Author: admin

Grant Shapps – 2023 Speech to the Atlantic Council at its Global Energy Forum

The speech made by Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, in Abu Dhabi on 14 January 2023.

The UAE seems to be playing some part in my fate.

Last year, I found myself just 100 kilometres away from here.

But, far from the beaches and the skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it felt like a different world.

There, in the middle of the desert, I saw a sparkling sea of a different kind.

The deep blue shine of millions of photovoltaic panels in the sun, generating hundreds of megawatts of renewable electricity.

Panels which will eventually become part of one of the largest solar plants in the world.

I had little idea then that fate would return me here only a year later as the Minister responsible for energy.

Today, some things remain the same; the UAE is still right at the cutting edge in generating low-cost solar power on a frankly stunning scale. Right here in Abu Dhabi, they’re breaking fresh records in solar technology at Al Dhafra and Shams.

But much has changed, and not just for me.

In many ways, we find ourselves in a different world.

The last time this forum convened, Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine was just beginning.

Now, we face a winter which, for many in Europe, is overshadowed by concern about falling energy supplies and rising prices…

…a winter when households have had to think twice before turning up the thermostat…

…when factories have been forced to pause production…

…when inflation has rocketed…

and growth has slowed.

It is also a winter that comes at the end of a year that saw flooding in Pakistan…

…heatwaves in the UK…

…and bomb cyclones in the US.

A year when we began to feel the likely impacts of climate change in earnest.

There is much about the last twelve months that I could not have foreseen back then.

And looking forward to 2023, the future is far from clear; I certainly wouldn’t want to make too many predictions.

But – putting matters of predestination aside – there’s one thing we can be sure of: energy matters now more than ever.

So where do we go from here?

Perhaps we are best off starting with the ways that world has changed for the better in 2022.

Off our Eastern coast, we completed Hornsea Two – the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

There, you will find over a hundred turbines.

At their very highest point, they are a dizzying 200m above the stormy seas below.

For those of you who have visited the Zayed Sports City Stadium, that’s almost the height of two football pitches stacked on top of each other.

Just a single rotation of one of these turbines generates enough electricity to power a home for 24 hours.

But Hornsea Two is far from our first success – because we’re home to the world’s second, third, and fourth largest wind farms, too.

Today, all of them are capturing the high winds of the North Sea, in a year when we beat our record for wind power generation three times.

And across the Atlantic in California, we’ve witnessed another extraordinary achievement.

Just a month ago, scientists at the Laurence Livermore National Laboratory announced one of the most significant energy breakthroughs in living memory.

Aiming 192 high-powered lasers at a tiny spherical capsule just 2mm wide, they were able to harness the same reactions that power the sun and stars to demonstrate fusion ignition, proving what until now had only existed in theory and paving the way towards what could be one day a near-limitless source of energy for the future. And back in the UK, we’re taking leaps of our own.

We’re not just developing our very own fusion power plant, a ‘spherical tokamak’ on the site of an old coal power station in the Midlands. We are also operating the Joint Energy Torus, the most powerful fusion facility in the world and taking the lead in regulating and commercialising fusion technology, working out the best way to get it out of the lab and into the real market place, and into the world.

These are stories of entrepreneurs and innovators, working together to deliver clean, secure energy for millions, and jobs for thousands more.

Stories that tell us that the fates of energy security, net zero, and the economic growth are inseparably intertwined.

Dependable supplies of fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, have a crucial role to play in easing the energy transition, which we just heard about in the discussion on stage.

But it is only by harnessing the power of transformative green technologies that we can build a global energy system that is fit for the future.

Whether that’s in the UK, where we’re developing small modular reactors which promise to make nuclear easier, faster, and cheaper… and we have been running them in the sea for the last six days.

…or here in Abu Dhabi, where operations have begun at the Barakah nuclear power plant, the first nuclear power plant not just in the UAE but in the whole Arab world, expected to deliver up to a quarter of the nation’s electricity needs when fully up and running…

…and where, last week, ADNOC announced $15bn to accelerate its decarbonisation strategy, investing in everything from energy efficiency and electrification to carbon capture.

Now yesterday, I signed a Clean Energy Memorandum between the UK and the UAE to promote energy security and investment between our two nations.

Agreements like this matter. Because when it comes to climate change, the whole world has a stake. And none of us should have to settle for less.

So working together really matters…

…to deliver a low-carbon future that isn’t just more secure and more prosperous…

…but a future that is fairer is a future I think that is worth fighting for.

Our International Climate Finance has already provided an astonishing 58 million people with improved access to clean energy since 2011.

But we are delivering on our pledge to double it up to at least £11.6bn from 2021, reaching tens of millions more.

Because the Green Industrial Revolution must not leave anyone behind.

After all, you can’t just shut down your power stations and be done with it, leaving millions without energy or employment.

That’s where Just Energy Transition Partnerships come in. They are mobilising billions to support the transition from coal power to clean growth in key economies like South Africa and Indonesia.

And, by investing in new green energy supplies, electric vehicles, and hydrogen, they are providing security and opportunity for communities across these countries.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have to say it is fitting that we are here in the UAE, 2023’s COP28 President elect Sultan Al Jaber and his great leadership and speech this morning. Because it is here that we are seeing and building on the extraordinary progress that has been made since Glasgow, built on in Egypt, but this year we will have to see those real developments, in this stocktake COP taking place in November and December.

We face challenges the likes of which no generation has ever faced before.

Let me just take you briefly back to that solar sea in the desert that I talked about visiting last year.

Today, they’re building the tallest solar tower in the entire world.

Concentrating the heat reflected by tens of thousands of moving mirrors onto a single point, it will be a shining a beacon hundreds of meters above the ground – and a lighthouse above the blue beneath.

Innovations like these -creating powers in new ways – must be an inspiration for us all, guiding us towards a better energy technology of tomorrow.

But none of this can be done alone. None of it can be done alone.

I have talked today about fate, not just my fate but also your fate – or our joint fates.

And I said before that we could only be certain of one thing: energy matters more today than it ever has done in the history of humanity.

In the face of great challenges, we have no oracles to turn to…

…nor do I have any Delphic maxims to offer.

But, without climbing the steps of Mount Parnassus, or any other high mountain, I think there is one thing that we can be absolutely sure of…we will succeed as humanity in doing this.

One thing I can’t be certain of is my fate, other than to say, I know the UAE will continue to be a big part of it and I can predict with absolute confidence that I will be back here in December. I look forward to seeing you all at COP28. Thank you very much.

14/01/2023
James Cleverly – 2023 Statement on the Execution of Alireza Akbari

The statement made by James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, on 14 January 2023.

The execution of British-Iranian Alireza Akbari is a barbaric act that deserves condemnation in the strongest possible terms. Through this politically motivated act, the Iranian regime has once again shown its callous disregard for human life.

This will not stand unchallenged and we will be summoning the Iranian Charge d’Affaires to make clear our disgust at Iran’s actions. Our thoughts are with Mr Akbari’s family.

14/01/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Far-reaching ban on single-use plastics in England [January 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 January 2023.

A range of polluting single-use plastics will be banned in England, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has announced today.

The ban will include single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers. This ban will be introduced from October 2023, allowing businesses time to prepare.

According to estimates, England uses 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery — most of which are plastic — and 721 million single-use plates per year, but only 10% are recycled. If 2.7 billion pieces of cutlery were lined up they would go round the world over eight and a half times (based on a 15cm piece of cutlery).

From October, people won’t be able to buy these products from any business – this includes retailers, takeaways, food vendors and the hospitality industry. Over 95% of those who responded to our consultation were in favour of the bans, the Government’s response, published today (Saturday 14 January 2022), reveals.

Plastic pollution takes hundreds of years to break down and inflicts serious damage to our oceans, rivers and land. It is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, from the production and manufacture of the plastic itself to the way it is disposed.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

We all know the absolutely devastating impacts that plastic can have on our environment and wildlife. We have listened to the public and these new single-use plastics bans will continue our vital work to protect the environment for future generations.

I am proud of our efforts in this area: we have banned microbeads, restricted the use of straws, stirrers and cotton buds and our carrier bag charge has successfully cut sales by over 97% in the main supermarkets.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

Plastic is a scourge which blights our streets and beautiful countryside and I am determined that we shift away from a single-use culture.

By introducing a ban later this year we are doubling down on our commitment to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste. We will also be pressing ahead with our ambitious plans for a deposit return scheme for drinks containers and consistent recycling collections in England.

It is expected that banning these items will have a significant impact in reducing plastic waste and littering in England. Plastic cutlery, for instance, was in the top 15 most littered items in the country by count in 2020.

Previous bans, such as banning straws, stirrers and cotton buds, have reduced the damage from these plastics. Before we banned these products, it was estimated straws, stirrers and cotton buds collectively contributed to around 5.7% of marine litter. After our ban, the Great British Beach Clean 2021 reported cotton bud sticks had moved out of the UK’s top ten most common beach litter items.

The Government is also carefully considering further measures around other commonly littered and problematic plastic items, including wet wipes, tobacco filters and sachets, following the call for evidence on this issue.

Future steps that could be explored include banning plastic in these items, and mandatory labelling on packaging to help consumers dispose of these items correctly. A new research project will also look into the impact of wet wipes on blockages in the sewage system, and will inform any future policy actions.

The ban will not apply to plates, trays, and bowls that are used as packaging in shelf-ready pre-packaged food items, as these will be included in our plans for an Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme – which will incentivise producers to use packaging that can be recycled and meet higher recycling targets. For example, this would include pre-packaged salad bowls and bowls filled with food at the counter of a takeaway.

Matt Hood, Co-op Food MD said:

We have been at the forefront of eradicating unnecessary plastic, so it is encouraging to see this ban being introduced and we have already removed plastic cutlery from our food to go, offering wooden forks instead. We were the first retailer to ensure all of our own brand food and drink packaging is 100% recyclable through our in store soft plastic recycling scheme, with all the soft plastics returned being processed in the UK.

I welcome today’s announcement, and believe we must all continue to work together if we are to combat the climate emergency, and have an environment we are proud to pass on to future generations.

Richard Swannell, interim CEO of WRAP, said:

We are in full support of this announcement by Defra, which marks important progress in the wholesale removal of problematic and unnecessary plastics that can end up as plastic pollution. WRAP is working with UK businesses to meet ambitious targets in this important area, and our latest results show an 84% reduction in problematic and unnecessary single use plastics by our UK Plastics Pact members since 2018.

We’re delighted to see these efforts being backed up by regulation, which will accelerate efforts to keep plastic out of the environment.

These plans build on our previous efforts to eliminate avoidable plastic waste, including:
- One of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products announced in 2018
- Restrictions on the supply of single-use plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds in 2020.
- Plastic Packaging Tax in April 2022 – a tax of £200 per tonne on plastic packaging manufactured in, or imported into the UK, that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic.
Following the huge success of the 5p single-use carrier bag charge, in May 2021 we also increased the minimum charge to 10p and extended it to all retailers, taking billions of bags out of circulation.

Through the Environment Act, the Government is bringing in further measures to tackle plastic pollution and litter. This includes a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers to recycle billions more plastic bottles and stop them being landfilled, incinerated, or littered via a small deposit on drinks products to incentivise people to recycle, and plans for Consistent Recycling Collections for every household and business in England.

Plastic pollution is a global issue and we are committed to working with international partners to tackle it. As such, the UK was proud to support the ambitious resolution at the United Nations Environment Assembly that kickstarted negotiations for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
14/01/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK supports Ukraine’s initiative for a just and sustainable end to this war [January 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 January 2023.

Ambassador Barbara Woodward speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Thank you President. And I join others in thanking Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing and welcoming among us H.E. Dzhaparova, the First Deputy Foreign Minister, and H.E. Gerwel, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.

This is our first meeting on Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine since the 9th of December last year. Many of us have spent the time since then resting, recuperating, celebrating with family and preparing for the New Year.

Russia has spent that time bombing civilians, attacking Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, and attempting to seize Ukrainian territory –– as it did for most of last year.

Russia has continued to do this with the assistance of Belarus, and using weapons sourced from Iran and North Korea in violation of Security Council resolutions and with utter contempt for this Council.

President, millions of Ukrainians spent the holiday period sheltering from missile and drone attacks, sitting in the dark and the cold, and living as refugees, displaced persons, and prisoners; many of them thousands of miles away from their homes, families and loved ones.

As the Secretary-General said yesterday, this war has created a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe, traumatised a generation of children and accelerated the global food and energy crisis.

As a result, millions more across the world are facing another year of hunger and hardship caused by Russia’s war.

President, as many of us have said repeatedly, Russia can choose to end all this immediately: by stopping its attacks against Ukraine – not just for thirty-six hours, but for good – and by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine.

While Russia’s assault continues, however, Ukraine has no choice but to exercise its right to defend itself.

But, like the rest of us, what Ukraine wants is a just and sustainable peace. We support Ukraine’s initiative to this end.

We join the international community in again calling for an end to the war, which respects Ukraine’s rights under international law and the UN Charter, so that this year, may be a year of peace.

14/01/2023
James Cleverly – 2023 Statement Warning Iran Not to Execute Alireza Akbari

The statement made by James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, on 13 January 2023.

The Iranian regime should be in no doubt. We are watching the case of Alireza Akbari closely. Iran must not follow through with their brutal threat of execution.

14/01/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Colombia and the United Kingdom renew their strategic partnership on climate and nature [January 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 January 2023.

Colombia and the UK renewed their “Partnership for Sustainable Growth”, to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to promote sustainable, low carbon and nature-positive development.
- The Partnership focuses on halting and reversing deforestation, implementing a just and ambitious energy transition, and promoting the sustainable use of biodiversity, with a commitment to supporting local communities across the country. This next phase of the Partnership will also expand to include new and vital areas of collaboration, including halting biodiversity loss in land and marine ecosystems, whilst also ensuring participation and mainstreaming of gender and social inclusion.
- The UK also announced two new innovative projects to empower indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in Colombia. Working with WWF, the UK will accompany IPLCs to enable them to harness the international carbon markets and maximise the opportunities they provide. The UK will also join a project led by GAIA Foundation to support the official recognition of Indigenous Local Governments in the Amazon.
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 7 November 2022 James Cleverly, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, was joined by his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Leyva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Lord Zac Goldsmith, and the Colombian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad, to renew the UK-Colombia Partnership for Sustainable Growth. Both countries pledged to continue their innovative work on climate change, while deepening their collaboration to protect key land and marine ecosystems.

The UK-Colombia Partnership for Sustainable Growth, an ambitious agreement signed in 2019, is a strong example of how bilateral collaboration can address the socio environmental challenges of climate change through a cross-cutting agenda that includes forests and biodiversity protection, renewable energy, sustainable mobility and infrastructure, as well as sustainable livelihoods and mobilising finance for climate and nature.

Recognising the need to jointly address the biodiversity and climate crisis, both countries will deepen their bilateral cooperation on climate change and increase efforts to protect and restore nature and biodiversity in land and marine ecosystems.

This will include further work on the illegal wildlife trade, ocean pollution and forest and marine protection, with gender and social inclusion integrated at all stages, including recognising the central role played by indigenous people and local communities in nature conservation.

Building on the important work carried out to-date, the UK is pleased to announce that, from early 2023, we will also start working with WWF Colombia to empower indigenous communities and help them to harness and maximise opportunities from international carbon markets, ensuring fair processes and best practices.

A second project with GAIA has also been confirmed, which seeks to support the official recognition of Indigenous Local Governments in the Amazon, who are currently protecting 11 million hectares of forest and promote improved conditions.

Commenting on the renewal of the UK Colombia Partnership for Sustainable Growth, James Cleverly, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, commented:

The UK and Colombia are working closely together to prevent deforestation, promote a just energy transition and protect Colombia’s incredible biodiversity. I’m delighted to renew the UK Colombia Partnership for Sustainable Growth today to deepen that co-operation even further, on one of the greatest shared challenges we face.

Lord Zac Goldsmith, Minister of State for Overseas Territories, Commonwealth, Energy, Climate and Environment, said:

Colombia is one of the most beautiful places I know and for me it is very important to be here with you at COP27 and to be able to make this Alliance. The Amazon is wonderful, we must protect the paramos, its frailejones and its important water production.

The Colombian Minister, Susana Muhamad, also commented:

The United Kingdom is a strategic ally to focus on the defence of the Amazon and create a new face for this program that seeks to stop deforestation in our country.

The renewed Partnership for Sustainable Growth sets out a clear roadmap for UK Colombian cooperation on climate and nature during President Gustavo Petro’s administration with defined priorities from both countries.
14/01/2023
Stephen Kinnock – 2023 Speech on Windrush Lessons Learned Review

The speech made by Stephen Kinnock, the Labour MP for Aberavon, in the House of Commons on 10 January 2023.

The reality is that this Government’s treatment of the Windrush generation is surely one of the most shameful episodes in our post-war political history. The Windrush community played a pivotal role in rebuilding Britain. We all owe them a debt of honour and gratitude but, instead, consecutive Conservative Governments have treated them with utter contempt. First, they were victimised under the hostile environment policy, and then they were let down by a poorly administered compensation scheme, under which just 1,300 people have been awarded compensation when the Government originally estimated that 15,000 should be eligible. Now it is reported that the Government are set to betray the Windrush generation once again by U-turning on their commitment to implementing all 30 recommendations in Wendy Williams’s lessons learned report.

In September 2021, the then Home Secretary, the right hon. Member for Witham (Priti Patel), restated her aim to put right the wrongs of this sorry affair, yet today we find the Government are rowing back on some of their commitments, including by refusing to hand additional powers to the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration and by scrapping reconciliation and community events.

Why are the Government so terrified of scrutiny? Their toxic combination of incompetence and indifference is failing the Windrush generation, just as it is failing the country as a whole. Given that Wendy Williams says that only eight of her recommendations have been implemented, will the Minister tell me today how many of the Williams recommendations have been implemented and how many the Government are ditching, as is widely reported by the media?

Why have thousands of the Windrush generation still not received any compensation at all? On the 75th anniversary of the Windrush landing, are the Windrush generation being betrayed by this Government once again?

Sarah Dines

This Government are absolutely not betraying the Windrush generation. Successive Governments of all colours have failed to step up to the mark, but this Government are stepping up. The Windrush generation are rightly identified as British and have the right to be in this country, and this remains separate from the many narratives that have been written.

The hon. Gentleman knows that the Government do not comment on leaks. What I can say is that we have matched the scale of Wendy’s challenge with the scale of our ambition and delivery. Wendy acknowledges that our ambition to achieve genuine cultural change requires ongoing reflection, which is what we are doing. The Home Office has provided regular updates on the good progress, and the statistics bear out the hard work that is happening.

I am afraid that the narrative is simply not quite right. I remind the House that 4,558 claims have been received, and the total compensation offered is £59.58 million, of which more than £51 million has already been paid. Fifty-nine per cent. of claims have a final decision and, as a lawyer in my previous profession, I know that that is quite a high number. The Government are absolutely committed to righting this injustice.

13/01/2023
Sarah Dines – 2023 Statement on Windrush Lessons Learned Review

The statement made by Sarah Dines, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office, in the House of Commons on 10 January 2023.

Since the injustices of Windrush came to light, there has been a concerted effort across the Home Office to right the wrongs suffered by those affected. That work continues, and the Department is making sustained progress on delivering on the recommendations of the Windrush lessons learned review of 2020 and the commitments made in the comprehensive improvement plan of 2020. In her report last year, the independent reviewer Wendy Williams concluded that 21 of her recommendations had been met or partially met. She acknowledged that the scale of the challenge she had set the Department was significant and that change on that scale takes time.

We have made progress in delivering against Wendy Williams’s recommendations. In October 2022, the Home Office established the Office for the Independent Examiner of Complaints, and Moiram Ali was appointed as the independent examiner following a public appointment recruitment process. The Home Office has also held over 200 engagement and outreach events across the country, and the Windrush help teams have attended over 120 one-to-one surgeries to help people apply for documentation.

As of the end of October 2022, the Home Office has paid out or offered £59.58 million of compensation to Windrush victims. The “Serving Diverse Communities: Acting on Our Values” learning package was launched across the Home Office in June 2022, starting with recommendation 24 on learning for senior civil servants and recommendation 29 on diversity and inclusion. The learning package for recommendation 6 on the history of the UK and its relationship with the rest of the world has been designed and is undergoing final review prior to implementation.

I am pleased that the independent reviewer of Windrush progress has concluded that there are several areas in which very good progress has been made, but she rightly holds the Home Office to account for areas and recommendations where sufficient progress has not yet been made. She concludes that there can be “no doubt” that the Department has risen to the “daunting challenge” she set us.

We know there is more to do. Many people suffered terrible injustices at the hands of successive Governments, and the Department will continue working hard to right the wrongs and to deliver a Home Office worthy of every community it serves.

13/01/2023
Elliot Colburn – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Domestic Burglaries

The parliamentary question asked by Elliot Colburn, the Conservative MP for Carshalton and Wallington, in the House of Commons on 10 January 2023.

Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)

Carshalton and Wallington residents are deeply concerned about burglaries. I welcome the Metropolitan police’s commitment to attend all burglaries, but will my right hon. Friend outline what his Department is doing to ensure that those who are arrested receive appropriate sentences?

Dominic Raab

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I can tell him that domestic burglary has actually fallen by half since 2010, and the Metropolitan police’s operational tenacity is one element of that. On sentencing, the maximum sentence is 14 years. That is obviously an individual decision for judges, but I can also tell him that since 2010 the average sentence has increased by nine months, from 22.6 months to 31.6 months. There has been a step change and an increase in sentences for burglary, as well as the measures we are taking on police and law enforcement.

13/01/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement – 10 key benefits [December 2021]

The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 16 December 2021.

The deal will play an important role in levelling up the UK, delivering benefits for towns, cities and rural areas throughout the country. It is expected to increase trade with Australia by 53%, boost the economy by £2.3 billion and add £900 million to household wages in the long-run.

1. Unprecedented access for British services and investors

This deal goes further than Australia has ever gone before in giving services companies access to the Australian market. This means that UK services from architecture and law to financial services and shipping will be able to compete in the Australian market on a guaranteed equal footing. This could increase exports of UK services to Australia, worth £5 billion in 2020.

UK investors will also benefit from more access than ever before to opportunities in Australia, with guaranteed rights to invest across the Australian economy. The majority of UK investments will no longer need to be reviewed by the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board – saving time, saving money and cutting red tape for UK investors.

2. Better business travel for British professionals

Business travel is one of the biggest contributors to enabling more trade and investment. For the first time UK service suppliers including architects, scientists, researchers, lawyers and accountants will have access to visas to work in Australia without being subject to Australia’s changing skilled occupation list. This is more than Australia has ever offered any other country in a free trade agreement, and will improve long-term planning for British businesses.

3. Tariff-free trade for all British exports

The deal removes tariffs on all UK exports to Australia, making it cheaper to sell iconic products like cars, Scotch whisky and UK fashion to Australia. This will support industries that employ over 3.4 million people in the UK. Flexible rules of origin mean that UK businesses can use some imported parts and ingredients and still qualify for the new 0% tariffs when exporting to Australia.

4. Easier for young Brits to travel and work in Australia

As part of the overall mobility package, Brits aged 18 to 35 will be able to travel and work in Australia with a Working Holiday Maker Visa for up to 3 years, deepening the people-to-people and cultural links between our two countries. Young people will no longer have to work on a farm to use this visa to live and work in Australia.

Australia will also pilot 2 new visa schemes for UK citizens, allowing early career workplace exchanges of up to one year for graduates between 21 and 45.

5. Digital trade opportunities for a global tech superpower

The deal provides more opportunities for UK firms to trade digitally with Australia, including in British tech, creative industries, finance, telecommunications, and many other sectors. It secures the free flow of data necessary for British businesses to provide many products and services to customers, while locking-in a legal requirement for personal data protection in both countries. The deal will save many firms from the cost of setting up servers in Australia, and it makes business easier through the use of electronic contracts and electronic signatures.

Businesses will have confidence that their valuable intellectual property will be protected. The deal guarantees fair access for telecoms companies into Australia and forges greater cooperation on 5G and cybersecurity. The world’s first dedicated innovation chapter establishes a Strategic Innovation Dialogue which will drive the commercialisation of new technology and ensure the deal keeps up with technological developments.

6. Lower prices for British shoppers and manufacturers

The removal of UK tariffs on Australian favourites like Jacob’s Creek and Hardys wines, Tim Tams, swimwear, surfboards, and boots will boost choice for British consumers. UK manufacturers will benefit from cheaper access to important Australian machinery parts like hydraulic power engines and pressure-reducing valves which will allow them to be more competitive and grow their businesses.

7. Slashing red tape for entrepreneurs and small businesses

The deal cuts red tape currently faced by more than 13,000 SMEs across the UK who already export goods to Australia. Customs authorities will release all goods within 48 hours, if requirements have been met, with fast-track parcels and perishable goods like food being released within 6 hours. SMEs will benefit from dedicated websites for businesses and information to help them trade with Australia. Businesses from all sectors and regions will benefit from the use of modern digitised trading systems and digital documents, saving time and money.

8. Access to billions of pounds worth of government contracts

British companies will now be able to bid for Australian government contracts worth around £10 billion per year on an equal footing with Australian companies. It is the most substantial level of access Australia has ever granted in a free trade agreement. UK businesses will have the legally guaranteed opportunity to bid for contracts in major infrastructure projects like railway constructions and road upgrades, as well as for financial and business services procured by Australian government bodies covered by the deal.

9. Stronger cooperation on shared challenges

The UK and Australia are close allies with a shared belief in fairness, free enterprise, and the rule of law. This deal builds on our deep relationship, which has been strengthened by recent partnerships such as AUKUS and the Clean Tech Partnership.

The deal will uphold high standards and foster collaboration on challenges like tackling climate change and unfair trading practices which undercut and harm our domestic industries. The deal creates new opportunities to grow the low-carbon economy, for example by cutting tariffs on UK exports of wind turbine blades and electric vehicles (previously 5%).

10. A major step for UK trade in the Indo-Pacific

Australia strongly supports UK membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which would open up 11 markets worth £8.4 trillion GDP for British exporters and investors. Australia itself is projected to be a top 10 global economy by 2050. Early access to trading opportunities in this region will secure superior access for UK exporters to these growing markets, with two thirds of global middle-class consumers expected to be in Asia by 2030.

13/01/2023