argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Under-occupancy Charge — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Housing
Damian Howard Green (Conservative, Centre-right): As I have said, the use of discretionary housing payments by local authorities is proving successful. Inevitably, some local authorities are using them differently from others but, as the Court confirmed, they are a sensible and practical way to proceed to ensure that those who need help will get it.
Under-occupancy Charge — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Other
Damian Howard Green (Conservative, Centre-right): I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has absorbed the words of the Prime Minister on the steps of Downing Street, which were indeed memorable and correct. All Government policies are related to achieving what she set out to achieve.
Under-occupancy Charge — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Housing
Damian Howard Green (Conservative, Centre-right): I am not sure whether the hon. Lady heard me when I said that all the cases—those that the Government won and those that they lost at the Court last week—were in receipt of discretionary housing payments. It is not a question of the money—they were getting money—but of the structure of the policy, which is what the Court has challenged. The discretionary housing payments have been paid to those people.
Under-occupancy Charge — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Mixed Topics
Damian Howard Green (Conservative, Centre-right): I can only present the facts, which are that there were seven cases, five of which were won by the Government and two by other people, but I take the hon. Gentleman’s point about the wider policy. We look at all our policies all the time to ensure that they are delivering what they set out to achieve.
Under-occupancy Charge — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Housing
Damian Howard Green (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not have figures at that level of detail. I hope that Southwark Council has been assiduous in using discretionary housing payments to make sure that people have not lost out financially, because those DHPs are available.
Under-occupancy Charge — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Housing
Damian Howard Green (Conservative, Centre-right): No, I do not think I should stand at the Dispatch Box and challenge the Supreme Court. The hon. Gentleman is right: the supply side is as important as the demand side. That is why this Government are spending huge amounts of money to help the housing market generally, and the affordable housing market specifically. I wish that previous Governments had done the same.
Croydon Tram Incident — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. I am most grateful to the Minister for his statement, in terms both of the content and the way in which he delivered it. I feel a duty to inform the House that two commis chefs in the service of the House were among those injured in the tram incident last Wednesday. On behalf of all colleagues, I have written to both to express the hope that they will enjoy a full and, if possible, speedy recovery.
Croydon Tram Incident — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Barwell (Conservative, Centre-right): Like my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour, the Remembrance Day services in Croydon at the weekend obviously took on a special poignancy, with people taking the opportunity to remember those who gave their lives in the past to protect our freedoms in this country, but also those who lost their lives in this tragic accident Like my hon. Friend, I have had people contact me with their concerns about the operation of the system over a period of time. I assure him that the investigation will look into those issues. As I said in answer to the shadow Minister, I do not think we should prejudge what needs to happen at this time. Clearly, the investigation will look into such issues, and the Government will take very seriously any recommendations from that investigation.
Croydon Tram Incident — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Barwell (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman, who is a constituency neighbour, is right to draw attention to the work that the council and the Mayor have done in setting up the fund, which will prove invaluable to some of the families. Given the nature of the communities from which they come, some of them will face costs that will be difficult to bear. He is quite right to draw attention to that issue I reassure the hon. Gentleman, as I have reassured my constituency neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon South (Chris Philp), that the investigation will look at all the evidence on the safety of the system that is drawn to its attention. If constituents contact the hon. Gentleman, I encourage him to direct them to submit such evidence to the inquiry On the speed of the inquiry, I reiterate that an interim report will be published this week. There may well be issues that the RAIB can draw to the attention of the regulator, the operator and the Secretary of State. Experience suggests that the full report will take 10 to 12 months to produce. However, as I said in my statement, if issues emerge during its work, it is able to make recommendations in the interim. Our constituents should rest assured that any issues that come out of the investigation will be drawn promptly to people’s attention.
Croydon Tram Incident — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Barwell (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman touches on one of the most difficult issues with such disasters, which is the media’s reporting of them. We all understand and respect the job the media have to do, but I can report that the families of the victims whom I have met have found the media intrusion at a time of terrible grief very difficult to come to terms with. One family sat down to watch the news of the US election, only to see a photo and the identity of their loved one revealed on a TV news bulletin. They had not been told in advance that that was going to happen. I am sure all hon. Members understand how distressing that might be We all understand the vital role the media play in our society in disseminating information. It is natural that a day or two afterwards, attention turns to what caused the accident, and that naturally leads one into speculation, but the most important thing is to allow the three investigations to run their course, because that is the best way to make sure we get the facts about what caused the accident and understand what each of us needs to do to ensure that it does not recur.
Croydon Tram Incident — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Barwell (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for his kind words. If I may make a generic observation, in my three to four months as a Minister my reaction to nearly everything I have been told has been, "Can’t we do it quicker than that?" I am sure that he is right that most of my constituents would want to see the final report as quickly as possible, exactly as the hon. Member for Croydon North (Mr Reed) said; none the less, I do not think that it is my job, or our job in this House, to rush people who have a very difficult job to do. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I had the opportunity to see just what is involved in gathering the kind of evidence needed for an inquiry of this kind. I have the utmost respect for the work that those individuals are doing.
Croydon Tram Incident — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Other
Gavin Barwell (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that expression of sympathy. I think I am right in saying there are six living former Members for my seat, with reflects either its attractiveness as a place to live or its hyper-marginality.
Technical and Further Education Bill — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Immigration
David Henry Rutley (Conservative, Centre-right): I must declare that I, too, am a comprehensive-educated special adviser from a long time ago, which may be familiar to you, Madam Deputy Speaker. We will move on from that. I spent many years in business, too, and that is why I am pleased to be able to speak in this debate Before I get to the meat of my remarks, I want to join my hon. Friend the Member for Dover (Charlie Elphicke) and the hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Nic Dakin) in recognising the important work that FE colleges do throughout the country. In Macclesfield, we have a great principal in Rachel Kay, who is moving things forward. That is great There have been lots of interesting developments over the past few months. Following on from Brexit, there has been Trexit—we might want to think what is Nexit—[Hon. Members: "Oh!"] It took a while. It is not clear what will happen, except that it is clear that there are vital lessons we need to learn. One lesson I took away from the referendum campaign and from Brexit was that there was an underlying concern from many people across the country about the impact of immigration As I spoke to people during the referendum campaign, it was clear to me that the concern ran deeper than just that. There was a sense of insecurity and a desire for greater security about jobs, work and prospects for the future. Those concerns will not be addressed by changes to immigration policy alone. That is why the Government are right to take a more comprehensive approach, a more comprehensive response, working to enhance an industrial strategy, continuing with welfare reforms, and pressing ahead with plans to address the skills gap that has been too prevalent for far too long. That is why this Bill is so important Since being elected in 2010, I have often spoken in the House on the importance of social mobility. I want to see more first-time entrepreneurs, more first-time employers, more first-time exporters and, crucially for those from the most challenging backgrounds, more first-time employees. A strong focus on those four roles, the four E’s, as I call them, and on motivating people to take on those roles, especially for the first time, delivers the key to economic success Progress in technical and further education and in apprenticeships is vital for the life chances of those seeking first-time employment. I therefore strongly support the Bill. I support it because it seeks to open clear, defined, aspirational paths to success, and it has the potential to help create much-needed parity of esteem between academic education and technical education, as has been talked about during the debate. That is further evidence that we on the Government Benches are the real workers party and that my right hon. Friend the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills is at the vanguard of that movement.
Technical and Further Education Bill — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Other
Eleanor Fulton Laing (Conservative, Centre-right): Mr Hunt is excited at the prospect of another three hours from the Minister, but it is incumbent on every Member of this House to judge the mood of the House, the pace of the debate and the necessity of taking up the time of the House. From my observation and experience, a speech of between 10 and 15 minutes from a Minister winding up is usually appropriate and welcomed by most Members of the House.
M25: Dartford — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Other
Adam James Harold Holloway (Conservative, Centre-right): I am extremely sorry that the hon. Member for Wolverhampton South West (Rob Marris) did not get his way and see the previous debate continue for a further three hours, because that would have given me time to actually write a speech. It is a bit of a disaster, but I am sure that my hon. Friends the Members for Dartford (Gareth Johnson) and for Thurrock (Jackie Doyle-Price) will be delighted.
M25: Dartford — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Other
Adam James Harold Holloway (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes. There is only one real option now— option C—but I think that if option A were accepted that should be the case, and, indeed, the same would apply to any of the other options, historically.
M25: Dartford — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Other
Eleanor Fulton Laing (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. By coincidence, the hon. Gentleman’s mistake is actually correct. He is unaware that he has used the word "you". I never pick people up on that on the first occasion when it is a mistake, but the hon. Gentleman is an experienced parliamentarian, and he will know that if he says "you", he is referring to the Chair. Normally I object very significantly if a Member says "you", meaning another Member but technically referring to me. In this case, the hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct to refer to me, but wrong to do so in the way that he did.
M25: Dartford — House of Commons, 2016-11-14
Topic: Other
Adam James Harold Holloway (Conservative, Centre-right): I will give way in a moment. I fear that something has happened with the political classes in these places. It has almost become a sort of truism: it is quite hard to go anywhere now. I do not know whether I am allowed to ask a question to someone who is about to intervene on me, but I will throw this out there: I would have thought that, if this were possible, my hon. Friend would love to see a long tunnel that could save his constituents.
EU Funding: Community Groups — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Henry Edward Millar Smith (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my right hon. Friend agree that there is no such thing as EU money—it is taxpayers’ money—and that when business rates are kept locally by local authorities, thanks to this Government, local community groups will be able to benefit from that funding?
Planning Permission — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): Some 100,900 planning permissions were granted in the quarter April to June 2016. This is a 6% increase on the same quarter in 2015. However, people cannot live or work in planning permissions, so developers need to move ahead to build.
Planning Permission — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Jason McCartney (Conservative, Centre-right): What measures can be brought forward to get developers who are sitting on land with planning permission to get building? When I say "get building", I do not mean four or five-bedroom detached properties, but two and three-bedroom properties that are affordable to my constituents?
Planning Permission — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend raises an important point. We are clear that sites with planning permission should move ahead without delay, and we are taking steps to speed up development through our Neighbourhood Planning Bill and the new £3 billion home building fund. In addition, the national planning policy framework expects councils to plan for a mix of housing to meet local needs.
Planning Permission — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): It is true that under the previous Labour Government, housing starts fell to their lowest level since the 1920s, and I can also confirm that the housing supply numbers for the latest year available are up by 9%.
Planning Permission — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend has been a passionate and committed campaigner on this issue, and I respect that tremendously. The Government placed a hold on the Birmingham local plan precisely because they value the green belt: it is very, very special. However, when a local community has come forward with a robust plan, has looked at all the alternatives, has considered its housing needs and has prioritised brownfield sites, and when the independent planning inspectorate has said that the plan conforms to all the rules and regulations, the Government have no valid reason to stand in the way.
Planning Permission — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): Unlike the right hon. Gentleman, I get my figures from the Office for National Statistics. According to the ONS, housing supply amounted to 189,650 additional homes in 2015-16, which is an increase of 11%, and the level is the highest for eight years. I believe that when the right hon. Gentleman was the Housing Minister, housing starts fell to their lowest level since the 1920s The right hon. Gentleman asked about affordable homes. We have provided more money for affordable homes than any previous Parliament, and there has been an increase of 304,000 since 2010.
Planning Permission — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): What was a disaster was a decline of 410,000 in the number of social housing units during the 13 years of the Labour Government. Since then, the number has risen by more than 60,000. If the right hon. Gentleman does not agree with me, perhaps he will agree with his former colleague, now the Mayor of London, who said of the money allocated to affordable housing in last week’s autumn statement: "This is the largest sum of money ever secured by City Hall for affordable housing."
Planning Permission — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Kevin Paul Hollinrake (Conservative, Centre-right): I tend to spend more time here these days, Mr Speaker Does the Secretary of State agree that if we are to create more opportunities for small and medium-sized house builders, we need to allocate more small sites in local plans?
Planning Permission — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes, I do agree with my hon. Friend. He will be pleased to know that the new accelerated construction fund will ensure that allocations of that kind are more forthcoming, and that the £3 billion home building fund will provide more support for small and medium-sized builders.
Neighbourhood Plans — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government are committed to neighbourhood planning, which enables communities to shape the development and growth of their local areas in a positive manner. The Neighbourhood Planning Bill will further strengthen and future-proof the process, while ensuring that communities have the support that they need.
Neighbourhood Plans — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Miriam Jane Alice Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): Well-supported neighbourhood plans and agreed local plans are critical to good local planning and housing. How does the Secretary of State aim to hold to account councils that fail to deliver agreed and well-supported local plans by early 2017, and those that fail to support and encourage neighbourhood plans and hence the right mix of local housing?
Neighbourhood Plans — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): We expect all authorities to have a plan in place and to keep their plan up to date. We have put that requirement beyond doubt by legislating for it in the Neighbourhood Planning Bill. My hon. Friend’s local council, Eastleigh Borough Council, has not taken the issue seriously and has let down local residents. She is right to stand up for her constituents. Her council should follow her example.
Neighbourhood Plans — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Mixed Topics
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Lady makes a good point. We should always be looking at what more can be done to combat antisocial behaviour. She has raised an excellent example. I was not aware of it but, now that she has raised it, I will take a closer look to see whether we can extend it.
High Streets — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Andrew Theakstone Percy (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government are committed to supporting high streets. We are cutting business rates for many retailers and developing digital high street pilots in Gloucestershire. In the run-up to Christmas—my hon. Friend’s background is in retail—I hope that we can all take the opportunity to support our local high streets, shop local and support Small Business Saturday this weekend.
High Streets — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Luke Anthony Hall (Conservative, Centre-right): The Sodbury chamber of commerce is starting a programme to help local businesses to use social media to promote the high street. What are the Government doing to support initiatives such as that being demonstrated so skilfully in Chipping Sodbury?
High Streets — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Andrew Theakstone Percy (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes an important point. Last week, I chaired my first future high streets forum, where we heard about the excellent work undertaken in the digital pilots across Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud. That is an important tool through which we can attract people back to our high streets. We will be doing further work through the forum on these digital roll-outs.
High Streets — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Peter Heaton-Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): When it comes to supporting our high streets, will the Minister join me in welcoming Small Business Saturday this weekend, because it plays such an important part in helping our smaller, independent retailers on our high streets? Will he join me in congratulating North Devon Council, which has just announced an hour’s free parking in Barnstaple in the run-up to Christmas?
High Streets — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrew Theakstone Percy (Conservative, Centre-right): I am more than happy to congratulate North Devon Council on its announcement on free parking. As I have said, free parking has made a huge difference in my area in bringing people back to our town centres. I reiterate that I hope that Members will get out and support Small Business Saturday throughout the country.
High Streets — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Andrew Theakstone Percy (Conservative, Centre-right): We are working through the future high streets forum on the issue of connecting people better to their high streets through digital media, including social media. I point to the example of Bishy Road, York, which last year won the Great British High Street award and used its winnings to develop an app with Newcastle University to do just that. A lot of work is going on in that regard.
High Streets — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Andrew Theakstone Percy (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s comments. It is important that we have a mix of different outlets on our high streets and I know that there are concerns about this in many town centres. It is of course for local councils to make appropriate use of the powers available to them, but I am happy to look into the issue further and discuss this with the hon. Gentleman if required.
High Streets — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Mark Julian Francis Pawsey (Conservative, Centre-right): The Minister has just referred to alternative uses in our town centres, and one of them can be tourism. Does he agree that a great example is provided by Rugby Borough Council in its development with World Rugby in creating the Hall of Fame, opened earlier this month, in the most appropriate place: the birthplace of the game of rugby?
High Streets — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Andrew Theakstone Percy (Conservative, Centre-right): There can be no better place for such a venue and I congratulate Rugby on that development and my hon. Friend on his support for it. It is true that we need our town centre spaces to include a mix of different uses to attract people back into our towns, to support the retail offer there too.
House Building — House of Commons, 2016-11-28
Topic: Housing
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): The Government are investing over £25 billion over this spending review period. Our home building fund will help small builders, our accelerated construction programme will see more homes built faster, and we announced a further £1.4 billion for our affordable homes programme in last week’s autumn statement.