argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Letting Agent Fees and Deposits: Private Rented Sector — House of Commons, 2016-05-03
Topic: Housing
Maria Colette Caulfield (Conservative, Centre-right): I completely agree. That will be one of the recommendations I make to the Minister Research by the National Union of Students mirrored that undertaken by my local citizens advice bureaux. The NUS surveyed 3,000 students and found that, on average, students pay £887 in fees, going up to more than £1,000 if they rent from an agent online. That shows that the situation in my constituency is being replicated across the country There is still one more injustice that tenants have to endure on top—the six-month tenancy regime. Very often, tenants want a longer lease and landlords are happy to give them one. But it is in the letting agent’s interests to keep tenants on a rotating six-month tenancy, because every time that tenancy is renewed the agent charges another £150 to £350. It is a classic opportunity to fleece tenants once again. The renewal of the same lease for the same tenants for the same property just costs the tenants more money. In law, a tenant should be able to ask for a longer lease from their landlord, but letting agents often ensure that that message is not passed on, and so every six months tenants have to pay fees to agents for little more than a new piece of paper To go back to the point raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake), landlords are often none the wiser about the charges that their tenants face. In fact, landlords often pay no fees at all, because they benefit from letting agents who are keen to encourage them to put their properties on their books rather than those of another letting agent. The charges are therefore passed on to the tenant What do letting agents actually do to justify their fees? They do a great deal of work. A let-only deal will involve the letting agent assessing a property for rent, submitting the advert, carrying out viewings, doing tenant reference and credit checks, ensuring that tenants have contents insurance, providing tenancy agreements, setting up payments and informing utility companies of any changes. However, does that work really justify charging tenants just under £1,000?
Letting Agent Fees and Deposits: Private Rented Sector — House of Commons, 2016-05-03
Topic: Housing
Robert Edward Jenrick (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is making some very important points. Does she appreciate, however, that estate agents are making around 40% of their income from lettings fees, so if we abolish or cap them, those costs will only be passed on to the tenant in a different way, principally through higher rents from the landlord? There are perhaps two answers. She has already alighted on one, which is to try to encourage—not mandate, but encourage—longer tenancies. Secondly, this House should be much more cautious in future about increasing the regulatory burden on landlords, so that letting agents do not have so many items to check off before they can get tenants into properties; I am thinking, for example, of the right to rent changes brought in recently, which put extra costs and burdens on landlords and letting agents.
Letting Agent Fees and Deposits: Private Rented Sector — House of Commons, 2016-05-03
Topic: Housing
Maria Colette Caulfield (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for his points. I am sure he will hear some of those suggestions in my recommendations The Government have done a tremendous amount to protect tenants and restrict over-exuberant letting agents. Last year, they made it illegal for agents to charge potential tenants to register with them or to charge for providing lists of properties. The Government also changed the law so that agents have to advertise their fees publicly in advance, both online and in their offices; non-compliance is enforceable by local trading standards officers, with a maximum fine of £5,000 That change is very welcome, but in reality the law is not being followed. Again, my enthusiastic bunch of volunteers at the citizens advice bureaux did a form of mystery shopping locally. They visited 10 letting agents in Lewes and 15 in the town of Seaford. Of those 25, only one had its fees easily and publicly displayed. In practice, then, tenants are none the wiser that there is such a difference in fees between letting agents in the same town I therefore have five asks of the Government to ensure further protection for those who find themselves part of generation rent—very often those who cannot afford to buy a property or get a mortgage. First, we should indeed cap letting agent fees, because there can be no justification for the difference in the fees currently charged. Secondly, we should set standards for what can and cannot be charged for. For example, is it right that tenants are charged a holding fee that does not actually hold the property they want and that is not refundable? Thirdly, we should end the practice of charging for tenancy renewal, or at least give greater protection to tenants on short-term lets.
Letting Agent Fees and Deposits: Private Rented Sector — House of Commons, 2016-05-03
Topic: Housing
Caroline Ansell (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my hon. Friend agree that short-term lets of six months are not only hugely costly to tenants in what should be a straightforward renewal—there should also be much more openness about the possibility of having a longer tenancy agreement—but undermine people’s sense of security and their connection to their community?
Letting Agent Fees and Deposits: Private Rented Sector — House of Commons, 2016-05-03
Topic: Housing
Maria Colette Caulfield (Conservative, Centre-right): I agree with my hon. Friend, because tenants have a legal right to ask for longer tenancy agreements, but often that request is not passed on to their landlords Fourthly, there should be tougher penalties for not displaying fees, because that is clearly being flouted. I urge that councils should be allowed to keep the money from any fines to encourage them to enforce the law that already exists. Fifthly, we should promote this issue so that tenants are aware that there is a difference between the fees that are charged, often on the same high street for the same properties. I have written about that in my monthly column in the Sussex Express in order to highlight the issue so that tenants are aware and can then make choices for themselves In conclusion, letting agent fees have the greatest impact on the young, the poor and those excluded from the housing market. Many letting agents know that these people are desperate to secure somewhere to live and take full advantage by charging exorbitant fees. There is huge competition for housing, particularly in London and the south-east, and if someone refuses to pay these fees there are three or four people behind them in the queue who will. I urge the Government to step in and protect tenants from the scourge of letting agent fees.
First World War Commemoration — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Public Lands
Questions: What steps his Department is taking to ensure the greatest possible engagement by children and young people in the commemoration of the first world war.
David Anthony Evennett (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes a good point. There is funding for communities to explore local first world war history, through the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as through the War Memorials Trust for the repair and conservation of local war memorials. Local communities should be commemorating every aspect of their local communities to highlight what happened and remember those who served and gave their lives.
Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
John Flasby Lawrance Whittingdale (Conservative, Centre-right): The Prime Minister’s five-point plan for tourism sets out how this Government will help to grow the British tourism industry. The year 2015 set new records for inbound visits and spend, but we are not complacent. To boost tourism in England further, the Chancellor announced a new £40 million Discover England fund at the last spending round. This will support visitors to discover even more of England’s hidden gems.
Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
Martin John Vickers (Conservative, Centre-right): Our coastal communities are particularly important to the tourism sector, but they are also the communities that have been particularly badly affected by our membership of the EU over the last 40 years. Can the Secretary of State give an assurance that the initiatives he mentioned will be directed particularly at coastal communities?
Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
John Flasby Lawrance Whittingdale (Conservative, Centre-right): I share many of my hon. Friend’s views on our membership of the European Union, although I have to say that I do not think EU membership has a great bearing on tourism. People come to this country because of our fantastic heritage, our wonderful landscape, our arts and our sport, not because we are members of the European Union The north-west does have many attractions, and I hope it will take advantage of the Discover England fund, which I described earlier. The fund is designed to raise awareness of the many attractions that England has outside London, and, as has been pointed out by my hon. Friend and by the hon. Member for Lancaster and Fleetwood (Cat Smith), many of those are indeed in the north-west.
Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
John Flasby Lawrance Whittingdale (Conservative, Centre-right): I am aware of the slightly different arrangements for the promotion of tourism in Northern Ireland, although I have had no discussions with the Minister responsible for it. I think he has only just arrived. I look forward to meeting him in due course, and I shall be happy to talk to him about the issue then.
Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
Nigel Paul Huddleston (Conservative, Centre-right): I join the Secretary of State in applauding last year’s success, when a record number of people—36.1 million—visited the United Kingdom. As he will know, 67% of those visitors were from the European Union and 74% were from other European countries. Will he join me in saying, "Thank you, Europe—thank you, our European colleagues—and please come more and spend more"?
Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Anthony Evennett (Conservative, Centre-right): We now have the full domestic and inbound figures for 2015. As we have just heard from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, there is good news on both fronts, but there is particularly good news about domestic tourism. The number of overnight trips in England reached 102.7 million, up 11% on 2014, and spending reached a new record of £19.6 billion, up 8%. However, there is more to be done, and we are determined to increase the number of both domestic and foreign visitors in the coming year.
Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Anthony Evennett (Conservative, Centre-right): Yorkshire is indeed a prime destination for tourism, and it has so much to offer. I have been going around the country—I am off to Devon and Dorset today and tomorrow—to promote tourism and heritage again, and I will do all that I can to persuade domestic and foreign visitors to come to Yorkshire and the rest of our great nation.
Rugby Union — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): We certainly know how lucky we are in Devon There are 47 rugby union clubs across Devon, and they provide people of all ages and backgrounds access to the game and a chance to get more involved in their community. What further support can the Government give those clubs and Devon Rugby Football Union to enhance further their role of getting more people involved in the game and their community?
Rugby Union — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Anthony Evennett (Conservative, Centre-right): I take this opportunity to congratulate Devon RFU on the work that it has been doing to provide so many opportunities for people to get involved in the great game of rugby. Across Devon, Sport England has invested £319,632 to upgrade, improve and repair nine grassroots rugby clubs since 2010. As I have said—[Interruption.] The hon. Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle) should listen. We listened to her yesterday when she was waffling on about the BBC, so she should listen today to get some facts. We are focused on getting more people from all backgrounds involved in sport and physical activity.
Rugby Union — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Philip Andrew Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): With the support and the help of the Minister’s Department, we had the first ever mixed ability rugby world cup in my constituency last year. Will my hon. Friend’s Department continue to help and support mixed ability rugby, and will he use his good offices to extend the mixed ability format, which has been so successfully run in my constituency, to other sports as well?
Rugby Union — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Civil Rights
David Anthony Evennett (Conservative, Centre-right): I have noted what my hon. Friend has said, and I know what a champion he is for his area and his constituency. We very much believe in inclusion and getting as many people involved as we possibly can. I will look at what he has to say and reflect on it.
Broadband — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
Edward Vaizey (Conservative, Centre-right): We will certainly consult on the reasonable cost test, and it may well be that a number of providers do provide the universal service obligation, which will potentially provide welcome competition. That will be open for consultation once we have passed legislation, which I know will have the support of the whole House.
EU Digital Single Market — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
Edward Vaizey (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has a mind of his own, and he quite rightly often takes the view that it is not worth listening to me, which is probably why he is such a successful Secretary of State. I do wish he would listen to me on this issue, however, because tech and digital companies do benefit from our membership of the European Union and they will continue to thrive if we stay in the EU.
Domestic Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Anthony Evennett (Conservative, Centre-right): As I have already said, there is good news on domestic tourism. The number of overnight trips in England in 2015 was up by 11%. Five regions—the east midlands, the west midlands, the south-west, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London—saw double-digit growth in domestic overnight trips on the previous year. Last year, there was positive growth in tourism in the east of England, including in both inbound and domestic visits and stays.
Domestic Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
William James Quince (Conservative, Centre-right): As you know, Mr Speaker, Colchester is the oldest recorded town in Britain and our first capital city. We have Roman walls, Britain’s only discovered Roman circus, and the largest Norman keep in Europe. May I invite the Minister to visit Colchester to see the amazing tourism potential that our town has to offer?
Domestic Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
Michael Louis David Fabricant (Conservative, Centre-right): As my right hon. Friend will know, we only have a new cathedral in Lichfield: the original, built in 650, burned down, so our current cathedral was built quite recently, in 1280. What can we do to encourage people to visit places such as Lichfield, which, beautiful though they are, are regarded by bus and coach companies as slightly off the beaten track?
Domestic Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Anthony Evennett (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend has been a tremendous champion for his constituency over many years. Thanks to the Chancellor, we have the £40 million Discover England fund to incentivise the development of world-class itineraries. I hope that my hon. Friend’s area and others like it will be looking to make applications to see that we get tourists to their parts of the world.
Domestic Tourism — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Anthony Evennett (Conservative, Centre-right): I know the fantastic opportunities that there are for tourist visitors to go to Northern Ireland and see what is on offer. We are trying to encourage people to have holidays at home—staycations—but we are also working with the devolved authorities to try to promote tourism, along with VisitEngland, Discover Northern Ireland, VisitScotland, Visit Wales and VisitBritain, so that we have a joined-up approach that shows the fantastic offer we have in our four countries of the United Kingdom.
Football: Television Rights — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: If he will take steps to ensure that football supporters from all nations of the UK have non-paying access to watch their national team play on TV.
John Flasby Lawrance Whittingdale (Conservative, Centre-right): The Ofcom code on listed events ensures that key sporting events are made available for free-to-air channels. Our sport strategy, published last year, made it clear that the Government do not propose to review that list.
Football: Television Rights — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: If he will take steps to ensure that football supporters from all nations of the UK have non-paying access to watch their national team play on TV.
John Flasby Lawrance Whittingdale (Conservative, Centre-right): Scottish football fans will have the choice of the three home nations that have qualified in the championships to support, and I am sorry that on this occasion Scotland did not make it through. However, the question of which matches are shown by which broadcaster is essentially one for the sporting authorities. The limited list applies only to a very restricted number of sporting events, but beyond that it is for each sporting body to decide how best to strike the balance between maximising revenue for their sport and reaching as large an audience as possible.
Football: Television Rights — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: If he will take steps to ensure that football supporters from all nations of the UK have non-paying access to watch their national team play on TV.
John Flasby Lawrance Whittingdale (Conservative, Centre-right): I completely agree with the hon. Gentleman and I am grateful to him for putting the case as he has done and giving me the opportunity to endorse everything that he says. We look forward to the matches in the championships to come and we wish all the home nations success. I have a second interest in that I drew England in the departmental sweepstake and will be supporting England in their match against Russia, which, sadly, was drawn by the Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch), so she will have torn loyalties. We hope nevertheless that that match and every other match pass peaceably and to the maximum enjoyment of those participating and watching.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: There is a great aspiration in Cornwall to have a sports stadium. The Minister will know of this aspiration. What financial or other support can his Department give to deliver the stadium for Cornwall?
John Flasby Lawrance Whittingdale (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to my hon. Friend and I pay tribute to his efforts particularly to bring about the stadium for Cornwall, which the Government are committed to. As he knows, I have already held two meetings with interested parties in Cornwall, which he was able to come to. I understand that good progress is being made, and that a draft planning application is now going before the council. I hope that that will lead to progress, and that we will see commencement of work on a stadium in the near future.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: There is a great aspiration in Cornwall to have a sports stadium. The Minister will know of this aspiration. What financial or other support can his Department give to deliver the stadium for Cornwall?; What protections can my constituents and others expect on mobile phone roaming charges in Europe in the event of an exit on 24 June?
Edward Vaizey (Conservative, Centre-right): That is a very good question. Britain was at the forefront of negotiating the reduction in roaming charges, working with our European partners, and it is yet another example of the benefit to consumers and citizens of being a member of the European Union.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: There is a great aspiration in Cornwall to have a sports stadium. The Minister will know of this aspiration. What financial or other support can his Department give to deliver the stadium for Cornwall?; What protections can my constituents and others expect on mobile phone roaming charges in Europe in the event of an exit on 24 June?
Robin Caspar Walker (Conservative, Centre-right): After the huge success of the London Paralympics, we all saw how Paralympic sport can inspire. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating my six Worcester constituents, who have been selected to represent ParalympicsGB in the wheelchair basketball at the Rio Paralympics?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: There is a great aspiration in Cornwall to have a sports stadium. The Minister will know of this aspiration. What financial or other support can his Department give to deliver the stadium for Cornwall?; What protections can my constituents and others expect on mobile phone roaming charges in Europe in the event of an exit on 24 June?
David Anthony Evennett (Conservative, Centre-right): I should be absolutely delighted to do so. I think it is very important that we wish all our athletes great success in Rio. The Paralympics are just as important as the Olympics and we wish them all success in their ventures.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: There is a great aspiration in Cornwall to have a sports stadium. The Minister will know of this aspiration. What financial or other support can his Department give to deliver the stadium for Cornwall?; What protections can my constituents and others expect on mobile phone roaming charges in Europe in the event of an exit on 24 June?; On Tuesday I met Jean Cameron, the project director for the Paisley 2021 bid for UK City of Culture, for the third time. Despite my asking the Deputy Leader of the House a few weeks ago to give the Secretary of State a nudge, the bidding cities for 2021 are still none the wiser about the dates involved in the process. May I encourage the Secretary of State to get on with it and allow them to plan appropriately?
John Flasby Lawrance Whittingdale (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sorry to learn of the problems faced by residents in the right hon. Gentleman’s constituency. We are keen to encourage sporting participation and excellence in sport. Perhaps better aiming in kicking the balls will help to alleviate the problem. That is certainly something we would seek to encourage
Northern Ireland Question Time — House of Commons, 2016-06-09
Topic: Other
Thérèse Anne Coffey (Conservative, Centre-right): Each Member is responsible for the questions they submit. Because of the way the process of tabling questions works, the Table Office is able to ascertain whether a question relates to a devolved matter or is the responsibility of a UK Government Minister answering at this Dispatch Box.