argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Social Welfare
Thomas Sheppard (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): The right hon. Gentleman has on several occasions in this and previous debates talked about cost and about how much will be paid for certain welfare benefits. I have to say to him that he must not assume that the cuts his Government are making in the welfare budget are cost free. There will be consequences as a result of what they are doing If the Government reduce the amount of money that poor people have and impoverish them even further, there will be consequences for the rest of society. It will increase the burden on our national health service as people become physically and mentally ill. It will drive people to drug dependency and petty crime, and put extra demands on our police service. Most of all, it will cost our economy in the lost opportunity of those wasted lives. Do not think for one minute that there are no consequences to what the Government are doing with the welfare budget.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Social Welfare
Thomas Sheppard (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I am happy to have a debate; I just do not want to have it with the right hon. Gentleman by himself. It is a matter for assessment: we will have to sit down and work out exactly how much more will be required. The question here is: who should make the assessment—should it be the representatives of the people in the Scottish Government, or should it be someone else I want to talk about the bedroom tax, which has been mentioned several times. I will give one example of a human story, rather than the statistics that people have thrown around the Chamber. I have a 62-year-old constituent, who has lived in the area for 30 years in the same two-bedroom house. She has brought up her family, who have now left home. She now suffers from chronic angina and arthritis, and she can barely leave the house, never mind go into employment. She is probably not going to work again. The question is: what type of social protection do we offer someone in that position When I came across my constituent last year, she was running up against the spare bedroom subsidy regulations. She was told that she would either lose £14 a week off her benefit, or she would have to move house. Not having £14 to lose, she inquired about where she should move to. The only options given to her were five miles away, in an estate with a number of social problems that hers did not have, with no support from family or friends and no ability to continue the life she had. She was almost terrorised when I came across her: she was at the point of distraction and was making herself ill. I am glad to say that, because of the actions of the Scottish Government, we have now been able to help that woman and others in her situation, but I fear for people throughout the rest of the United Kingdom who are in that terrible situation. Another example of parsimony is the sanctions regime, which has been mentioned several times. Let us not kid ourselves that officials in the DWP are using sanctions as a last resort. In many cases, they are being used as a first resort. We all know of cases in which people have been sanctioned for the most petty of breaches.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Social Welfare
Thomas Sheppard (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. It is because of the iniquity of the current system, and the prospect that is being held out of worse things to come, that we seek a change. We seek to be able to take control of our welfare system in Scotland and shape it so that it meets the aspirations of the people. The hon. Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen) said earlier that Scotland could perhaps be an example of what might happen in the rest of the United Kingdom, and I very much hope that will be the case.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Labor
Hannah Mary Bardell (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I beg to move amendment 120, page 27, line 22, leave out from beginning to "for" in line 23 and insert "Arrangements" Amendments 120, 121 and 122 make provision for the Scottish Parliament to have power to legislate on arrangements for employment support programmes.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Labor
Hannah Mary Bardell (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I would certainly be interested in taking a closer look at that and discussing it with my colleagues. I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s intervention To deal with youth unemployment, that approach is supported by the EU. We are keen for the powers that we were promised to be delivered to Scotland. Delivery of those powers and agreement on our proposals today would help to create a more joined-up approach to employment service provision for disabled people, as well as for the many others who have been mentioned, and more integrated support for these vulnerable groups Although it is demand-led, the current DWP spend on Access to Work in Scotland is disproportionately low. The Scottish Government have previously stated that the programme should be devolved to allow us to promote a more equitable share of spend in Scotland and to get more disabled people into sustained employment In summary, it is not just the SNP that sees significant flaws in the Bill. Citizens Advice Scotland notes: "The Smith Commission Report…provided that the Scottish Parliament should have powers over all employment programmes currently contracted by the DWP. However, Clause 26 of the Bill restricts the powers devolved to employment support programmes that last at least a year. It is unclear why this restriction has been included; the Bill as drafted would appear to only devolve the Work Programme and Work Choice; which is inconsistent with Smith. Clause 26 as currently drafted does not clearly devolve powers over the Access to Work Scheme." Both the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Scottish Association for Mental Health support the amendments, which serve to devolve all employment powers and functions to Scotland covering Access to Work, devolution of services and Jobcentre Plus In Scotland, with the limited powers we have, we have proven that we can make a difference to people’s lives. The SNP Scottish Government have done their best to mitigate the damage done by Westminster cuts to date, but time is running out. If we do not gain the powers that were promised, we cannot continue to protect the vulnerable and grow our economy We have an excellent track record on apprenticeships and training for young people. In 2007, just 15,000 people started modern apprenticeships. We are now delivering more than 25,000 of them, and we will increase the number to 30,000 by 2020. To reply to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Gwynne), the Scottish Government’s Opportunities for All programme has also been a significant success, with more than 90% of young people going on to positive destinations. In my own county of West Lothian, the figure stands at more than 96%. We are glad to announce today that the Scottish Government has got its 250th business, a nursery in West Lothian, to sign up to the living wage The opportunity to work is one that the vast majority of people in Scotland seek. The SNP wants dignity in work for all, and I commend our proposals to the Committee.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Labor
Michael Fraser Weir (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I am listening carefully to what the hon. Lady is saying, but does she not recognise the difficulties for an area such as my own, where unemployment is low but so are wages, and in which there are fairly prosperous parts as well as parts that are not prosperous? It is difficult to say that a local authority area is suitable for devolving responsibility down to.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Labor
Christopher Charles Stephens (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I was a Unison activist and I found that the Access to Work programme not only helps people get into work, but helps existing employees who develop a visual impairment, for example, to continue in employment. It is a device that helps people to stay in work, not just get into work.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Government Operations
Michael Fraser Weir (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): Will the hon. Gentleman expand on the position of local authorities? I made the point to the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) about the nature of many local authorities in Scotland, which would make it slightly more difficult to devolve the issue to local authority level than in certain other areas.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Social Welfare
Eilidh Whiteford (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the Opportunities for All programme, which was mentioned earlier, is a good example of a policy area in which the Scottish Government are working closely with local authorities to deliver services and opportunities for young people? Similarly, the Scottish welfare fund is another good example of a scheme administered and delivered by local authorities. When the hon. Gentleman talks about a centralist Government, he needs to remember that 90% of ring-fenced funding has been devolved to local authorities by the Scottish Government. He might want to take a look at Wales, where the Labour Government seem to want to abolish local authorities all together.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Government Operations
Michael Fraser Weir (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I am not trying to be difficult, but it seems to me that the hon. Gentleman’s amendment would provide that the Scottish Parliament "must" devolve the power to local authorities. It would not always be appropriate for a local authority—or even a group of local authorities—to have that power. If he wants to pursue devolution of such powers, more flexibility would be needed, and the amendment is flawed in that regard.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Government Operations
Michael Fraser Weir (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): The hon. Gentleman and I have crossed swords on many Bills. He is misrepresenting what I said—not deliberately, I am sure. As I read it, if the amendment is agreed to, that would mean an obligation to devolve to each individual local authority. That is not what he is saying now about a conglomeration of local authorities. The amendment is flawed; the idea behind it is not so flawed, but the way it is written is.
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Macroeconomics
Kirsty Ann Blackman (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I very much appreciate the opportunity of an Adjournment debate on the Aberdeen city region deal. The coalition Government announced in the Budget earlier this year that they would enter negotiations with Aberdeen city and shire on a possible city region deal for the area. I appreciate the Minister’s presence to reply to the debate and I am grateful that my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen South (Callum McCaig) and I will have a little longer to address the issue Since the 1970s, Aberdeen has been one of the major economic powerhouses of the UK. Our local city and shire economies created 42,200 jobs between 2000 and 2012, a rate of growth double the Scottish average. Aberdeen is ranked fourth among 64 cities in terms of the number of patents per head of population. In 2011-12, the oil and gas industry paid 16.4% of all corporation tax collected in the UK Although the oil industry has made a significant contribution to the economy of these islands, many in our city feel that deserved improvements have passed us by. The Government’s "UK Oil and Gas" industrial strategy, published in 2013, summed up the situation. It stated: "While the strengths of the sector are UK wide, Aberdeen has established itself as a global hub for oil and gas expertise. This has happened in spite of, not because of its infrastructure. From a small airport through to traffic congestion and limited housing stock, Aberdeen has struggled to keep up with the demands of the oil and gas sector." Major infrastructure projects, which have been in the pipeline since the 1940s, are only just beginning to come through for my residents. The Haudagain roundabout improvement scheme, the western peripheral route and the third Don crossing have been long-awaited by people throughout Aberdeen, but it is only now that these are progressing.
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Transportation
Kirsty Ann Blackman (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I will come on to the point my hon. Friend raises in a few moments Our city’s transport connectivity is regularly flagged up as concerning. There is a heavy reliance on cars and high vehicle ownership, as the infrastructure and connectivity are sadly lacking at the moment. The city deal proposal highlights an opportunity for change to be made. Increasing the transport links will allow public transport in the city to become more fit for purpose and to encourage a reduction in car use. Aberdeen’s Union Street has degenerated over the years, as private companies have bought up properties and shirked their responsibilities in terms of maintenance and upkeep. I hope and believe that the city deal and the level of collaboration between organisations can ensure that agreement is forged on a way forward for our city centre. We want the local population to be drawn into the centre, to share experiences in a pleasant, welcoming environment, and to feel proud to live and work in our beautiful city Increasing the ability of companies to attract talent to our region will increase our economic output. I am so pleased that Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen University, the local business community, the Scottish Government and the UK Government are working together to progress this proposal.
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Labor
Andrew Egan Henderson Hendry (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I had the pleasure of working with Aberdeen as part of the Scottish Cities Alliance. Many of the organisations my hon. Friend mentions have been critical in pulling together the project for Aberdeen. As a representative of the other most northerly city in Scotland, Inverness, the links between Inverness and Aberdeen are very clear. The generation of employment and our ability to retain and encourage young people into new careers are vital. That work together was best demonstrated in the work of the Highland Council at the advanced stage, before the election was called, with the Scottish Government, the Scottish Cities Alliance, the universities and other groups involved in pulling together the campus and sports hub for young people. Does my hon. Friend agree—
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Transportation
Kirsty Ann Blackman (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I agree with my hon. Friend. Although there are local issues, both Aberdeen and Inverness have the same concerns regarding the current lack of connectivity with the rest of the country. Anything that improves our access to the rest of the UK will improve economic opportunities for those living in our city regions.
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Transportation
Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): My hon. Friend makes a crucial point about social housing in Aberdeen, but does she also accept that the investment in the Inverness-Aberdeen railway line will make realistic commuting possibilities available to a range of people across the community? Does she agree about the importance of that investment and our working together to maximise the opportunity?
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Transportation
Kirsty Ann Blackman (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend. The infrastructure system in London is so far away from our system. We do not have two railway lines beside each other, meaning that trains can only pass at certain points.
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Energy
Callum McCaig (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen North (Kirsty Blackman) for securing this debate and echo her words of gratitude to the Minister for generously allowing me to contribute This is a hugely important matter for Aberdeen and north-east Scotland. Following the collapse in the oil price, Aberdeen City Council hosted a summit of key industry and Government figures attended by local government, the Scottish Government and the UK Government. At that conference, Malcolm Webb, the former chief executive of Oil and Gas UK, said: "Currently I am afraid Aberdeen is part of the cost and efficiency problem whereas, with the right investment in its infrastructure, it can be an important part of the solution." The oil and gas industry clearly has a job of work to do to reduce its own cost base, but when someone so key in the industry suggests that the very infrastructure and nature of the city and region that host that infrastructure, are part of the blockage and cost difficulty, everyone with a vested interest in seeing Aberdeen flourish—this Chamber as a whole—needs to listen.
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Transportation
Eilidh Whiteford (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): My hon. Friend is making an important point about infrastructure. Nowhere are the infrastructure challenges more acute than in the very north of Aberdeenshire, particularly in the parts that I represent. The city deal offers great opportunities for the city and the shire, but I am concerned to ensure that the rest of Aberdeenshire that will not be affected by the city deals does not fall further behind. Will my hon. Friend agree to make sure that that does not happen as we go forward?
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Energy
Callum McCaig (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I welcome that intervention. It may not have been heard by those in the Chamber, but while my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen North was talking my hon. Friend the Member for Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford) pointed out that her constituency is perhaps unique for a mainland constituency in not having a single mile of railtrack. That is quite remarkable, and I know that Aberdeenshire City Council is working in partnership with Nestrans on this issue for the future. It is something that could be developed through this process. Councillor Jenny Laing, a Labour member and leader of Aberdeen City Council said: "The proposals we have outlined will ensure the prosperity of our city and NE Scotland for decades to come by anchoring an economy of global significance for the benefit of the UK as a whole." This has the backing of Labour party in Aberdeen, and indeed of all parties in Aberdeen, and I think it has unanimous support in Aberdeenshire as well. This is a cross-party issue, although as a result of the success of the Scottish National party, only SNP Members from the north-east of Scotland are here to back it. If other parties were present, I am sure they would be adding to the calls for this, such is the importance of it to our region The oil and gas industry is critical to Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland, but Aberdeen and our region is far more than oil and gas. There are proposals, subject to legal challenge by a certain presidential candidate, for a wind farm in Aberdeen bay to test the new and innovative technologies in offshore wind. I hope that that will go ahead, as there are huge benefits to be gained from it Aberdeen is also leading the way in the development of hydrogen technology. We now have the largest fleet of hydrogen buses anywhere in Europe, thanks to the support of my right hon. Friend the Member for Gordon (Alex Salmond) and the efforts of the Scottish Government, the European Union and Aberdeen City Council. It is a team effort Yes, we are an energy city and an energy region—but we are certainly more than just energy. Life sciences and food and drink are absolutely world class in the corner of the world that we call home. They, too, stand to benefit from significant investment in the infrastructure—physical and digital, and in the housing that my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen North talked about—and, above all, in the skills we require from our universities to build the capacity to allow these industries to flourish.
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Transportation
Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): My hon. Friend makes an important point about infrastructure. One concern that I and my Glasgow colleagues have is about the devolution of powers to cities such as Manchester. That is, of course, to be welcomed, but it presents us with significant challenges. Does he agree that one way to help us meet those challenges would be for the Government to say unequivocally that HS2 will come to Scotland?
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Government Operations
Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): The Minister has said that under the proposals the Scottish Parliament will be one of the most powerful devolved Parliaments in the world, but the Command Paper said that it would be almost as powerful, in financial terms, as a Swiss canton. Would it be possible to aspire to be more powerful than a Swiss canton in financial terms?
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: Transportation
Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): Last Friday I had a meeting with the Glasgow chamber of commerce. Investment that we would have thought would come to Glasgow is already being picked off by cities such as Manchester, following the promise to deliver more powers to them. That is a great concern to me as a Glasgow MP and to other colleagues. The chamber of commerce believes that we could meet that challenge if we got a solid commitment that High Speed 2 will come to Scotland and perhaps even start there. Will the Minister at least endeavour to look at that in more detail? I appreciate—
City Deal Funding (Aberdeen) — House of Commons, 2015-06-30
Topic: International Affairs
Kirsty Ann Blackman (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): Does the Minister agree that this is a really good opportunity for joint working, and does he have any more information on the timeline for any agreements and for when the negotiations will reach a conclusion?
Energy Supply — House of Commons, 2015-02-25
Topic: Energy
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on the supply of energy in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): Scottish generators, including Longannet, provide 12% of the electricity going into the British network, but pay 35% of the transmission charges. The Secretary of State has been in government for five years. What has he done to end that discrimination?
Energy Supply — House of Commons, 2015-02-25
Topic: Energy
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on the supply of energy in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): Last week, the First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister about this very subject, asking "the UK Government to initiate a dedicated capacity assessment for Scotland, informed by stakeholder views, and take steps to transfer to the Scottish Parliament the authority to set our own national reliability standard for electricity." Having failed to end the discriminatory transmission charges, will the UK Government agree to those reasonable suggestions?