UKPOL.CO.UK

Category: Speeches

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Message for Chanukah

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Message for Chanukah

    The message issued by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 7 December 2023.

    As we welcome the beginning of Chanukah, it’s important to recognise the challenging times being faced by our Jewish friends everywhere.

    For many families, the tragedy of recent events will hang heavily on celebrations, but the resilience you have shown is humbling.

    As we commemorate the recovery of Jerusalem all those centuries ago, I want to celebrate the enduring strength of Jewish communities.

    I will be lighting the menorah with you as you mark this important festival and want you to be in no doubt that I will always stand with you.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2023 Speech on Cyber Operations

    Oliver Dowden – 2023 Speech on Cyber Operations

    The speech made by Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, on 7 December 2023.

    Of all the risks that this country faces… there are none that are evolving more rapidly than those in the cyber domain.

    More actors…

    Have more sophisticated tools…

    To target more people…

    Than ever.

    Protecting the public from cyber attack is a matter of the utmost importance.

    Let’s be clear what’s being targeted here.

    The critical services that government delivers:

    Our public finances…

    Our roads and railways…

    Our schools…

    Our health service…

    Our armed forces…

    Even the heart of central government itself.

    Of all the vaults that cyber criminals are desperate to crack into…

    … this one contains some of the greatest rewards.

    That’s why we see so many attempts to breach our digital defences.

    Last year, 40 per cent of the attacks addressed by the National Cyber Security Centre were against the public sector.

    In a world where the new frontline is online…

    …the people in this room are manning the barricades to keep us safe and secure…

    … and for that I want to say thank you.

    Despite the challenges we face, our cyber defences are stronger than ever.

    Since it was published two years ago, the Government Cyber Security Strategy has been a game-changer.

    Work is well underway to ensure that government’s most critical functions are significantly hardened to cyber attack.

    And we have established ambitious targets that will see all government organisations made resilient to known vulnerabilities and common attack methods.

    Through GovAssure – which I launched in April – we have transformed the oversight of governmental cybersecurity…

    And the new ‘Government Cyber Coordination Centre’ – better known as ‘GC3’ is bringing together a community of cyber defenders from across government…

    …sharing best practice…

    … and showing that a “whole of government approach” is not a slogan, it’s a reality.

    Working together with the National Cyber Advisory Board… (which I Chair)…

    …and of course the National Cyber Security Centre.

    All of you play a crucial role in iterating the strategy…

    … and ensuring it is implemented right across Government.

    Your work never stops… because the risk of attack never stops.

    The threats we face are increasing and the nature of those threats is evolving.

    Technologies are developing at an exponential rate…

    …and have lowered the bar for hostile actors – states and criminals.

    The biggest cyber threats are not just to our public services but the democratic means by which we deliver them.

    Some states are likely to be harnessing significantly more sophisticated technology to sow confusion and dissension and chaos in our society.

    Malicious actors continue to target high profile people within the political process.

    This is not an abstract possibility. We have already seen it…

    In Ukraine – with deep-fakes of President Zelensky…

    In the US – where Iranian hackers have been indicted for undermining voter confidence and sowing discord…

    And here in the UK – with our Electoral Commission targeted by a complex cyber attack.

    As I warned at CYBERUK in Belfast in April…

    …the greatest risks still emanate from the “usual suspects”…

    …China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.

    But they are increasingly using ‘Wagner-style’ sub-state hackers to do their dirty work.

    Today in concert with our Five Eyes and Euro-Atlantic partners….

    I can tell you that a unit within the Russian Federal Security Service, known as Centre 18, has been behind sustained hostile cyber operations…

    …aimed at interfering in parts of the UK’s democratic processes…

    This has included targeting members of parliament…

    …Civil servants, think tanks, journalists, and NGOs…

    …through a group commonly known as Star Blizzard.

    This group, operated by FSB officers, has also selectively leaked and amplified information designed to undermined trust in politics, both in the UK and in like minded states.

    A senior representative of the Russian government has been summoned to the Foreign Office this morning and appropriate sanctions have been levelled.

    Our political processes and institutions will continue to endure in spite of these attacks.

    But they serve to prove that the cyber threat posed by the Russian Intelligence Services is real and serious.

    It is a stark reminder that…

    as we in government develop our capabilities…

    …so do our adversaries, and those who do their bidding.

    We are in a cyberspace race…

    …them – to develop the tools to do us harm…

    …us – to build the defences needed to protect against their attacks.

    Next year, 3 billion people in 40 countries will head to the polls …

    … and it is a fact that hostile state actors will continue to seek to undermine these collective expressions of democracy…

    …because they fear the freedoms they represent.

    We must – all of us – do all we can to resist.

    There are two main ways in which we can get ahead:

    Strengthening our cyber security systems…

    …and improving our skills.

    First, our systems.

    It wasn’t that long ago that the government was still using fax machines.

    I worked for the administration that helped to bring Whitehall into the digital age…

    …and made our services “digital by default”.

    The challenge is to make those digital systems “secure by design”…and to embed effective cyber security practices into our digital delivery.

    That’s why I am announcing today that we will make security everyone’s responsibility…

    …and make “secure by design” mandatory for central government organisations.

    This approach is already inspiring our partners around the world…

    …and, like our earlier digital revolution, is likely to be emulated around the world.

    Your role in embedding this approach at home will be crucial.

    Then there is the question of skills.

    In this room we have a wealth of deep technical expertise…

    …and we have the ability to share and collaborate with our international partners.

    But we need the experts of the future to be coming up, through that pipeline, to meet the challenges of the future.

    In the UK, as around the world, the shortage of cyber skills affects both the public and private sectors.

    It is estimated that we have a shortfall of around 14,000 professionals….

    …and that shortfall is particularly stark in the public sector.

    As one of the largest employers of cyber security experts, the government’s actions can make a real difference to the makeup of the national profession.

    So we have launched apprenticeship and fast stream programmes focused specifically on finding and developing  cyber talent.

    This is the new frontline.

    And we must form a united front…

    …government, business, academia, individuals, all coming together to pre-empt and ward off these risks.

    Not just “whole of government” – but “whole of society”.

    It is what we have that our adversaries and their agents lack: unity.

    And there are huge opportunities in that…

    …particularly for our entrepreneurs and innovators.

    They will develop the defensive technologies that will protect not just this country… but the world.

    Britain has the opportunity to lead … in tech, in AI and in cyber…

    …because the best place in the world to do business must also be the safest place in the world to do business…

    …and together we can make that a reality.

    Thank you.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Letter to Robert Jenrick Following His Resignation

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Letter to Robert Jenrick Following His Resignation

    The letter sent by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 6 December 2023.

    Text of Letter (in .pdf format)

  • Stuart Andrew – 2023 Speech to the GambleAware Annual Conference

    Stuart Andrew – 2023 Speech to the GambleAware Annual Conference

    The speech made by Stuart Andrew, the Gambling Minister, in London on 6 December 2023.

    Good afternoon, everyone. I am absolutely delighted to join you here today.

    It really is inspiring to look out at the room and see such a variety of voices come together to think about our shared ambition to prevent gambling-related harm, and to build a society which provides the right level of support when and where it is needed most. I would like to specifically acknowledge the role GambleAware has played in pushing forward this objective.

    I know many of you in the room have paid very close attention to the plans for a white paper since the launch of our Call for Evidence back in 2020. I know it has been a long road for all of us but I am very pleased that we were finally able to publish a substantial set of proposals. Those clearly outlined the government’s vision for the sector and a commitment to strengthening protections against gambling-related harms.

    Central to that ambition is of course the decision to introduce a statutory levy, which will transform how research, prevention and treatment is funded. It will mandate for the first time how gambling companies contribute their fair share towards battling the impact of gambling harms.

    We are working quickly to get the levy, and all the other protections outlined in the white paper, in place as soon as we can, through a range of mechanisms.

    For example, we have recently included a provision in the Criminal Justice Bill – going through Parliament at the moment – to give the Commission greater powers to tackle the black market. This is just one example, but we will continue to pursue whatever route delivers the protections quickest or the most effectively.

    As you all know, earlier this year we published our gambling white paper, the most comprehensive review of gambling laws in 15 years. With multiple consultations already completed or in progress we remain very much on track to deliver the main measures of our review by the summer of next year, including the statutory levy.

    I know all of you are particularly invested in the levy consultation, and ensuring that we introduce a system that builds an holistic approach to investment in tackling gambling harms. It represents a generational change to funding arrangements for research, prevention and treatment; and will ensure that we have an effective, integrated system between public and third sector to tackle gambling harms.

    That is why we are consulting. We have always taken an evidence-led approach and will continue to ensure that the government considers the best available information. It is important to me that your views inform our approach to implementing this landmark reform in an effective, evidence-led and proportionate way.

    We have welcomed the financial contributions that industry has made to research, education and treatment since the introduction of the Gambling Act.

    But funding is not the only requirement, and this alone will not achieve our objective for a system which is equitable, ensures a high degree of long-term funding certainty, and guarantees independence.

    For the first time, the levy will ensure trusted and sustainable funding to not just pay for treatment, but to further understand and tackle the sources of gambling harm through vital investment in research and prevention.

    It will help to better protect people and ensure that the necessary funding is being delivered effectively and directed where it is needed most.

    The levy will be paid by gambling operators and collected by the Gambling Commission, with spending decisions approved by DCMS and the Treasury, putting the flow and independence of funding beyond doubt.

    I am confident in the way forward and the meaningful opportunities the levy presents. But getting the transition right and ensuring all parties are working closely together is my immediate priority.

    To me this means two things:

    Firstly: Keeping funding flowing. We have to guarantee that funding remains secure and accessible through the existing system to deliver the important work that many of you are directly involved in on the frontline. It is absolutely crucial for me that there is no disruption to services in the interim.

    Secondly: Getting the timing right. We need to manage the introduction of the levy and the build-up to full funding so that there is sufficient time to get the right infrastructure, processes and relationships in place.

    Together, this will support a smooth transition to the new system.

    Since the launch of the consultation, I have been engaging widely with stakeholders across the sector on these issues and will continue to do so – my message to you is that my door will always be open. I want to make clear today that I have received a commitment from industry to maintain funding until the levy is in force. My department and I are working at pace to see that commitment communicated in no uncertain terms to the sector.

    On the broader point around transition, it is vital that we walk before we can run. We need to take the time to get it right.

    This will then mean moving quickly to introduce the levy in Parliament so that the statutory foundations are there. But then I want a clear roadmap in place to ensure that your great work has the time and resources to flourish, while we look to improve and expand our collective efforts to prevent gambling-related harms.

    I would now like to turn to prevention.

    Too often we see and hear about the devastating impacts of harmful gambling. The Commission’s important work through the Gambling Survey for Great Britain recently presented a higher quality picture of gambling participation and harm than has existed previously.

    While the Survey is still in development and the statistics are experimental, the indication is that 2.5% of adults are gambling with negative consequences, with even greater numbers at risk. This makes clear that while the majority of people gamble safely, there is still more to do to tackle gambling related harm.

    Our white paper outlines a host of new measures we and the Gambling Commission are implementing to protect those most at risk.

    But prevention is also about creating a society which has a clear awareness of gambling-related harms, the right support available for those in need, and trust in the services themselves.

    Stigma is perhaps the biggest barrier preventing people from seeking help, and I want to specifically mention GambleAware’s vital campaign, which is helping to raise awareness of the issue and helping people take that all important first step to getting the support they need.

    An effective prevention plan seeks to identify the right mix of interventions at both the population and individual level. Done well this helps to build an educated, supported and protected society when it comes to gambling-related harm.

    For the first time, the levy will provide sustainable funding for the government to develop a coordinated prevention approach, at the local, regional and national level, providing investment for organisations across Great Britain.

    This will facilitate more upstream interventions where intervention is most critical and most effective.

    This is why I felt it was important to take a broad approach to our consultation in relation to prevention. I want us to closely consider the full range of perspectives and options available so that we can design an effective system to deliver the targeted prevention we require.

    I hope the consultation made our ambitions in this space clear. I want to see a levy system which prevents and reduces harm much earlier, while ensuring the right services are available for those who need them across our country.

    For that, we need the best available evidence, especially from those with lived experience, to create the right structures for the funding, commissioning and evaluation of prevention activity.

    I want to be absolutely clear that fulfilling this ambition is, and will be, impossible without the third sector.

    The essential work that GambleAware and many of you in the room have taken forward over the years has provided support and education for so many people; many of whom may have otherwise been left confused, facing closed doors or experiencing further harm. I want to thank you sincerely for that.

    I am not just saying this as someone who has worked in the third sector. Charities and local organisations are often closer to the populations they are trying to help, support and treat. I am fully aware of that and it is a priority for me that we do not lose expertise in the system.

    Effective and innovative collaboration between public bodies and the third sector is absolutely vital.

    We want a system which has no ‘wrong door’ for people seeking help, where the referral pathways are right and where learning is constantly being shared. I hope you will agree that this is an important objective for the future of an effective system of research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms.

    Thank you once again for inviting me to speak today. It is really heartening to see this group come together to discuss and collaborate on such an important range of issues.

    I know that Andrew Rhodes, who is up next, will agree with me on the importance of collaboration, and I thank him for the work the Commission is taking forward at considerable speed to help us deliver on the white paper.

    I hope that you will all engage with our consultation on the levy which closes next week, and that the rest of today’s discussions are productive and I look forward to continuing working with you all.

  • Michelle Donelan – 2023 Speech to the Horizon Celebration Event

    Michelle Donelan – 2023 Speech to the Horizon Celebration Event

    The speech made by Michelle Donelan, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on 4 December 2023.

    From day one of becoming Britain’s first Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology,

    I made a commitment…

    …to place the views and voices of our greatest innovators and our boldest researchers right at the heart of my department’s work.

    They told me loud and clear how essential Horizon Europe was for ensuring that British science could play its part on the world stage.

    And I agreed.

    We also agreed on the importance of securing a good deal – one that gives the best and the brightest of the UK’s scientific community access to the world’s largest research collaboration programme.

    A deal that delivers for British scientists, taxpayers, and businesses.

    I am proud that today we have signed, sealed and delivered that deal…

    …A bespoke agreement which is not just in their best interests,

    but in the best interests of global scientific endeavour and discovery.

    Months of painstaking work, of close negotiations, of Ministers and officials working around the clock with their EU counterparts have all culminated in this defining moment.

    The agreement we are celebrating today gives us a chance to write a new chapter in the story of British and European collaboration…

    …One which will see our greatest minds working together…

    … unlocking the bold scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow…

    … and bringing our colossal collective strength to bear on the greatest challenges of our time – from our quest for new, clean, green energy through to finding cures for conditions like heart disease and dementia.

    And to anyone who doubts the scale of our ambition or the significance of the deal that has been agreed,

    I say: just look at what we have already accomplished.

    Under our association to Horizon 2020 the UK established over 230,000 collaborative links across 163 countries.

    And together we expanded the frontiers of knowledge…

    Take Graphene Core 3.

    A boundary-breaking project which saw some of our finest universities including Cambridge, Warwick and UCL working with a dream team of academics and businesses across over 20 European countries.

    This led to a brand-new patented technology which can harness hydrogen fuel cells.

    It bolstered us to take another massive leap forward towards our net zero future.

    In our thriving life sciences sector, Imperial College worked with Horizon partners on developing a new HIV vaccine.

    And thanks to the pooling of resources and the sharing of expertise, this crucial research helped launch early-stage clinical trials.

    As Sir Elton John told British MPs just last week,

    we have turned the corner in our fight against HIV

    and it is scientists working through Horizon which have helped us get there.

    but tonight our eyes are firmly fixed on the future…

    …I want us to support Horizon Europe’s mission to create 300,000 new well-paid jobs by 2040.

    And I want us to play a leading role in areas like AI – a game-changing technology which will define this decade.

    This is an area in which Britain can bring so much to the global table.

    We have led the international charge in supporting AI’s safe development, with the historic Bletchley Declaration signed by the EU and 28 other nations just last month.

    Now, our greatest minds and thinkers can contribute to Horizon partnerships in AI, Data and Robotics worth over £2 billion.

    And we can bolster Horizon’s scientific missions which I know will deliver enormous benefits for people in Britain, in Europe and around the world.

    That includes Horizon’s cancer mission – accelerating research into better preventing, diagnosing and treating this life-threatening disease….

    …A mission to support 3 million patients by 2030.

    In the UK, we have set ourselves our own target of diagnosing three-quarters of cancers at stages 1 or 2 by 2028.

    The two will complement and reinforce each other and advance our global efforts to treat and cure cancer.

    In partnership with the British Academy, and other key backers, we intend to support selected UK researchers applying for Horizon pillar 2, through ‘pump priming’ funding. Up to £10,000 will be available per application.

    We want to give support to those researchers who have not had experience with Horizon before, including next generation researchers – so the fund will target to ensure we can maximise the UK’s involvement in the world’s largest research collaboration This will enable more of our inventors, researchers and innovators to submit strong applications so they can turn their exciting, ground-breaking, world-changing ideas into reality.

    Of course, beyond Horizon, the deal we are celebrating today also means

    participation in Copernicus and its state-of-the art earth observation system.

    It is a huge win-win…

    It is a win for our academics reinventing how we predict complex weather patterns.

    How we fight climate change.

    How we revolutionise agriculture.

    It is a win for dozens of British businesses in the earth observation sector.

    Businesses who are ready and raring to bid for multi-million-pound contracts to help design and deliver Copernicus technology.

    I know everyone in this room shares my excitement about what lies ahead.

    Louis Pasteur told us that ‘Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity. It is the torch which illuminates the world.’

    That spirit of global cooperation has defined the Horizon programme since its inception.

    In this pursuit of new ideas, new breakthroughs, new knowledge,

    The UK is delighted to join you once more.

    And we will be with you every step of the way.

    Thank you.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Speech on the Economy

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Speech on the Economy

    The speech made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, in Enfield on 20 November 2023.

    I’m here today to talk about the central purpose of our economic policy:

    To give you the opportunity to build a wealthier, more secure life for you and your family.

    We should not be apologetic about that.

    About the nobility of aspiration, the rewards of hard work, the dreams we have for ourselves and our children:

    Owning our own home.

    Starting a business.

    A healthy, happy retirement.

    And leaving our children a more comfortable life.

    But I know that right now, that dream feels out of reach for too many.

    So the most urgent choice our country faces, is how we change that.

    [Please note: Political content redacted here]
    Our approach is different.

    One that gets inflation down and keeps it down.

    One that believes the private sector grows the economy…

    …and where government has a role, it must be limited.

    One that believes in cutting taxes – but doing so carefully and sustainably.

    And one that is ambitious about the unprecedented opportunities for this country…

    …from the new wave of technology. Our approach starts with controlling inflation.

    High inflation eats away at your pay packet.

    It makes mortgages more expensive and stops you getting on the housing ladder.

    It makes pensions and savings worth less.

    In other words, inflation is a tax.

    And it erodes that dream of a wealthier, more secure life that we want for everyone.

    And that’s why we’ve provided unprecedented support for people’s energy bills and the cost of living.

    And it’s why at the start of this year, I committed to halve inflation.

    Back then, inflation was around 11%.

    And now, in October, the Office for National Statistics confirmed it fell to 4.6%.

    Now I’m not saying the job is done.

    But it does mean we have met our commitment to halve inflation.

    Prices are no longer rising as quickly.

    Energy bills have fallen significantly.

    And for many, wages are now rising faster than prices.

    And it shows something else:

    That when we make a major economic commitment, we will deliver it.

    It would’ve been far easier to give into the strikes with inflationary pay rises…

    …or any number of calls for higher spending and borrowing.

    But we held firm.

    And with inflation halved, we can now look forward…

    …towards the future economy that we want to build.

    As we do so, the country faces a critical choice about how we grow the economy.

    Do we continue with the big government, high spending, high borrowing, and high taxes, that were necessary through the pandemic?

    Or, as we believe, should we change our approach, and grow the economy through the dynamism of the private sector?

    Nothing shows the difference between those two visions more than the people asking you to believe in them.

    I’ve spent most of my career working and investing in businesses, large and small.

    The Chancellor spent his life before politics starting and running businesses.

    That’s where we learnt about the economy.

    My approach is rooted in what I learned growing up, working in Mum’s pharmacy.

    She worked so hard – we all worked so hard – not just because that was where our living came from.

    But because it was ours; we owned it; we all had a stake in its success.

    If we worked hard and took pride in our work and provided a good service, then business would improve.

    If we didn’t, it wouldn’t.

    The economy is about people, free to pursue their own ideas, in their own interests, in their own way.

    To support themselves and their families through the dignity of their own work.

    I’m not saying government has no role.

    My record is not that of a market fundamentalist.

    When a crisis hits, governments must intervene – just as we I did with furlough.

    The state must step in where the private sector won’t.

    Not least to provide high quality public services like the NHS…

    Or to improve public health with our plan to create a smoke-free generation…

    Or to invest in our future growth, with infrastructure, skills, and the incredible opportunities of science and technology.

    And in a world where Putin is willing to weaponise energy…

    …and we face the strategic challenge of a more assertive China…

    …we must be smarter about protecting our economic security.

    But our opponents are profoundly wrong to argue…

    …that the shocks we’ve seen in the last few years, or the need to transition to Net Zero…

    …mean we should borrow £28 billion a year, and permanently have bigger government.

    We should be as clear-eyed about government failure as we are about market failure.

    So the bar to intervene in people’s lives should be high.

    Because history tells us that if it’s not, the inevitable conclusion is…

    …higher spending, higher borrowing, higher mortgage rates, and higher taxes.

    Greater regulation and intervention, stifling people’s energy and initiative.

    Less trade, meaning less choice and higher prices.

    And economic power concentrated in the hands of a small government elite…

    …allowing more influence for vested interests and the trade unions.

    This is a recipe for stagnation, not growth.

    And it would take our country backwards, not forwards.

    So we choose a different path to deliver growth.

    Where we back people and businesses.

    Where the state is there for you during the bad times but gets out of the way during the good.

    And where the path to prosperity lies not in ever more government intervention…

    …but in creating the conditions for businesses to thrive.

    And so to grow the economy, we will take five long-term decisions.

    Reducing debt.

    Cutting tax and rewarding hard work.

    Building domestic, sustainable energy.

    Backing British business.

    And delivering world-class education.

    The first long-term decision is to reduce our debt…

    …to keep inflation falling and get mortgage rates down to affordable levels.

    Without financial security, we can’t do anything to support families and workers when they need it most.

    When Covid struck, we could only act because our public finances were in good shape…

    …thanks to the difficult but responsible decisions we’ve taken over the last decade.

    I’ll always be proud of being the Chancellor who protected nine million jobs…

    …in a moment of danger, fear, and uncertainty, people turned to this government…

    …and did not find us wanting.

    I’m proud of the support we provided to the NHS, with record levels of funding.

    I’m proud too, of helping households pay their energy bills when Putin cut off the gas.

    But the only way to give people the peace of mind that government will be there in future crises…

    …is to pay down our debts now.

    And if we don’t, we’re just leaving our children to pay the bill.

    Last September was a stark reminder why this matters so much.

    The country was rocked by a financial crisis caused, in part, because investors didn’t believe the UK had a plan to control our debt.

    That’s why the Chancellor and I have taken difficult decisions to control our debt.

    That wasn’t the easy thing to do – but it was the right thing to do for our country.

    And that’s what leadership means.

    It takes political courage to take the difficult but right decisions for the long-term.

    I will do what is necessary to get our debt down and provide financial security. The second decision we’re taking is to cut tax and reward hard work.

    Now I want to cut taxes.

    I believe in cutting taxes.

    What clearer expression could there be of my governing philosophy than the belief…

    …that people, and not governments, make the best decisions about their own money?

    But doing that responsibly is hard.

    We must avoid doing anything that puts at risk our progress in controlling inflation.

    And no matter how much we might want them to, history shows that tax cuts don’t automatically pay for themselves.

    And I can’t click my fingers and suddenly wish away all the reasons that taxes had to increase in the first place.

    Partly, because of Covid and Putin’s war in Ukraine.

    And partly because we want to support people to live in dignity in retirement…

    …with a decent pension and good healthcare – which will cost more as the population ages.

    But my argument has never been that we shouldn’t cut taxes.

    It’s been that we could only cut taxes once we’ve controlled inflation and debt.

    First cut inflation, then cut taxes.

    And that’s why I made the promise to halve inflation.

    And the official statistics show, that promise has now been met.

    So, now that inflation is halved…

    And our growth is stronger, meaning revenues are higher…

    …we can begin the next phase, and turn our attention to cutting tax.

    We will do this in a serious, responsible way…

    …based on fiscal rules to deliver sound money…

    …and alongside the independent forecasts of the Office for Budget Responsibility.

    And we can’t do everything all at once.

    It will take discipline and we need to prioritise.

    But over time, we can and we will cut taxes.

    Rewarding hard work also means reforming our welfare system.

    We believe in the inherent dignity of a good job.

    And we believe that work – not welfare – is the best route out of poverty.

    Yet right now, around two million people of working age are not working at all.

    That is a national scandal and an enormous waste of human potential.

    So, we must do more to support those who can work, to do so.

    And we will clamp down on welfare fraudsters.

    Because the system must be fair for the taxpayers who fund it.

    And by doing all of this…

    By getting people off welfare and into work…

    …we can better support those genuinely in need of a safety net.

    That is what a compassionate, welfare system looks like.

    Our third long-term decision is to build domestic, sustainable energy.

    Energy security is national security.

    It underpins everything in our economy so there can be no plan for growth without it.

    And the transition to net zero will create whole new sectors…

    …and hundreds of thousands of good, well-paid jobs right across the country.

    Yet there is almost no better example of how British politics has failed in recent decades…

    …than our inability to develop a serious strategy for energy.

    We’re now correcting those mistakes, with new nuclear power plants.

    Record investment in renewables.

    And upgrades to our electricity grid infrastructure.

    But there is no path to energy security…

    …and indeed no credible path to net zero…

    …without secure supplies of oil and gas.

    Never again can we allow our energy security to be compromised.

    I believe British energy will deliver British energy security.

    Now I deeply believe that when you ask most people about climate change, they want to do the right thing.

    And I’m proud that since 1990, Britain has reduced our emissions faster than any other major economy.

    But it can’t be right to impose such significant costs on working people…

    …especially those already struggling to make ends meet.

    And to interfere so much in people’s lives without a properly informed national debate.

    Instead of following the path of ideological zeal, reaching Net Zero no matter what the cost.

    Or to build new supplies of domestic, sustainable energy…

    …to grow the economy and cut the cost of Net Zero for working people.

    The fourth decision we’re taking is to back British businesses to invest, innovate, and trade.

    Now that might sound obvious or uncontroversial.

    We want to support businesses to invest, innovate and grow through lower taxes and simpler regulation…

    …and where we provide support, it should be targeted and strategic.

    So yes, we’re investing in roads, railways, broadband and mobile networks, right across the country.

    Yes, we’re delivering one of the biggest ever transport upgrades for the north and midlands, in Network North.

    And yes, we’re delivering the right homes in the right places to support the labour market.

    But growth is all about getting the private sector to invest, too.

    That’s why the Chancellor is cutting taxes directly on investment.

    It’s why we’re cutting taxes to encourage innovation…

    …because new ideas and ways of doing things are the most important ways to raise our productivity.

    And it’s why we’re seizing the freedom and flexibility of Brexit.

    We’ve already cut Brussels red tape to save small businesses a billion pounds a year.

    We’re creating more agile regulation to support innovation and competition…

    …particularly in growth sectors like financial services, life sciences, and agri-tech.

    And we’re building new trade deals with the fastest growing regions in the world, like CPTPP.

    So this is our message to business:

    The Chancellor and I spent most of our careers in business.

    We understand, we care, we get it, and we’re acting to make this the best country in the world to do business.

    Now, our final long-term decision is about delivering world-class education…

    …so young people have the skills they need to get good jobs.

    Education is about opportunity.

    About giving people the knowledge and skills to get on in life and fulfil their aspirations.

    And about preparing the country for the profound transformation technologies like AI will bring.

    I’m incredibly proud of our record since 2010.

    Higher standards; more choice for parents; more powers for teachers.

    And the result?

    State schools in some of the most deprived parts of our country are now producing some of the best results.

    And we are doing more.

    Our new qualification, the Advanced British Standard will:

    For the first time, put technical education on an equal footing with academic courses.

    Dramatically increase time spent in the classroom.

    Teach Maths and English to every child through to 18, with extra help for those struggling most.

    And give students the chance to study a much broader range of subjects.

    We know that brilliant teachers make for a brilliant education, so we’re going to back them.

    We’ve doubled the grants for new teachers in key subjects to £30,000 over five years…

    …and for the first time extended those grants to colleges as well as schools.

    To conclude, the first time many of you saw me was during Covid, when I stood up at a Press Conference to announce the furlough scheme.

    From that moment until today, whether you like me or not…

    …I hope you know that when it comes to the economy…

    …when it comes to your job, your family, your incomes…

    …I’ll always take the right decisions for our country.

    I promised you we would halve inflation.

    We took the difficult decisions and have delivered on that promise.

    Now you can trust me when I say we can start to responsibly cut taxes.

    And we will now move to the next phase of our plan, to grow our economy by…

    Reducing debt;

    Cutting tax and rewarding hard work;

    Building domestic, sustainable energy;

    Backing British business;

    And delivering world-class education.

    You can trust me to take the right long-term decisions and that’s how we’ll build a brighter future for our children.

    Thank you.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Speech at the COP28 Climate Summit

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Speech at the COP28 Climate Summit

    The speech made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, in Dubai on 1 December 2023.

    I’m here at COP28 with two clear messages…

    First, the world needs to do more to tackle climate change.

    We’ve made real progress – including at the Glasgow summit…

    …but the climate science and mounting evidence of climate-related disasters…

    …show we’re not moving quickly or effectively enough.

    So I’m calling on major emitters to dramatically accelerate delivery on what they’ve already promised.

    Everyone can do more.

    And let’s be very clear – the UK is leading the charge.

    We’re absolutely committed to our Net Zero targets.

    We’ve already decarbonised faster than any other major economy.

    Our emissions are down 48 percent since 1990.

    Compared to limited cuts from others.

    And a 300 percent increase from China.

    We’re also one of the largest climate donors, because we want to help those suffering the impacts of climate change.

    My pledge from September of £1.6 billion for the Green Climate Fund was the UK’s biggest single climate change commitment.

    And we’re going further… announcing £1.6 billion today for renewable energy, green innovation and forests…

    …delivering on the historic Glasgow deal to end deforestation – because we can’t tackle climate change without nature.

    We’re also leveraging the genius of the City of London to deliver billions more in private finance.

    Again the UK is leading by example… and we need others to step up.

    Because my second message is this…

    As I said in September, we won’t tackle climate change unless we take people with us.

    Climate politics is close to breaking point.

    The British people care about the environment.

    They know that the costs of inaction are intolerable.

    But they also know that we have choices about how we act.

    So yes we’ll meet our targets…

    …but we’ll do it in a more pragmatic way, which doesn’t burden working people.

    We’ve scrapped plans on heat pumps and energy efficiency, which would have cost families thousands of pounds.

    We’ll help people to improve energy efficiency and cut bills – but we won’t force them too.

    We’ll support nature across the UK.

    Just this week I announced a huge new effort with 34 landscape recovery projects, a new national park – and more.

    And we’ll harness the opportunities of technology and green industry to deliver net zero in a way that benefits the British people.

    And today I can share more proof on the progress we’re making.

    I’m pleased to announce a new deal between Masdar and RWE…

    …which includes a commitment to jointly invest up to £11 billion into the UK’s new windfarm at Dogger Bank – which will be the biggest in the world.

    This is a huge boost for UK renewables…

    …creating more jobs…

    …helping to power 3 million homes…

    …and increasing our energy security.

    And, by the way, this comes just days after we announced £30 billion of investment at our Global Investment Summit… and £21 billion of investment from South Korea.

    We’ve quite frankly never seen a week like it.

    In Dubai today, I’ve also had conversations with a range of leaders – including Israel, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan – about the situation in Israel and Gaza.

    Our position is clear and consistent.

    We’ve been categorical in our support for Israel’s right to self-defence and to go after the architects of the atrocities of 7th October…

    …while stressing Israel’s obligation to act in line with international humanitarian law.

    I strongly welcomed the pause in fighting to get hostages out…

    …and we’ve been using the opportunity to get more aid into Gaza.

    The UK has trebled its aid, but still not enough is getting in via Rafah and other crossings.

    So we are actively exploring other routes, including by sea.

    The breakdown of the truce today is deeply disappointing, not least because a growing number of hostages were coming home.

    I pay tribute to the role of Qatar in helping facilitate these efforts – and I hope the process can be resumed.

    We want all the hostages released – and in this initial phase all women and children should be freed.

    I’ve said before that the number of civilian casualties and the scale of the suffering has been far too high.

    So the return of hostilities is concerning to us all.

    We’re making it clear that Israel must take maximum care to protect civilian life.

    We’re opposed to anything that would involve the mass displacement of people.

    We need to ensure that there are viable designated areas where safety can be guaranteed.

    And we need to ensure that critical infrastructure like water supplies and hospitals are protected.

    Again, we’ve been consistent on all of this.

    So I support the civilian protection plans outlined yesterday by the US Secretary of State.

    Indeed this has been a central theme in our discussions with regional leaders here, including Israeli President Herzog.

    Ultimately we will redouble our efforts create a political horizon in which hostages are freed and security, safety and dignity is assured.

    We will continue to work with our partners to create a lasting peace…

    …beginning with practical steps that address the crisis now.

    Thank you.

  • Steve Barclay – 2023 Speech at the Country Land and Business Association’s Rural Business Conference

    Steve Barclay – 2023 Speech at the Country Land and Business Association’s Rural Business Conference

    The speech made by Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on 30 November 2023.

    Thank you, Jonathan.

    It was great to meet with you and with Victoria in my first few days in post and as you just referenced I’m also really pleased to be able to join for my first speech as Secretary of State, here for the CLA Conference.

    As a rural MP, as someone who lives with his family in the countryside, I know and appreciated, first hand how important our countryside is and I’m delighted to champion the countryside and what it contributes to our country and our way of life.

    And I know in representing rural communities the CLA brings over 100 years of experience, collective expertise, the sort of first-hand knowledge you don’t acquire behind a Whitehall desk. And I want to listen and learn from that experience as we work together to exercise the greater freedom that we have in setting policy for rural areas.

    And in particular to empower more, and to burden less, when it comes to running your businesses and taking care of the land.

    Now, first and foremost when I think about rural communities I think of the essential importance of keeping people fed. And the resilience and food security that we saw was so essential during the Covid pandemic.

    Farming contributes a whopping £127 billion to the economy. But the importance of farming isn’t just about its economic value, it’s at the heart of meeting our ambitions in terms of targets to tackle climate change, and in terms of making and securing nature and how it can thrive.

    Now we have many commitments in our National Food Strategy to produce at least 60% of the food we consume, and this was backed up by the Farm to Fork Summit that was held in Downing Street in May after which we published our action plan.

    And indeed we are investing £2.4 billion a year in England, in the farming sector, with a commitment to maintaining total level of support and helping farmers to be profitable whilst also producing food sustainably and protecting the countryside that we treasure.

    We’re taking action on things that I know matter to you, such as supporting small abattoirs. And I can confirm that we will be launching our £4 million fund by the end of the year, and we will be working with you to increase fairness in the supply chain.

    And we have consulted on updating buying standards for public sector food as well, so farmers who are part of our Environmental Land Management schemes should be well placed to benefit from any change that we may announce in the coming months.

    And I have always been clear that we need to protect our farmers.

    Indeed as Health Secretary, I blocked a proposal which was to allow schools to impose a vegetarian diet, because to me food is a key part and a valuable sector within the economy, but it is also an important part of our diet too.

    So as Health Secretary I blocked the proposals which would have allowed the imposition of that in certain schools.

    Now fundamentally, I want the way we produce food to be sustainable for people and for the planet.

    And as we leave behind the EU’s bureaucratic Common Agricultural Policy, we must continue to make the most of our new found freedoms and to work with farmers – including many in this room – to design and refine new flexible and accessible Environmental Land Management schemes, focusing on Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

    We are accepting applications for the expanded and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive with 3,000 now submitted, nearly 2,150 offers now issued and counting, 1,700 now accepted and 800 of you already cracking on.

    And at Back British Farming Day, we announced that advanced payments of a quarter of the first year’s SFI will be made and indeed have been making their way to bank accounts in October and November, and more will be going out in December too.

    We have already extended accessibility to ELMs for tenant farmers and we will continue to work with tenant farmers and land owners to identify and remove barriers so that you can work together effectively.

    That includes allowing farming to continue on historic sites as it has indeed for centuries.

    And I am delighted to say that an increasing number of farmers are now taking part in our Environmental Land Management schemes, with 32,000 Countryside Stewardship agreements successfully in place across England this year – that is a 94% increase since 2020, and over 6,000 applications have indeed been received this year.

    I want to confirm that SFI will not be capped, and there is something for everyone – so I encourage all of you to take a look, and apply, if indeed you haven’t already done so.

    And as these schemes grow, the sector will be increasingly well-placed to benefit from private investment in everything from woodland creation to peatland restoration as we work to reach our target of stimulating at least £500 million of private sector investment into nature recovery in England. That is each year by 2027, with the aim to rise to at least £1bn each year by 2030.

    And I know that the CLA and many of your members are right at the forefront of this as well.

    The first two rounds of our Investment Readiness Fund have provided grants of up to £100,000 each, to get 86 nature projects across England to the point that they are ready to attract private capital.

    It is great that farmers are at the heart of around a quarter of those.

    Today, I am delighted to launch a third round, that will make a further £5 million available, specifically to support the efforts of farmers and rural businesses, with individual grants of up to £100,000 that will help you to attract investment from the private sector.

    Applying for one of those grants or schemes does not disbar you from the others – far from it. And our hope is that that they will be mutually reinforcing, as you choose what works best for your business.

    Today, I want to say a bit more on how we are investing in modern farming techniques, infrastructure, and innovation – alongside support for further research and development.

    Now this makes a difference to the productivity, to resilience, and in particular to the sustainability of businesses.

    And when I visited the robotics firm Muddy Machines last week, they showed how the talent of our brightest scientists can unlock a new generation of automation.

    Where there are barriers stopping game-changing innovations from getting out of labs and onto farms, whether it’s needless regulation or slow grant applications, tearing down those barriers down will be at the heart of my approach.

    This year, we are investing over £168 million through 16 grant funds.

    As of this summer, we have committed over £123 million of funding to industry-led research and development for agricultural and horticulture.

    And today, I am delighted to announce a further £45 million of funding for farming innovation.

    That includes £30 million to help farmers invest in robotics and automation to make processes like harvesting and milking more efficient, and for the first time, roof-top solar equipment to help improve the sustainability and resilience of your energy supply, and storage to help keep slurry out of our watercourses and bring down emissions.

    And this follows our announcement of up to £30 million investment for the Genetic Improvement Network at the Farm to Fork summit, building indeed on the £8 million invested over the last five years and the passing of the Genetic Technology Precision Breeding Act.

    And watch this space for more in 2024 when we will want to see applications for a share of further funding, specifically for testing and trialling the new technology and techniques that we want to see adopted at pace onto farms.

    All of this will help us make careers in the sector more promising for the next generation who need to be trained up now, it will help maintain our world-leading animal welfare standards, it will strengthen our rural economy, and it will improve our global competitiveness as well.

    And it’s not just farming that makes a massive difference to our shared prosperity. I know that the rural economy is about so much more than farms – it’s about tourism, hospitality, rural manufacturing, and of course the food sector as a whole.

    From Scottish salmon and whiskey, to Welsh Lamb, to Northern Ireland beef, to English sparkling wine. Indeed when I was Chief Secretary, I sent an instruction to our embassies that they will serve English sparkling wine not French champagne.

    Because British food and drink gets a massive vote of confidence from consumers around the world – with exports bringing £24 billion to the British economy, and counting.

    We have had success stories in opening up new markets including securing access for British lamb to the US.

    And following our commitments at the Farm to Fork Summit, we are appointing an additional five agri-food attachés to boost the UK’s agri-food exports, bringing the total number of to 16 – with new posts to help unlock key markets in northern Europe, southern Europe, Australia/New Zealand, South Korea, and Africa.

    They have all just been back to the UK to make sure they are up to speed with the latest plans, and we hope to see progress in the metrics by which we measure export sales in coming months and also to help more rural businesses as they make the leap into exporting.

    So in conclusion, I just want to say firstly how incredibly impressed I am by the passion and innovation showcased here – and that I will be saying more about the countryside in the months ahead.

    I will continue to come and see, as I have already been doing, farms and businesses and to listen to you as we refine our schemes, and to seek to make your lives easier.

    My pledge to you is that this government will always back British farmers who produce some of the highest quality food in the world, who contribute billions to our economy, and to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude for taking care of the countryside that they do.

    So we are forging ahead with our new farming schemes.

    And in everything we do, our aim is back a profitable and sustainable food and farming sector that supports all that you do, now and for future generations.

    So, thank you for all that you do, and let us continue to work together. Let’s adopt innovation at pace, lets ensure we back British farmers.

    Thank you.

  • Esther McVey – 2023 Speech on Public Appointments

    Esther McVey – 2023 Speech on Public Appointments

    The speech made by Esther McVey, the Cabinet Office Minister, in Edinburgh on 24 November 2023.

    Good afternoon – it’s a pleasure to be here with you all.

    This is our third event focused on increasing the diversity of our public appointments…

    …but importantly it’s our first event here in Scotland…

    …and it is also the first Cabinet Office event I’ve been to since arriving in post.

    And I am pleased to see such a packed room.

    I want to thank you for taking the time to be here today…

    …we know you are all busy people, with many busy diaries only getting busier in the run-up to Christmas…

    …but it is so important that you’re here.

    Looking out of the window on my journey up here, I was reminded of the great variety of our country…

    …the rolling hills, the countryside, the towns, the cities.

    And I thought those places actually represent the diversity of the people who live in those places.

    And so often, we don’t have that diversity of thought. That diversity of expression in those public bodies.

    That’s what we’re trying to do today.

    I’m originally from Liverpool and I lived up in Edinburgh for a while. It’s one of my favourite places. I think it is such a vibrant, exciting place.

    But the Government – as part of our Levelling Up and Places for Growth agendas – needs to build the better, secure, prosperous future for this country.

    An important part of my role is being the voice of the people in the very centre of Government…

    …and that means that I need to ensure that this bright future I’ve described for every single citizen across the country.

    Our UK-wide Public Bodies are a vital part of this work…

    …including those Scottish Arms Length Bodies…

    …and therefore it is essential we get the best – and the right – people in the right posts to run them.

    And we must all be more strategic about how we go about getting those people for those posts.

    That’s why I am here today.

    I’ve been reading about some of the people in this room and I will say that some of the brightest and the best from a real diversity of backgrounds and careers are here today.

    Baroness Neville-Rolfe – who unfortunately could not be here with us today – told me to really focus on diversity in the broadest sense…

    …that regional diversity and diversity of thought.

    You can be from different parts of the country, but have the same thought patterns.

    What we want is that challenge.

    People bringing that perspective you don’t always hear.

    Maybe being a bit more thoughtful… a bit more savvy… a bit more concentrated on a local area.

    And that’s what we intend to do.

    We want to break that cycle…

    …of what people might describe as group think.

    And what better place to do that than Scotland, what better place than Edinburgh, to do that.

    We want to call out to those brilliant people from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Cheshire, Birmingham, Manchester, to spread their expertise across the country.

    The value of the skills and expertise that people in this room will be priceless…

    …and the expertise you have gained throughout your careers could benefit the public sector.

    You could help our hospitals be more efficient…

    …you could improve education for the very youngest children…

    …also help those who want to be apprentices…

    …you could ensure some of our greatest museums throughout the country get even better.

    However it is not only about harnessing those skills…

    … it’s also about ensuring that candidates for public appointments are drawn from across the breadth of the country.

    We need diversity – as I said – of thought, of skills, and of capability.

    Because it’s those sensibilities which will properly challenge the organisations they are responsible for…

    But before we recognise the scale of the challenge we are doing, we owe it to you and to our public services to make sure the right support is in place.

    We know that we need to be better throughout the whole process.

    For example, where applicants may not be successful for a particular appointment – but may be brilliant at what they do – we need to be able to track those people and take that forward, so that maybe we can consider their expertise elsewhere.

    We should never forget about your career, and ensure there’s career progression offered too.

    My officials will be on hand today to discuss the upcoming opportunities…

    …and we have a number of departments represented here who – I am sure –  will be delighted to speak to you about roles later today.

    We have some great speakers today…

    …who will – no doubt – persuade you that this is something you need to go forward for.

    Whether you’ve got that experience, that certain skill, or what it takes to make a real difference.

    So I will hand over to the official in the Propriety & Ethics Team at the Cabinet Office…

    …who will tell you what is coming up for the rest of the day.

    But so you get the best out of today, rather than feeling it’s somebody talking to you or at you…

    …I would like you to be an active participant in what we do.

    When I do a Q&A session a little bit later, with people who are on boards, who have been on boards, please put your hand up if the questions I’m asking really aren’t the questions you want to ask.

    Today is really about you.

    I will also say I’ve been on that journey…

    …I was Chair of the British Transport Police Authority…

    …so I probably know some of the questions you’re thinking:

    How do I go about it?

    Is it a closed shop?

    How do I do my CV?

    How do I write that covering letter?

    How do I really sell myself so I can be on that board.

    I’ve been on this journey too… sometimes unsuccessfully, sometimes successfully.

    So warts and all, I’ll tell you what it’s been like for me.

    And also what I’ll say is practice makes perfect.

    You’ll get into the pattern of how you answer the questions and how you tell your story…

    …so people say “ah, they are the skills that I need on this board.”

    Hopefully you’ll get a lot out of today, and hopefully you’ll enjoy it.

  • John Glen – 2023 Speech to the Transforming Infrastructure Performance Conference

    John Glen – 2023 Speech to the Transforming Infrastructure Performance Conference

    The speech made by John Glen, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on 27 November 2023.

    Good morning, everyone.

    It’s a great pleasure to be here with you all today.

    I don’t think I could have picked a better place to give my first speech as the new Minister for Cabinet Office, because here today, in this audience, at this Live Summit, are the leaders who will create the public sector that we all vitally need – a public sector of the future.

    I know you’ve all been very busy – in fact this year, we’ve recorded the biggest portfolio of projects on record. I’ve been in post now for 14 days and it was great to sit down with Nick Smallwood last week to discuss his work and understand the challenges and opportunities that he and all of you face.

    It’s reassuring for me to remember, as a former Treasury minister, that in 2024/25 we are investing 30 billion pounds more in real terms than at the start of this Parliament. In fact, this year we recorded the biggest portfolio of projects on record. two-hundred-and-forty-four to be exact, with an overall worth of eight-hundred-and-five-billion pounds.

    I want to thank you all for your dedication to this work. Through the teamwork between the public and private sector, we are delivering a vibrant infrastructure, one that will benefit every one of our citizens.

    Whether it’s nuclear power stations generating clean energy, our prisons rehabilitating offenders giving them a chance to lead a crime-free life, or our hospitals providing critical healthcare, we are delivering for the British public.

    Challenges

    Your delivery is remarkable, not only for the complexity of the task, but for the challenging circumstances you’re delivering these major construction projects through.

    The Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine have created both high inflation and low affordability.

    But those challenges shouldn’t deter us – on the contrary, they are the reason the projects we work on must be delivered effectively.

    Public infrastructure plays a vital role in economic growth, and, indeed, it is a growth industry in itself, and we’ll need over a million new workers until 2025 to deliver the projects currently scheduled.

    So, it is up to government to get those trained workers in place – the apprentices, technicians, graduates – indeed, all skilled workers, and give them the opportunity in this thriving area.

    But that’s not the only opportunity we’re focused on – no, through the infrastructure you’re building we are embracing new opportunities, to be greener, to be more innovative, to be more modern than ever before.

    I want to thank the IPA for their leadership here. Their ‘Transforming Infrastructure Performance’ programme describes a vision for the future in which we must prioritise societal outcomes, paving the way for sustainability, digitalisation and modernisation.

    It’s the right approach to take, and we want to ensure that when people invest in our infrastructure, they’re investing in a revitalised sector. One which can withstand new challenges, adapt to and adopt new technologies, and benefit our citizens and the whole of society.

    Already our net zero promises are the cornerstone of our New Hospitals Programme and the Schools Rebuilding Programme.

    These are fantastic new initiatives, and they allow us to put the design and planning innovations to the test.

    The government will progress the National Infrastructure Commission’s April recommendations on planning by delivering reforms to return the nationally significant infrastructure project regime to the two and a half year average consenting time achieved in 2012.

    Productivity

    The government will take further action by including the publishing of spatial data on major infrastructure projects for the first time and ensuring a more reliable process for updating national policy statements.

    As you saw last week in the Chancellor’s remarks at Autumn Statement, we are also taking steps overall in the reform of planning – a new premium planning service, new guaranteed accelerated decision dates, and a critical national priority designation for nationally significant low carbon energy projects, which will also be a helpful intervention. As well, the reforms to the grid connection process, halving the time to build new grid infrastructure.

    My new boss, The Deputy Prime Minister – and, indeed, my predecessor – spoke about the role that data and AI will play in our public services, and I believe it will have a crucial position in your sector.

    We have seen how digitalisation is already being used in our infrastructure – the new prison HMP Millsike, for example, has digital and data throughout its processes. Its progress is being tracked in real-time, supply-chain progress and decisions are being digitally recorded. That means reduced cost and reduced risk – time saved and timescales on target.

    The new prison HMP Fosse Way was also built 22% faster than a traditional build, all thanks to 70% of the project using modern methods of construction.

    And generative AI was used on HS2 London Tunnels in Euston to shorten the build time by 86 working days, which also saved twelve-million-pounds. Better efficiency, safety and quality was the result – this is what innovation brings.

    And I’m delighted to say that, next year, the IPA will launch a new benchmarking service to improve decision making, which I hope will lead to stronger business cases and greater confidence in cost and schedules – all powered by innovative practices.

    Conclusion

    Ladies and gentlemen, now is the time for the UK to be at the forefront of creativity, innovation and a clean future.

    I passionately believe the new methods this industry has been leading on will not only provide economic stability, it will also provide opportunity throughout our regions, levelling up all public infrastructure to an excellent level.

    I can promise you that, in my new role, I will always put people at the very heart of our projects, whether that is the taxpayer or business leaders, whether in a big city or a small town.

    I want to reiterate my thanks to all of you – yes, we are aware of the challenges ahead of us, but I believe we have an ever more sophisticated plan to tackle them.

    I look forward to a future where our TIP principles not only create thriving UK towns and cities, but are used as an example of how to create world-leading infrastructure.

    And I look forward to working with you to make those ambitions – your ambitions, our ambitions – a reality.

    I wish you well with your conference today and with the workshops that you will be doing later this morning. Thank you for the opportunity to make this my first speech as the minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General.