Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : UK endorses new guidelines for countering antisemitism [July 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 July 2024.

Lord Pickles endorsed the guidelines at a meeting of the World Jewish Congress Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism (SECCA) Forum in Buenos Aires.

On 17 July at the Argentina Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Buenos Aires, 36 countries endorsed new Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism, including the UK.

The UK was one of several countries who provided examples of best practice which the US reflected in the guidelines.

Lord Pickles, the United Kingdom Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues, said:

Congratulations to Argentina and the US. I am delighted that the global guidelines were one of the first documents the UK’s new government endorsed.

We need to learn from the IHRA non-legally binding definition that it is easy to adopt initiatives, but it is much harder to implement them. We must recognise the importance and protection of Jewish life. If we cannot protect our citizens, the state fails.

This is not just a responsibility for governments. Civil society has an important role to play, and these guidelines will be crucial in addressing the ongoing scourge of antisemitism.

08/08/2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK Government and defence industry stepping up support for Ukraine [July 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 19 July 2024.

The Defence and Business Secretaries met with President Zelenskyy and industry leaders in London on Thursday evening (18 July) to discuss deeper cooperation and the need to boost industrial production for Ukraine.

Since Putin launched his illegal invasion of Ukraine, the defence industry has provided vital equipment and munitions to Ukraine.

The meeting at Lancaster House with President Zelenskyy and senior representatives from UK Export Finance, BAE Systems, Thales UK, MBDA, KBR and Babcock came as two of the UK’s largest defence companies, BAE Systems and Babcock International Group confirmed updated contracts in support of Ukraine.

The developments came during this week’s European Political Community summit, hosted by the Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which has seen Ukraine’s President, visit to hold bilateral meetings, alongside his Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov.

Defence Secretary, John Healey, said:

The UK is united for Ukraine. The Ukrainians are fighting with huge courage, the military and civilians alike. Our new government has already pledged to step up support, confirming £3bn a year to help Ukraine and a new package of ammunition, anti-armour missiles and artillery guns.

Meeting with industry leaders, I emphasised the Government will continue to work in partnership with industry and the need to boost industrial production of vital military kit for both Ukraine and our own Armed Forces.

From industrial sites at home, to facilities in Ukraine, the UK defence industry has been providing critical equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Working with local partners, BAE Systems is providing maintenance and repair for weapons supplied by the UK from a facility in Ukraine.

Babcock International also announced a six-month extension to its contract with the MOD to continue to provide the maintenance, repair and asset management of vehicles.

Whilst this week, the MOD agreed to regenerate the UK’s ability to produce forgings for gun barrels, working in partnership with Sheffield Forgemasters, supporting the repair and overhaul of Ukrainian vehicles; this is the first step towards UK sovereign barrel production which has been developing for 20 years.

UK industry support of this kind will enable Ukraine’s armed forces to get maintain vital equipment, such as L119 Light Guns and the AS90 self-propelled gun, keeping it in the fight and repairing battle damaged equipment as quickly as possible.

Kevin Craven, CEO of the Defence trade organisation ADS, said:

The UK defence industry’s support to Ukraine continues and is unwavering. It is an honour for ADS and our members to work in such close collaboration with our partners.

Our industries have clear opportunities for collaboration, done so with the knowledge that we are protecting our collective security.

These industry announcements follow on from the success of the outward ADS-led trade mission earlier this month. The robust pipeline of trade missions have enabled industry, from Primes to SMEs, to contribute to Ukraine’s defence and also to learn from our allies in their turn.

It is clear that the war in Ukraine has become one of industrial production. Government and industry are united in our shared commitment to Ukraine and by working together, we are setting the building blocks for our 100-year partnership.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

We cannot have economic growth at home, without security and stability abroad.

The UK has been a steadfast friend and ally to Ukraine and they deserve our continued unwavering support. That’s why we will use our strong partnership with industry to deliver the military support essential for the country’s defence.

These announcements reaffirm the UK’s continued support for Ukraine. From recommitting to spending £3 billion a year of military support to the Government’s recent commitment to fast-track deliveries, the UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

08/08/2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories [July 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 July 2024.

The FCDO has issued a statement in response to the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion related to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development spokesperson said:

We have received the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on Friday 19 July and are considering it carefully before responding. The UK respects the independence of the ICJ.

The Foreign Secretary was clear on his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories earlier this week that the UK is strongly opposed to the expansion of illegal settlements and rising settler violence.

This government is committed to a negotiated two-State solution which can deliver a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

08/08/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Health and Social Care Secretary visits Berkshire hospital [July 2024]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 19 July 2024.

Secretary of State Wes Streeting spoke to staff and patients before meeting regional health leaders.
- Wes Streeting met staff and patients on visit to Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot
- The site is helping tackle backlogs of planned operations with dedicated surgical services
- Secretary of State also met with regional health leaders at ‘town hall’ event
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting underlined his mission to cut NHS waiting lists as he visited staff and patients at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot today (19 July 2024).

Mr Streeting toured the Berkshire hospital to see first hand how its work is helping patients get quicker access to planned surgery, cutting local waiting lists.

The Health and Social Care Secretary also hosted a town hall meeting with health representatives from across the region to discuss the issues facing services. It comes after he ordered an independent investigation into the NHS last week, pledging to be honest about the state of the health service and serious about fixing it.

Heatherwood Hospital exclusively performs planned surgery, diagnostics and outpatients’ services mainly focusing on high volume, low complexity surgery such as orthopaedics, ophthalmology, gynaecology and urology. The hub also performs surgery for cancer and plans to expand the specialties performed in its theatres.

It is set up to ensure patients have shorter waits for surgery, are more likely to be able to go home on the same day, and have a better patient experience – a model Mr Streeting wants to see emulated across the country.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said:

The NHS is broken. Millions of patients are waiting too long for treatment, often in pain and discomfort.

But services like those I’ve seen today at Heatherwood Hospital show that there are still great things happening in the health service. My job as Health Secretary is to take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS. I’m talking to patients, frontline staff, and NHS leaders about what needs to change.

We are determined to turn around the NHS so it can be there for all of us when we need it, once again. The NHS saved my life when I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and I can’t think of a better way to repay my debt than to help save the NHS.

Caroline Hutton, Interim Chief Executive for Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Heatherwood Hospital, said:

We are very proud of what we have been able to achieve for our patients through new ways of working and innovation using, for example, artificial intelligence (AI), digital patient records and collaboration with health and care partners to provide better care more efficiently.

We were delighted to have the chance to share with the new Secretary of State how our dedicated planned care hospital is enabling us to reduce waiting lists, including maintaining planned surgery and procedures during winter challenges and how we are sharing our learning throughout the NHS as a Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) surgical elective hub.

Today’s visit comes exactly 2 weeks since Mr Streeting was appointed Health and Social Care Secretary.

In that time, he has:
- met with representatives of the British Medical Association and announced the start of formal negotiations to end strikes
- met with the British Dental Association to discuss contract reform
- ordered an independent investigation into the state of the NHS
- visited a London GP surgery where he pledged to “fix the front door to the NHS”
08/08/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Student protests in Bangladesh – Foreign Office Reaction [July 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 July 2024.

Following the escalating violence during the student protests about quota reforms in Bangladesh, FCDO Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Catherine West gave a statement.

“The UK government is deeply concerned by the violence following protests in Bangladesh.

The UK supports fundamental freedoms and respect for human rights, including the right to protest and peaceful assembly.

We urge all sides to end the violence and find a peaceful way forward.”

08/08/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement between UK and France [July 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 July 2024.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the President of the French Republic met today at Blenheim Palace.

In this, the 120th anniversary year of the Entente Cordiale, the two leaders discussed the full spectrum of the bilateral relationship between the UK and France, the UK’s intention to reset its relationship with the EU and wider Europe, as well as international and global issues. 80 years on from the D-Day landings and the Liberation of France the leaders remembered the immense common sacrifices that both countries have made to defend their shared values and to protect their societies. And 30 years on from the opening of the Channel Tunnel, they recalled what the UK and France can build together when they do not constrain their ambitions, allowing their economies to flourish and their people to connect.

As fellow members of the G7, G20, NATO and permanent members of the UN Security Council, the UK and France will continue to work together to provide global leadership in an era of renewed geopolitical instability. They are committed to continuing to invest in the European Political Community format to bring together Europe’s democracies and contribute to regional stability and security through political dialogue and concrete cooperation.

Looking to the future France and the UK will pursue their cooperation across the full spectrum of the relationship, at both a bilateral and at a global level. This will include through a focus on sustainable economic growth, international development, energy security and driving low carbon solutions to tackle the climate and nature emergencies. They will embrace the opportunities presented by supporting the clean energy transition, reform of the international financial system and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence.

The UK and France reaffirm their deep commitment to Europe’s defence and security. This includes their steadfast support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal war of aggression, for as long as it takes, and for Ukraine’s irreversible path to NATO membership. Fourteen years on from the Lancaster House Treaty, the UK and France share the ambition to reinvigorate their defence cooperation to reflect the complex challenges of the modern era and the range of threats from hostile state and non-state actors to our shared values and interests.

The UK and France agree the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza along with the release of all hostages, unfettered access to humanitarian aid, the upholding of international law, and progress towards establishing a Palestinian State living in peace and security alongside a safe and secure Israel. They also agree on the importance of maintaining stability and security in the wider region.

The Prime Minister and President expressed their condolences for the victims of the tragic events in the channel yesterday and last week. They committed to strengthening their cooperation on irregular migration and the fight against criminal gangs responsible for this tragic loss of life through small boat crossings. The Prime Minister presented the UK’s new Border Security Command and the vital role it will play in this mission.

As a sign of the ever deeper cooperation between the UK and France, the Prime Minister and President welcomed UK support for the staging of the Olympics. They agreed to hold the next bilateral summit in the UK in 2025.

08/08/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Prime Minister Støre of Norway [July 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 July 2024.

The Prime Minister met Jonas Støre , the Prime Minister of Norway at Blenheim Palace today, as part of the European Political Community meeting.

The Prime Minister reflected on the close friendship between the UK and Norway, which was built on historic ties and a shared outlook.

The Prime Minister said he was also proud of the close defence partnership between the two countries, and said he hoped the UK and Norway could go further in the coming years to uphold stability in the High North

The leaders also discussed the importance of energy security, including how both countries could work together on green energy and renewables. The leaders agreed that they should initiate a Norwegian-UK partnership on security and energy transition.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

08/08/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain [July 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 July 2024.

The Prime Minister welcomed Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, to Oxfordshire this afternoon.

The Prime Minister set out his plan to reset the United Kingdom’s position on the international stage and said he hoped the change in approach would forge the way for an agreement on Gibraltar that worked for all parties.

The leaders also discussed the generational challenges facing Europe, including Russian disinformation, the climate crisis and illegal migration.

The Prime Minister said he hoped the UK and Spain could work even closer together to tackle such issues in the coming months.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

08/08/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer’s meeting with Prime Minister Tusk of Poland [July 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 July 2024.

The Prime Minister met Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at Blenheim Palace today, as part of the European Political Community meeting.

The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Tusk for attending the summit, and said he was looking forward to advancing the UK and Poland’s close friendship.

That relationship was not just based on historic ties but also shared values, the leaders agreed.

The Prime Minister said he hoped the UK and Poland could do more together on sectors of national importance, such as energy and defence.

Turning to Ukraine, the leaders discussed the situation on the battlefield and agreed on the need to never relent in the face of Russian aggression.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.”

08/08/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer’s press conference remarks at the European Political Community summit [July 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 July 2024.

Hello everyone, thanks for being here.

We’ve had a very successful and productive summit…

Bringing together 46 European leaders – including President Zelenskyy who addressed the EPC this morning.

We discussed once again our commitment to stand with Ukraine…

Including supporting their energy needs ahead of winter…

And cracking down on the ships that are helping Russia to evade sanctions.

We need to be clear that Ukraine is fighting not just for the Ukrainian people – and of course it is – But for the European people…

For freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

Our security therefore starts in Ukraine.

So we pledged to President Zelenskyy, once again, that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

We also had productive discussions on wider European security…

Defending our democracies against Russian interference…

And supporting countries like Moldova who are dealing with more direct threats.

It’s not just a good idea to work with our partners, it’s essential.

I said on the steps of Downing Street, that I would govern for the whole country – including those who didn’t vote for us.

And I meant it.

We can only make progress on the issues that so many people care about…

Like illegal migration and national security…

If we have the maturity and leadership to reach out a hand to our European friends.

And I want to congratulate Ursula von der Leyen on her re-election today as President of the European Commission.

So we are going to deepen our cooperation…

On defence and security…

And on illegal migration, where we are resetting our approach and that’s been central today.

We are going to smash the gangs, break their business model, and secure our borders.

We will do this, not by committing taxpayer money to gimmicks…

But with practical solutions, that are in line with international law.

As Director of Public Prosecutions, I saw the work that can be done, across borders…

To bring terrorists to justice and break up their networks.

I simply do not accept that we can’t do the same with organised migration crime.

We started that work here today.

We’re increasing the UK presence at Europol in The Hague…

To play our full part in the European Migrant Smuggling Centre.

We’ve agreed new cooperation arrangements with partners like Slovenia and Slovakia, to disrupt organised crime.

And with our new Border Security Command…

We are going to work with our European partners to share intelligence, data and expertise and put the gangs out of business.

To stop illegal migration, we must also tackle it at source.

So today I am announcing £84 million of new funding for projects across Africa and the Middle East.

That includes humanitarian and health support, skills training, help with job opportunities, and access to education.

This is a vital part of gripping the migration crisis.

And it shows how we are going to do business on the world stage.

We are facing up to the huge problems beyond our shores…

Because these problems echo at home.

The effects play out on our streets.

In a dangerous world, we serve no-one and solve nothing by turning inward.

We have to step forward and lead.

That’s what we’re doing – that’s what we’ve shown here today.

Because it’s the best way to uphold our values…

And keep our people safe.

So, I’m proud to leave this summit with stronger relationships across Europe…

And to leave the EPC in a stronger position as well.

With a clear agenda for the coming months…

And the next summits confirmed in Hungary this year…

And Albania and Denmark in 2025.

Thank you very much.

08/08/2024