argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Summer Adjournment — House of Commons, 2019-07-25
Topic: Other
Eleanor Fulton Laing (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind words. I thank everyone who has taken part in this debate. May I, on behalf of all the occupants of the Chair, wish all hon. Members a busy but peaceful recess—not a holiday. I also want, on behalf of us all, to thank everyone who works here in the Palace of Westminster. You work so hard to make our work easier, and we really appreciate everything that you do to support us. We hope that you all have peaceful and happy holidays Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That this House has considered matters to be raised before the forthcoming adjournment.
Open Countryside in Penkridge and Bloor Homes Appeal Decision — House of Commons, 2019-07-25
Topic: Housing
Jeremy John Elton Lefroy (Conservative, Centre-right): I present this petition on behalf of residents of Penkridge and of Staffordshire more widely. It has been signed by 41 members of the community of Penkridge, but a similar online petition has the names of more than 1,100 residents, mainly from Penkridge but also from Staffordshire and further afield The petition states: The petition of Residents of Penkridge and Staffordshire, Declares that we object to Bloor Homes planned development of 200 homes in Penkridge after the developer won their appeal against the South Staffordshire Council’s decision to refuse the development in July 2018; further that the people of Penkridge and Staffordshire do not wish this development to go ahead due to the following points: 1) Penkridge has met and exceeded housing targets for the current plan period, South Staffordshire exceed the requirement for a 5-year housing supply as they did when the planning application was rejected in July 2018; 2) Lyne Hill Meadow development of 400 homes is still being constructed, currently phase 3 of 5; 3) In 2018 the Site Allocation Document was signed off by the Planning Inspectorate, which confirmed following the Lyne Hill development there is no residual requirement for additional houses in Penkridge; 5) Construction would involve the needless destruction of Open Countryside, valuable agricultural land and wildlife habitat; 6) The village infrastructure does not have capacity for this increase; the high school is full for the year 19-20 and there is a 6-week waiting period for appointments at the Medical Centre; The development increases the flood risk on the main A449 road, which is also a diversion route for the M6 between J12 and J13 The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State and inspector, to overturn this decision And the petitioners remain, etc [P002496]
Economic Effect of No Deal — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Mixed Topics
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): We would prefer to leave with a deal, and we continue to work energetically and determinedly to get a better deal, but the Government are turbo charging their preparations to ensure we are ready to leave without a deal on 31 October. All necessary funds have been made available. The fundamentals of the British economy are strong: real wages are growing; employment is at a record high; and unemployment is at an historic low.
Economic Effect of No Deal — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Mixed Topics
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for drawing the House’s attention to this issue. I am aware of that. I know, for example, that the investment the Government have made through Border Force, including the extra officers, is helping, and I am confident that in all circumstances we can keep trade flowing.
Economic Effect of No Deal — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: We know that a no-deal Brexit would cost up to 100,000 jobs in Scotland and cost each family £2,300 a year. Is that really a price worth paying for the Prime Minister to break the law and go out with no deal?
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): We do not know that at all. That is just scaremongering from the Scottish National party. We know that businesses throughout the UK, including in Scotland, want this uncertainty to end and want us to leave on 31 October.
Economic Effect of No Deal — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: We know that a no-deal Brexit would cost up to 100,000 jobs in Scotland and cost each family £2,300 a year. Is that really a price worth paying for the Prime Minister to break the law and go out with no deal?
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): Significant work is going on to prepare the whole country for a potential no-deal outcome, and that includes helping businesses. I have allocated an additional £2.1 billion on top of the £2 billion that was already there, and that means that we can do much more to help businesses, including sending them more than 750 communications on preparedness and more than 100 technical notices.
Loan Charge — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge commissioned by his Department.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review commissioned by his Department of that charge.; What (a) support and (b) financial relief he plans to provide to people subject to the 2019 loan charge during the duration of the independent review of that charge.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge; and if he will make a statement.
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government have listened to concerns expressed across the House about the loan charge, and, as the House will know, an independent review is now in progress under the leadership of Sir Amyas Morse. While it is under way, it is right for the loan charge to remain in force and for the Government to implement legislation on which the House agreed. The review will conclude by mid-November, to let anyone who may be affected know, and to give people time to plan in advance of the January self-assessment filing deadline. To help taxpayers who may need longer to pay, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs has confirmed again that there is no maximum time limit for payment plans.
Loan Charge — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge commissioned by his Department.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review commissioned by his Department of that charge.; What (a) support and (b) financial relief he plans to provide to people subject to the 2019 loan charge during the duration of the independent review of that charge.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge; and if he will make a statement.
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful for the question. Of course any injury to individuals from any act of Government or their agencies is to be deeply regretted. I recognise that, and if it has happened here, it is appropriate for the House to feel that way I have no powers to direct Sir Amyas Morse. I understand that he is taking evidence from external sources, including the loan charge all-party parliamentary group and the Loan Charge Action Group, which acts as its secretariat. I have met the APPG and the secretariat separately. So the matter is being fully addressed. The details of settlement have been set out on gov.uk.
Loan Charge — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge commissioned by his Department.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review commissioned by his Department of that charge.; What (a) support and (b) financial relief he plans to provide to people subject to the 2019 loan charge during the duration of the independent review of that charge.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge; and if he will make a statement.
Matthew James Offord (Conservative, Centre-right): Despite the review, the loan charge remains in place and HMRC continues to pursue people for advance payment notices for which there is no right of appeal. That clearly goes against the spirit of the review. Will the Minister now suspend all activity?
Loan Charge — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge commissioned by his Department.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review commissioned by his Department of that charge.; What (a) support and (b) financial relief he plans to provide to people subject to the 2019 loan charge during the duration of the independent review of that charge.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge; and if he will make a statement.
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): Nothing could be further from the truth. We are carefully attending to concerns that have been expressed. That is why I announced changes in July and have written on two occasions to colleagues to inform them of changes and developments. That is why we have instituted this independent loan charge review, the purpose of which is precisely to scrutinise the extent to which Government policy is appropriate.
Loan Charge — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge commissioned by his Department.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review commissioned by his Department of that charge.; What (a) support and (b) financial relief he plans to provide to people subject to the 2019 loan charge during the duration of the independent review of that charge.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge; and if he will make a statement.
Justine Greening (Conservative, Centre-right): Like many Members, I have constituents who have been egregiously affected by the loan charge. The Minister’s response is unacceptable from their perspective. He should suspend all the loan charge activity while the review is under way and until the Government have responded to it. What preparation is happening in HMRC for the policy shift if the review says that the loan charge is unfair and needs to be changed? How will he deal with my constituents who have already had to pay but may be proven to have paid erroneously?
Loan Charge — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge commissioned by his Department.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review commissioned by his Department of that charge.; What (a) support and (b) financial relief he plans to provide to people subject to the 2019 loan charge during the duration of the independent review of that charge.; If he will make it his policy to suspend the 2019 loan charge for the duration of the review of that charge; and if he will make a statement.; Seven needless deaths; seven families tragically left to deal with the consequences, and yet companies such as AML that have promoted the schemes are getting away scot-free. AML and its director, Doug Barrowman, appear to have moved away with no consequences whatever. In fact, they are boasting that HMRC is not pursuing them for any assets or unpaid taxes. Will the Minister detail the efforts that are being taken against such companies, which have caused so much pain and tragedy?
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady is absolutely right to focus on the activity of the promoters. They are extremely ingenious in operating within the framework of law, but doing some very nasty and duplicitous things. They often operate offshore and it is extremely difficult to close them down when they are constantly mutating from one company to another. I assure hon. Members that we are looking at the problem extremely closely, and I hope to return to the House at some point fairly soon with some thoughts.
Free-to-use Cash Machines — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
John Philip Glen (Conservative, Centre-right): The UK has an extensive and internationally enviable free ATM network. We know that many people still use cash day to day, and we have committed to safeguarding cash for those who need it. I am delighted that UK Finance and LINK are leading industry efforts to protect free cash access. That culminated in UK Finance launching the Community Access to Cash initiative just yesterday.
Free-to-use Cash Machines — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
John Philip Glen (Conservative, Centre-right): Use of cash has reduced significantly faster than expected over the past 10 years. I am meeting UK Finance and LINK tomorrow to ensure that their mechanism is good for the current situation. The new initiative to which I referred in my previous response will give communities up and down the country the opportunity to engage with UK Finance on better and new solutions.
Free-to-use Cash Machines — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Gary Nicholas Streeter (Conservative, Centre-right): Is not the closure of ATMs linked to the decision by high street banks to close their branches left, right and centre? Will the Minister, in his regular meetings with the chief executives of high street banks, remind them that they do have some duty to elderly customers and small businesses?
Free-to-use Cash Machines — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
John Philip Glen (Conservative, Centre-right): I do that regularly. We are also trying to ensure that the transfer of responsibility to the Post Office runs smoothly, because 99% of people live within 1 mile of a post office, so it is a very good alternative for the vast majority of their banking services.
Free-to-use Cash Machines — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
John Philip Glen (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes, I am very happy to continue to engage with the regulator, and I noted the hon. Lady’s urgent question application earlier today. Digital payment alternatives improve local cash recycling and support cashback initiatives. Mastercard and Visa have a number of initiatives under way, and I am determined to see progress in this area.
Free-to-use Cash Machines — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Philip Martin Dunne (Conservative, Centre-right): With a third of banks, many of which had ATMs, closing in rural areas, and with very poor mobile connectivity in those areas meaning that digital payment schemes are not possible, I was very pleased to learn of yesterday’s announcement by UK Finance on Community Access to Cash, to which the Economic Secretary referred. That is the way forward, but what can he do to reassure business providers that if they provide ATMs, they will be safe from break-in?
Rough Sleeping — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Housing
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the adequacy of funding allocated to tackling rough sleeping.
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government remain committed to ending rough sleeping. That is why I announced £54 million of new funding to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping in last month’s spending round, following on from discussions with my right hon. Friend the Housing Secretary, which will take total resource funding to £422 million next year.
Rough Sleeping — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Housing
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the adequacy of funding allocated to tackling rough sleeping.
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): I hope that the hon. Lady welcomes the extra resources being put into fighting homelessness and rough sleeping—as I said, a 13% real-terms increase. She might recall that when I was Housing Secretary, we introduced new programmes to deal properly with rough sleeping, for example the Housing First pilots that are taking place in three parts of our country and showing real resource. We are starting to see falls in rough sleeping for the first time in a number of years, and I think the British people would appreciate cross-party co-operation on this very important issue.
NHS Hospital Projects — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Other
Rishi Sunak (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is absolutely right about that. May I take this opportunity to congratulate all the hard-working staff in his trust for their efforts in campaigning for this. They do a wonderful job serving their community, and I am delighted that with this support they will have the resources they need to keep doing that for years to come.
Student Funding: 16 to 19-year-olds — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Other
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on raising the per student rate of 16 to 19 funding.
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. If the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski) wishes to shoehorn his Question 20, which will not be reached, into this Question 10, which has been, he is free to do so. If he takes me up on his generous offer, we will have a double dose of Daniel.
Small Businesses — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Simon Richard Clarke (Conservative, Centre-right): A new business starts in the UK every 75 seconds. Following the patient capital review, we announced a £20 billion action plan to finance growth in innovative firms. To support that, we have established a new business finance council to ensure that Government, banks and other lenders work together to help small and medium-sized enterprises to access the finance that they need.
Small Businesses — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Simon Richard Clarke (Conservative, Centre-right): Responsibility for this issue falls between the Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. A late-payment regulator has been set up. I talked about this issue with businesses at the Conservative party conference on Sunday; I take it very seriously and they highlighted it as an ongoing concern. It should come out loud and clear from the House that all businesses, particularly larger ones, have a responsibility to meet their payment terms, because that is crucial for small businesses. I think everyone in the House can unite around that common principle.
Small Businesses — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gregory Knight (Conservative, Centre-right): Is the Minister aware that one of the main difficulties facing small rural businesses is the non-availability of fast and reliable broadband? In the light of the announcement that the Chancellor made yesterday in Manchester, can we now assume that the days in which a geographically isolated business is also digitally isolated really are numbered?
Moray Growth Deal — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Housing
Questions: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Local growth deals like Moray’s would greatly help regional development. The shared prosperity fund would greatly help with improvements to the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff train line, so will the Minister please meet me to consider that possibility?
Simon Richard Clarke (Conservative, Centre-right): That was a truly ingenious question. Of course, the UK shared prosperity fund is really important. We continue to make good progress on its design. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government officials have so far held 26 engagement events across the UK with over 500 representatives from a breadth of sectors. This is something that, obviously, has massive implications for Wales, and we are very happy to ensure that we engage everyone in that process.
Moray Growth Deal — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Local growth deals like Moray’s would greatly help regional development. The shared prosperity fund would greatly help with improvements to the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff train line, so will the Minister please meet me to consider that possibility?
Simon Richard Clarke (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for that question. Clearly, we want to see this investment move forward as quickly as possible. If he wants to raise that matter with us and indeed with the Secretary for Scotland, we can certainly talk about it, but I obviously cannot make any commitments here today.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: As my right hon. Friend knows, those affected by the devastating loan charge have welcomed the independent review, but feel that it would be better conducted by a tax judge. Does the Minister agree? Does he also agree that a suitable outcome of the review would be to apply the loan charge only from when it was introduced, in 2016, not retrospectively?
Amber Rudd (Conservative, Centre-right): I have had heartbreaking meetings with constituents from Hastings regarding the loan charge, where I have heard tragic and sad stories about the destruction of families and their finances. Although I of course welcome the review that is to take place, may I urge the Chancellor to reconsider the position of not suspending the loan charge during the review period?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2019-10-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: As my right hon. Friend knows, those affected by the devastating loan charge have welcomed the independent review, but feel that it would be better conducted by a tax judge. Does the Minister agree? Does he also agree that a suitable outcome of the review would be to apply the loan charge only from when it was introduced, in 2016, not retrospectively?; The former coalfields of England, Scotland and Wales have a combined population of 5.7 million. If they were treated as a single distinct region, that would be the poorest region in the United Kingdom. By any measure or definition, the coalfield communities are left-behind areas, so what fiscal policy steps is the Chancellor taking to address the specific structural and economic weaknesses of former coalfield areas such as mine in going forward with the shared prosperity fund?
Simon Richard Clarke (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for his question; he was obviously responsible for this when he was Exchequer Secretary. Last week I met Charlie Mayfield for a very good discussion about the Be the Business fund that the Government have set up to support business-led movement to improve small business productivity. This includes running pilots in Cornwall to support the hospitality sector and in the north-west to support family businesses. There are other schemes, such as Made Smarter, which is a good pilot, in addition to a £31 million package announced at conference 2018 to improve SME management through peer-to-peer networks.