Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 January 2010.

The Prime Minister has thanked the voluntary and emergency services helping to ease problems caused by the heavy snow and widespread ice that continued across parts of the UK on Thursday.

Appearing on the BBC’s Radio Solent, the Prime Minister said central government was doing everything it could to help, adding: “If there are things that are outstanding, we should be told so we can take the action that is necessary.”

Gordon Brown said he had spoken to some of the UK’s largest salt manufacturers on Thursday, who had assured him they were working to ensure there was enough salt for gritting during the extended cold spell.

“What we’re trying to do first of all on gritting and on salt, is to make sure there is sufficient salt available in every part of the country. Some local authorities will have more salt than others.”

The PM said he had also spoken to the chief executive of the National Health Service and was satisfied that it was in the “right position” to deal with problems arising from emergencies.

Mr Brown said the government would continue to monitor the situation carefully around the country. He added that local people “doing extraordinary things” was making it possible for communities to come together in difficult times.

On Wednesday the Prime Minister joined Lord Adonis on a visit to the London Local Authority Coordination Centre headquarters in south west London to see the work of the emergency services during the cold snap.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 January 2010.

The Prime Minister has said the rights granted to energy companies today to develop the biggest expansion of wind energy in the world, will make a significant contribution to reducing emissions and boosting low-carbon jobs in the UK.

A number of companies have been given the go-ahead to develop new offshore wind farms by the Crown Estate, which owns the UK’s coastal seabeds.

The announcement has the potential to see an additional 32GW of clean electricity feeding into the UK grid.

Gordon Brown said the offshore wind industry could be worth £75 billion and support up to 70,000 jobs by 2020. He added that the Government’s support for offshore wind energy has put the UK ahead of every other country in the world.

“This new round of licences provides a substantial new platform for investing in UK industrial capacity.

“This announcement will make a significant and practical contribution to reducing our CO2 emissions and the Government will work with developers and the Crown Estate to support the growing offshore wind industry and help remove barriers to rapid development.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK has one of the best wind energy resources in Europe.

“Today’s news shows we’re creating the right conditions for the energy industry to invest in harnessing it.

“This is one of the strongest signals yet that the UK is locked irreversibly into a low carbon, energy secure prosperous future.”

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 February 2010.

The Prime Minister has said civilians deployed to conflict and disaster zones carry out work that is “vital” to the ongoing success of military and stabilisation operations.

Gordon Brown was speaking to members of the UK Civilian Stabilisation Group who assist with reconstruction in fragile, conflict-afflicted states.

The group was set up in 2008 following the PM’s commitment to create a 1,000-strong civilian pool, reporting to the MOD, FCO and DFID.

Members of the UKCSG have been deployed to a variety of countries since 2008, including Sudan, Kosovo, Georgia, the DRC and Haiti. The group’s first operation was in Musa Qala, Afghanistan.

The PM said civilian experts deployed in close coordination with the military are able to show immediate progress.

“This work in the field, which can so often go unnoticed, is absolutely vital to the enduring success of any military or stabilisation operation and building more secure communities where people feel they have a stake in the future through basic justice, schools, health centres and jobs.”

The Stabilisation Unit is drawn from across the public, private, civil and military sectors and has the expertise to support countries affected by conflict and disaster.

Recently the government announced that a small team of experts would be deployed to support the Haitian Ministry of Justice following January’s devastating earthquake. The Stabilisation Unit currently has two staff deployed in Port-au-Prince.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 February 2010.

Ten award-winning support staff recognised for their outstanding contribution to their schools have visited Downing Street.

The staff, including a school cleaner, a catering manager, an IT specialist and a teaching assistant, received special ‘support staff awards’ from the National Association of School Business Management after they were nominated by their fellow staff and pupils.

On Tuesday, the winners celebrated their achievements with a behind-the-scenes look at Number 10, where they met the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown.

The Prime Minister said:

“Support staff work incredibly hard behind the scenes to ensure schools across the country run smoothly. They play an important role in school life and have made a valuable contribution to improving the standard of education which is now at an all time high.

“These winners are highly respected, esteemed and appreciated by their colleagues and pupils. These awards give rightful recognition for their hard work and I’m very pleased these staff are having their day in the spotlight.”

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 February 2010.

The Prime Minister has warned that Iran will face tougher sanctions if it moves ahead with a nuclear weapons programme.

Major rallies are taking place in Tehran today on the 31st anniversary of the Iranian revolution.

Speaking from Brussels, Gordon Brown said now is a critical time for the country’s relationships with the rest of the world and its own people.

He said he would like to see dialogue with Iran, but “the patience of our countries is not inexhaustible”.

“I think the choices could not be clearer. Iran can either pursue a civilian nuclear programme, respect human rights and earn the trust and respect of the international community, or it can move ahead with its nuclear weapons programme, trample on human rights and be isolated and ostracized on the wrong side of history, outside the international community.”

Mr Brown said the UK is stepping up discussions with other countries about sanctions that could be imposed on Iran.

The Prime Minister was among EU leaders who attended a one-day informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels – the first held under the presidency of Herman Van Rompuy.

Climate change and jobs and growth were on the agenda at the meeting. Earlier, EU leaders from countries using the Euro had also met to discuss the economic situation in Greece.

Commenting on the meeting, a Downing Street spokesman said:

“We welcome the progress made today and Greece’s commitment to take action to stabilise its economy. We also welcome the euro area Member States’ commitment to ‘take determined and coordinated action to safeguard financial stability in the euro area as a whole’.”

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 April 2010.

A new task force to advise the Government on how to ensure small companies are treated fairly and properly when accessing bank finance was launched at Number 10 this morning.

Enterprise Champion Lord Sugar, outgoing Federation of Small Business chairman John Wright and former Lloyd’s TSB deputy chief executive Mike Fairey will comprise the task force.

They will build on the work Lord Sugar has been doing with small businesses, Business Link’s Financial Intermediary Service (FIS) and the banks and will help determine the role of the Small Business Credit Adjudicator (SBCA) announced in the Budget.

The SBCA will hear cases where a company may have been unfairly denied credit.

The PM told business leaders at a morning meeting that “we remain concerned that there are still companies who are unfairly denied credit and we feel that they are powerless to challenge the decision”.

But he said the new SBCA would consider individual cases and would have the legal powers to enforce his judgment, should he find in favour of a small business.

The PM said:

“I’m pleased that Lord Sugar has agreed to lead the task force alongside the outgoing chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, John Wright, who is with us this morning, and former Lloyds deputy chief executive Mike Fairey.

“And drawing on their decades and experience in enterprise, business and banking, they will advise the Government on the role and responsibilities of this adjudicator.”

The task force will meet banks and small businesses to discuss financing and credit issues.

It will consider potential powers and sanctions for the SBCA which could include the power to demand bank information and penalties.

A consultation document is to be published in the summer.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 April 2010.

The Prime Minister has met German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Chequers today.

The two leaders held talks on foreign policy and the economy, and also discussed topics such as climate change and the Middle East peace process.

Iran was also on the agenda, with Gordon Brown and Chancellor Merkel both supporting the idea of international sanctions against the country.

A Downing Street spokesman said:

“The Prime Minister and Chancellor Merkel had an excellent discussion at Chequers which focussed on foreign policy and the world economic situation. One year on from the London G20, they discussed the steps necessary to ensure another successful G20 summit in June.

“They also had a long discussion on climate change in advance of the Bonn meeting, and talked about the latest developments in the Middle East peace process. On Iran, there was strong support from both leaders for sanctions, and agreement on the continued need to engage with international partners on the issue.”

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 April 2010.

The Prime Minister has wished those celebrating Easter all over Britain and the world a happy Easter.

Gordon Brown said how “incredibly grateful” he was to Christian churches for all that they do.

The PM said this year was a particular reason to celebrate, as 2010 will see the first official visit of His Holiness the Pope to Britain.

The PM said:

“Easter is the most important date in the Christian calendar, because it is when we reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Christians all over Britain and the world will be celebrating in their homes and churches and thinking about the redeeming power of faith.

This year we have particular reason to celebrate, as 2010 will see the first official visit of His Holiness the Pope to Britain and also the 5th anniversary of the Gleneagles G8 summit where Christians of every denomination were instrumental in the securing greater justice for the poor.

The Christian churches are the conscience of our country, always ready to bear witness to the truth and to remind us of our responsibilities to what the Bible calls ‘the least of these’. I am incredibly grateful for all that you do to ensure our public square is more than a place of transaction and exchange and remains always, as it should be, a place of shared values and social justice.

With warm best wishes to you and your families for a Happy Easter,

Gordon.”