argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Crown Prosecution Service: Performance — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Law and Crime
Robert James Buckland (Conservative, Centre-right): The CPS in Northamptonshire and the east midlands, like in all other regions, acknowledges that it should never rest on any laurels it might gather. I urge my hon. Friend to meet the chief Crown prosecutors and staff to focus on particular areas where he thinks the CPS in Northamptonshire and the east midlands needs to make progress. Recent quarterly and monthly figures show that in many areas, such as burglary, it has been above average, but I am sure it would welcome his constructive input.
Corrosive Substances: Prosecutions — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Law and Crime
Robert James Buckland (Conservative, Centre-right): Corrosive substance attacks are unacceptable. There is no place in society for these horrendous crimes. Last month, the CPS successfully secured the conviction of nine men for carrying out a violent attack in which a corrosive substance was squirted at bystanders who tried to stop an assault in the street.
Corrosive Substances: Prosecutions — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Law and Crime
Robert James Buckland (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is right to raise the sad connection with gang offending. Sadly, corrosive substances are sometimes used as weapons by gangs in retribution and as a means of enforcement. The CPS guidance identifies that phenomenon and encourages prosecutors to apply for criminal behaviour orders to prevent such gang-related offending.
Royal Albert Hall — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
Robert James Buckland (Conservative, Centre-right): Earlier this year, the Charity Commission wrote to the former Attorney General requesting consent to refer five questions to the first-tier tribunal concerning the registered charity that runs the Royal Albert Hall. Although the Charity Commission has the power to refer questions to the tribunal, it may only do so with the consent of the Attorney General, as set out in section 325 of the Charities Act 2011.
Royal Albert Hall — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
Robert James Buckland (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady has identified the core of the concern in this case. Before assessing whether I or the Attorney General should consent to the Charity Commission’s request, we invited both the corporation of the Royal Albert Hall and the Charity Commission to make further representations. We have received those representations, and we are in the process of considering them with a view to issuing a decision in due course.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Macroeconomics
Sarah James (Wollaston) (Conservative, Centre-right): Devon has successfully piloted the 100% retention of business rates, and it has injected an additional £20 million into Devon to support local economic growth and public services, but the pilot is due to end in March. Surely the whole point is to continue pilots that are a success. Can the Secretary of State provide any reassurance for Devon as to whether it will be able to continue, because it was not in the list of counties that he mentioned?
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Social Welfare
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his comments. I am pleased that he recognises the contribution that city deals have made in Scotland, the contribution that the UK Government are making in Scotland to ensure that that sense of growth and opportunity is felt very firmly, and how we contribute in that way to see that that is felt throughout our United Kingdom. I am sorry that, in some way, he does not fully appreciate and recognise the contribution that we are making. On the point that he makes more broadly in relation to universal credit, obviously, care and attention has been given to this matter by my colleagues, who I am sure will listen to the points that he makes. However, I say to him that the Scottish Government themselves have flexibility over welfare policy and over what they can do to deal with some of the issues and concerns that he has highlighted, and therefore that they have responsibility in that regard.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
Robert James MacGillivray Neill (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the change and elimination of negative revenue support grant; that is most important. Will the Secretary of State confirm also that outer London boroughs such as Bromley will in fact profit as a result of the increases that he has announced, but, when the former is revised, will he also bear in mind the need to take into account those authorities that have a track record of historical efficiency and low cost?
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Macroeconomics
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): As my hon. Friend has highlighted, we do intend to directly eliminate the £152.9 million negative revenue support grant using forgone business rates. That will prevent any local authority from being subject to a downward adjustment to its business rates tariffs and top-ups that could act as a disincentive for growth. I am sure that he will look at the detail of this. Obviously, we have the business rates retention pilots of 75% for London and that long-term sustainable funding arrangement for local government.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Social Welfare
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I recognise the work that the Communities and Local Government Committee does in scrutinising and challenging things in the way that it rightly does on behalf of hon. Members. Obviously, the hon. Gentleman will have noted what I said in relation to negative revenue support grant and other matters within the statement on additional funding that is being made available to local government. Yes, the £650 million is important to support adults and children’s social care and to deal with some of the pressures. That is why I also highlighted the specific fund to drive innovation to help councils that are struggling with some of those pressures to innovate and to make sure that we are raising standards and responding to the needs, acknowledging also that there is other income from council tax and business rates retention growth, too.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I am always sorry to disappoint the hon. Lady, but I will have to do so on that point. However, I can highlight the £3.5 million additional funding from 2018-19 to 2019-20 for Bath and North East Somerset unitary authority. Therefore, we do take account of the differentials in council tax and how grant is applied, and that is very firmly recognised and understood within the system.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Macroeconomics
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I acknowledge the pressures that councils have been experiencing and the hard choices that so many have had to make to deal with the issues with the public finances to which we have had to respond. I hope that my right hon. Friend will recognise the additional funding announced today. Equally, as we head towards the spending review next year, we will look carefully at further efficiencies and opportunities to ensure that councils are sustainable for the long term.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Social Welfare
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): The funding and allocations announced today certainly recognise some of the pressures that councils in Liverpool and elsewhere have been facing—for example, with regard to social care issues. It is important that we recognise those pressures and the growth that has been experienced. The additional funding will assist, but long-term reform is needed through the Green Paper and, in relation to the long-term funding situation, through the spending review. That needs to be addressed next year.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the innovation in East Sussex highlighted by my hon. Friend. That is what I see in local government—the real drive and desire to do the right thing for communities, and to see jobs, growth and prosperity. This Government will continue to support that.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
Robert John Blackman (Conservative, Centre-right): This year is the last year of the multi-year settlement, so what happens to the 3% of councils that did not sign up to the efficiency savings? How are they treated? More importantly, what are the Secretary of State’s plans for the future of multi-year settlements, so that councils can plan for the future?
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I firmly recognise the benefit of multi-year settlements. We have seen this through councils’ ability to plan and to drive efficiencies and effectiveness. As my Department prepares submissions for next year’s spending review, I will reflect carefully on the matter in order to recognise the ability for councils to plan, while also ensuring that we promote innovation.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Social Welfare
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): A lot of that demand is in social care pressures, which is why we have made these announcements. Equally, I recognise that there is a need for long-term reform and sustainability to ensure that we can meet the needs of the future. I am firmly discussing that issue with the Health Secretary as we look at the social care Green Paper. Core spending power in Lambeth is also above average for that class of council, but we will continue to reflect on the issue.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
Martin John Vickers (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Secretary of State for our recent meeting to discuss a further devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire. In his statement, he referred to promoting efficiency. Does he agree that more resources for frontline services could be released if we created more unitary authorities, and would he welcome such proposals?
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I want to drive efficiency and effectiveness, and I recognise some of the incredible work that has already been undertaken. My hon. Friend highlights the issues of unitarisation, which we very much want to be locally driven. I will certainly be setting out my further thoughts on the conditions to be satisfied, knowing that there needs to be a unanimity of view or that we seek proposals from particular areas to make it effective.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Social Welfare
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): We are investing in prevention and ways to promote good standards across local authorities. That is why, at the autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced an additional £84 million over five years to work with a number of local authorities that are seeing high or rising demand for children’s social care to ensure that they improve their practice and decision making in delivering for those families.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Social Welfare
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I was in Bristol just a few short weeks ago looking at the issue of homelessness, but I recognise the hon. Lady’s bid for me to look at some of the other important services and the work going on that is affecting her community. Yes, there are pressures on children’s social care—I recognise that, and it has been recognised in today’s announcement. I will continue to work with my colleagues at the Department for Education as we look at the spending review and ensure that we have a sustainable system knowing the pressures that are there.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Macroeconomics
Rebecca Faye Clark (Pow) (Conservative, Centre-right): You might have been my neighbour, Mr Speaker I very much welcome the increase in core spending for Somerset of 3.7% and, in particular, our inclusion in the 75% business rate retention pilot areas, which I and three colleagues from Somerset have worked hard on. I have just had a text from the leader of Somerset County Council saying, "This is excellent news and thank you." Does this not demonstrate that our Ministers are listening, especially the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Rishi Sunak), and that they have at last realised that rural areas really do need some special attention?
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to my hon. Friend and, indeed, to all the Somerset MPs who have highlighted to me some of the specific issues that have been engaged in. I welcome the feedback that she has relayed to the House on how we acknowledge some of the particular pressures in rural areas. It is interesting to note, Mr Speaker, that, by the sound of it, you came very close to going into the Bristol area. However, we will continue to focus on all areas around the country as we look at the spending for councils moving forward.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: International Affairs
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): On EU funds, we will be consulting in due course in relation to the UK shared prosperity fund—the UK-wide arrangements that will replace the structural funds. I am sure that the hon. Lady will have the opportunity to make representations on that. I acknowledge, yes, that some funding is received through the existing funds, but there is now the opportunity for the UK to shape this and also to deal with some of the bureaucracy to ensure that more money goes to the frontline.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
Simon James Hoare (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend will know that with the home-grown proposals for the unitary councils of Dorset, we have been at the cutting edge of modernisation and delivering value for money and quality services. Will he say a little more in relation to Dorset, specifically, regarding the outcome of his announcement on negative revenue support grant and the very welcome news about the rural services delivery grant?
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Social Welfare
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady is right about the £84 million, which is about driving innovation, and driving good standards and different forms of practice, so that councils can learn from each other in that way. In terms of the core elements of this, I point to the £650 million and the £410 million within it that enables councils to use it for issues such as children’s social care, given the issues and pressures that are there. That is why we have responded in this way. Clearly, I acknowledge and recognise the points that she makes. That is why we have made those decisions but, equally, why we will continue to work with councils on this hugely important issue.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman highlights one element of the local government settlement. However, that does not take account of council tax, business rates retention or the better care fund. In relation to core spending power, I hope he recognises the additional £44.3 million that Greenwich Council will receive in 2019-20. It is important to look at all the forms of funding that make up the overall finances available to local government to deliver for their areas.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Macroeconomics
Jack Edgar Brereton (Conservative, Centre-right): I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I thank the Secretary of State and the Minister for Local Government for the work they have been doing, and in particular for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire’s inclusion in the 15 business rates retention pilots. Does the Secretary of State agree that that will help the Conservatives on the local authority in Stoke-on-Trent to continue their fantastic work to build a stronger economy and more job opportunities?
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Macroeconomics
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): First, I hope that the hon. Lady’s voice gets better quickly in time for Christmas. There will be a 75% business rates retention pilot in Newcastle in 2019-20, which will release additional funds to meet some of the pressures that she highlighted, and core spending power will increase further. We must also look at the devolution deals and all the support and investment being provided. I hope she sees the positive things in this statement that will address a number of the points that she highlighted.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
Neil John O'Brien (Conservative, Centre-right): It is very welcome that Leicestershire will see a 4.4% increase in its core spending power next year, and it is extremely welcome that we will get a business rates retention pilot worth £13 million; I thank Ministers for meeting me to discuss that. However, the local government funding formula is opaque and unfair, and Leicestershire is unfairly under- funded. Can the Secretary of State assure me that he will continue to look at a fair funding formula and look closely at the Leicestershire model, for comprehensive reform?
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Macroeconomics
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for his active participation in our work on long-term funding and the fair funding review, and I thank Leicestershire for its participation in and support for that. He highlighted some of the announcements today, including the benefit of around £14 million for Leicestershire. He has been a good and active champion. We want people to be engaged in the fair funding review, to ensure that we learn from the evidence, so that we get this right.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): Those council leaders should recognise the additional funding being allocated to councils up and down the country, but I know that further innovation, support and discussions are required. In terms of the spending review next year and the long-term arrangements, I want to see a sustainable future for our local councils and the delivery of services in the hon. Lady’s constituency and elsewhere. I am determined to deliver that.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Macroeconomics
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I would highlight the additional core spending power of £3.9 million that will be delivered for Stoke-on-Trent. I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s recognition of the inclusion of those areas in the business rates retention pilots. The point is that councils can look to a number of different funding streams for the delivery of their services, including direct grants, business rates retention and council tax. We look at the funding that councils are delivering for their communities in that overall context.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Macroeconomics
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): Clearly, it is for individual councils to make their decisions. I gently remind the hon. Lady again that these changes have had to be made to deal with pressures in the public finances, and that councils have had to make hard decisions because of the bigger macro issues we have had to deal with. However, I hope that she will recognise the increase in core spending power that Rochdale will see from the announcement I have made today. I encourage councils to do all that they can through local decision making, knowing that, yes, changes have had to be made, and that is a consequence of some of the implications we have had to pick up as a Government.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Law and Crime
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I say gently to the hon. Gentleman that he will have an opportunity during the statement to follow to raise any questions about policing—or about what I have said today about flexibility on the police precept—with the Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, who has just joined me on the Front Bench. I am sure my hon. Friend listened very carefully to what the hon. Gentleman said. This is about providing our police with additional funding to meet their needs and those of local communities, and such flexibility is one of the means of doing so.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I say gently to the hon. Gentleman that this has been about the empowerment of Manchester. It is about Manchester getting more of the benefits and more of the decision making, with devolution arrangements worth about £7 billion, which my hon. Friends on the Front Bench have highlighted. As I hope the hon. Gentleman will see from the details of the information published on the settlement, there is an extra £11.8 million for Manchester in 2019-20—an extra amount of that sum—to support services in that great city.
Local Government Funding Settlement — House of Commons, 2018-12-13
Topic: Government Operations
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I gently say to the hon. Gentleman that I am a proud champion of local government. I celebrate the incredible work that our councils do up and down the country, and the local government officers and staff who work tirelessly for the benefit of our communities. As we look to the future, I will continue to underline that message about the positive things councils do in transforming communities and the life chances that they deliver. Rather than knocking that, I will be supporting and celebrating it.