on behalf of the Government. The sad truth is that, in this country, we face a growing threat of cyber-attacks from states, from serious crime gangs and from hacking groups. We do have a robust national cyber-security strategy to protect critical services, including our democratic processes, and that is underpinned by nearly £2 billion of Government investment.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: My right hon. Friend will be aware that the country faces significant cyber-threats from other countries and from non-state actors. He will also be aware that we are protected from those by our security and intelligence services, including the men and women at GCHQ in my county of Gloucestershire. When the Government publish the results of the security review, will he confirm that we will continue, as we have since 2010, to invest in those capabilities to keep our country safe?
David Roy Lidington (Conservative, Centre-right): I am slightly baffled by the right hon. Lady’s comments when compared with what her party did in office, because it was the last Labour Government who raised the legal age for buying cigarettes to 18, raised the age for sales of knives to 18, raised the age for buying fireworks to 18 and raised the age for using a sunbed to 18. If she wants a lesson in inconsistency, she might like to examine the mirror.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2018-01-31
Topic: Macroeconomics
Questions: My right hon. Friend will be aware that the country faces significant cyber-threats from other countries and from non-state actors. He will also be aware that we are protected from those by our security and intelligence services, including the men and women at GCHQ in my county of Gloucestershire. When the Government publish the results of the security review, will he confirm that we will continue, as we have since 2010, to invest in those capabilities to keep our country safe?; The Government’s policy on tax has made the UK one of the most competitive places to do business, as was confirmed by the recent growth figures. Does my right hon. Friend agree, therefore, that raising tax would damage the UK economy, as we have seen in Scotland, where growth has fallen behind the rest of the UK?
David Roy Lidington (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very happy to agree with my hon. Friend. We devolved new powers from this House to Holyrood, and it is obviously for the Scottish Government to determine how to use them. It is a matter of great regret, however, that they have chosen to use those powers to break their promises and penalise aspiration in Scotland. In our Budget, we increased the Scottish Government’s spending power by £2 billion, so the SNP has no excuse for hiking the taxes of hard-working people, including public servants, and penalising businesses. The leader of the Scottish nationalists in Westminster used to champion wealth creation and free enterprise. I hope he will ask the First Minister of Scotland to think again.