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Category: Speeches

  • Michelle Donelan – 2023 Speech at Onward on the Future of AI

    Michelle Donelan – 2023 Speech at Onward on the Future of AI

    The speech made by Michelle Donelan, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on 24 October 2023.

    Firstly let me say a massive thank you to Onward.

    I said when I first launched this new and exciting Department that people could expect to see a constant drumbeat of action from my officials, from my ministers and my entire team…

    What I didn’t expect was for Onward to take that challenge on too!

    From your brilliant report on generative AI earlier this year, to Allan Nixon’s Wired for Success Report which gave us insights into DSIT that illumined Whitehall.

    And I hear through the grapevine that Onward are publishing another AI-focused report in the coming weeks, so I look forward to reading that.

    It is safe to say that the world is now wide awake to the opportunities and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.

    In the last 3 years alone, MPs have mentioned Artificial Intelligence more times in the House of Commons than they did in the entire 30 years before that.

    And when I stood up to give my first speech as the Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, I made it clear that we were going to be different and we were going to do things differently.

    So, when it comes to AI, I think it is especially important because we cannot afford for DSIT to be a normal ‘business as usual’ Whitehall department.

    Nor can we deliver extraordinary things without more extraordinary people in our Departmental team.

    We need to be as agile, innovative and as accessible just like the entrepreneurs and businesses and researchers that we represent.

    And I am pleased to report that we have done exactly that.

    Over a matter of months we have added world-renowned AI experts to our Department and Taskforce…

    From renowned AI professors like David Krueger and Yarin Gal…

    To one of the Godfathers of AI, Yoshua Bengio….

    With our skills, Frontier AI Taskforce and our global AI Safety Summit, it is clear that the UK is perfectly placed to lead the international charge on seizing the opportunities of AI whilst gripping the risks.

    However, today I want to get beyond the statistics and go deeper into the philosophy that is driving our approach to AI.

    Many of you will have heard me talk about AI safety being the UK’s priority, and how we can only truly utilise the extraordinary benefits AI has to offer once we have tackled some of the safety challenges associated with the frontier.

    To some this may sound overcautious, or that we are being driven by fear of the risks rather than optimism about the opportunities. But actually I think it is rather about the opportunities that we are focusing on.

    Today, I want to smash these myths head on.

    Here at Onward, I want to set out how the UK’s approach to safety and security in AI will make it the best place in the world for new AI companies to not only grow but locate here.

    Safety and security are key to unlocking innovation.

    The country which tackles key AI safety risks  first will be the first to fully take advantage of the huge potential that AI has to provide.

    That is why the UK is putting more investment into these questions right now than any other country in the world.

    Questions like “how do we prevent misuse of Frontier AI by malicious actors?”

    And “how do we ensure we don’t lose human control and oversight of this new technology?”

    And how can we protect our society including our democratic system.

    Think of how air travel – once considered a dangerous new technology by many – is now one of the safest and most beneficial technologies in human history.

    We got there by working with countries across the world to make sure we have the right safety mechanisms in place –  and now we all reap the benefits of flying safely.

    Safety is absolutely critical to unlocking adoption across our economy.

    Boosting consumer confidence is what will make the difference between a country taking a few years to adopt new technology into their lives, or a few decades.

    I want to make sure the UK is at the forefront of reaping the benefits of this transformative technology.

    Our approach to AI has been commended for being agile, open and innovative.  But we need more research to guide our approach.

    In many cases, we simply don’t understand the risks in enough detail or certainty right now because this an emerging technology that is developing quicker than any other technology in human history.

    It took mankind just over a lifetime to go from the horse and cart to the space race.

    Yet in the last four years large language models have gone from barely being able to write a coherent sentence to now being able to pass the bar exam and medical exams and who knows what large language models have are set to hold.

    So the pace of development is fast and unpredictable which means our focus needs to be on understanding the risks.

    And in life I do think its important to understand the problem before rushing to solutions. And with AI this should be no different.

    That is why we established the Frontier AI Taskforce and have appointed a world-leading research team to turbo-charge our understanding of frontier AI with expert insights.

    The Taskforce is already making rapid progress, forging partnerships with industry and developing innovative approaches to addressing the risks of AI and harnessing its benefits.

    The Global AI Safety Summit is also an opportunity to build that understanding, share learnings and establish a network globally to work together to ensure our research can keep up with this transformative emerging technology.

    Indeed, one of the key objectives of the Summit is to form an agreement on what the key risks actually are.

    By bringing countries, leading tech organisations, academia and civil society together, the UK will lead the international conversation on frontier AI.

    The global nature of AI means that international concerted action is absolutely critical. AI doesn’t stop at geographical boundaries and nor should our approach.

    But of course, we do also need to make sure we have the right domestic approach in place to drive safe, responsible AI innovation.

    Earlier this year we set out a principles-based approach through the AI Regulation White Paper.

    Our approach is agile, targeted and sector-specific.

    We here in the UK understand that AI use cases are drastically different across different sectors.

    A one size fits all system that treats agri-tech the same way as military drones because they both use AI is unreasonable and undeliverable.

    By empowering existing regulators to regulate AI in their own sectors where they have their own expertise, we have created the most tailored and responsive regulatory regime anywhere in the world.

    We have also supported different sectors with a Central risk function – horizon scanning.

    Later this year, we will publish a full response to our White Paper – showing how our approach is keeping pace with this transformative technology.

    So, what does this all mean for small businesses?

    The regulatory approach set out in the White Paper is specifically designed to be flexible, support innovation and ensure that small, new and challenger AI companies can grow and succeed here in the UK.

    And indeed, we are already taking steps to deliver on those aims by working with the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum to pilot a new advisory service for AI and digital innovators so companies can bring their products more quickly and safely to market.

    We want the UK to remain one of the most nimble and innovative places in the world for AI companies to grow.

    That is why it is right to reaffirm our commitment to our principles-based approach to regulation whilst also taking bold steps to address risks at the frontier,

    investing in world-class research capabilities and working closely with industry and civil society to make sure our AI governance approach keeps pace.

    Our proportionate and targeted approach will enable us to foster innovation and encourage companies to grow to catch up with the frontier – because we are not pulling up the drawbridge –in fact what we want to do is give consumers and the public confidence to boost adoption and it will ensure we can seize the opportunities safely.

    Far from a race to the bottom, the key AI developers across the world and here in the UK are telling me they are looking for countries where they will have certainty, clarity and support when it comes to building and deploying AI safely.

    They want a mature, considered and agile approach to AI that maximises the potential for innovation by mitigating the risks.

    They want to open up in countries where consumers are open-minded and excited about using their AI tools to improve their lives, which is why with the global AI Safety Summit, we are not only talking about risks, but also talking about opportunities for the benefit of mankind.

    And the proof is in the pudding Open AI, Anthropic have opened their international offices here.

    I want the UK people to use AI with the same confidence and lack of fear as we do when we book an airplane ticket.

    And I want AI companies to know that the UK is the most up-to-date, agile and economically rewarding place in the world to build their business in.

    So, to all the smaller AI companies out there, let me send this message out to you today: the UK is and will remain the most agile and innovative place for you to develop your business.

    Safety at the frontier means prosperity across the sector.

    We will grip the risks so that we can seize the opportunities.

    Thank you.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2023 Speech to the Future Investment Initiative

    Oliver Dowden – 2023 Speech to the Future Investment Initiative

    The speech made by Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, in Riyadh on 24 October 2023.

    Today’s theme is ‘defining dynamism amid global shocks’.

    And there could be no more apt place to discuss dynamism than Saudi Arabia.

    The pace of change in the Kingdom is dizzying:

    Asserting global leadership from the Gulf…

    …rocketing up the rankings for ease of doing business…

    …leapfrogging the world’s largest economies…

    …embracing technological change…

    … and transforming an economy fuelled by oil… into one powered by renewables…

    …making Vision 2030 not just a vision, but a reality.

    That is true dynamism: embracing change, and leading the charge.

    With your megacities and giga-projects, Saudi is not just adopting clean technologies but pioneering them…

    …delivering solutions that we will all be using in the future.

    So That’s why the UK is proud to partner with you in a huge array of areas, such as financial services, clean energy, urban regeneration, academia, defence, sports, e-gaming and more.

    Truly a partnership for the future.

    AGE OF SHOCKS

    But we do so in a world where shocks have become the new norm.

    We rightly refer to them as global shocks because their impact ripples from the epicentre right across our planet.

    The great financial crisis … the Covid pandemic … Russia’s invasion of Ukraine …

    …Record temperatures and devastating natural disasters…

    …and, of course, the brutal strike into the heart of Israel by Hamas terrorists just two weeks ago…

    …the very worst of humanity.

    Thousands of people have died horrifically… unnecessarily.

    Tens of thousands more are injured, or are in mourning.

    And millions are now living in fear of the consequences.

    This has caused untold misery and has led to deep, widespread insecurity.

    And we stand with all innocent victims of this conflict.

    Urging respect for international humanitarian law…

    And for parties to take every possible step to avoid harming civilians.

    And we welcome ongoing efforts to open up humanitarian access to Gaza…

    …we have pledged millions extra in aid…

    …and we remain committed to the two state solution.

    Britain stands together to reject terror, hate and prejudice.

    …and to reset the path to peace and long-term stability.

    TRADITIONAL SECURITY

    And as the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister has tasked me personally to drive cross-Government resilience towards shocks of all kinds.

    Understanding the nature of the threats we face today…

    …and scanning the horizon to predict the threats we may face tomorrow.

    The first duty of every government is to protect their civilians.

    Of course, our first line of defence is always our armed forces.

    Those brave men and women are our resilience personified.

    And the UK and Saudi Arabia have a proud partnership in security which stretches back into our history…

    …sharing intelligence, exchanging military hardware, training alongside one another…

    …and continuing into the future with our world-leading Typhoon jets.

    ECONOMIC SECURITY (AND TECH SHOCKS)

    But increasingly, the ripples of recent global shocks…

    …reverberate in an economic sense…

    …disrupting supply chains… driving up energy prices… and causing food shortages.

    And it on this economic front, where I am leading the UK’s charge to be out in front, in terms of our resilience…

    …developing and retaining critical domestic capabilities…

    …screening investment into UK companies…

    …protecting Government procurement from national security threats…

    …and better understanding our supply chains.

    As we scan the horizon, we see that rapid technological advancements will only make this task more urgent.

    We’ve had a glimpse into this future…

    …with cyberattacks bringing public services to a halt…

    …and ransomware wiping millions off companies’ share prices.

    Deepfakes have duped consumers…

    …bots have interfered in elections…

    …and intellectual property has been stolen from businesses and academic institutions.

    Now so far, these have been relative skirmishes…

    …wrought by an unholy alliance between hostile states and non-state actors.

    But with the enormous potential of artificial intelligence and quantum computing…

    …there is a very real possibility that the world’s next shock will be a tech shock.

    And so next week the United Kingdom will be convening the world’s leading nations and pioneering AI companies for the first global frontier AI safety summit.

    These emerging technologies represent exciting opportunities.

    …they exist at the cutting edge of development, often yet to be commercialised and with unknown end applications…

    But we also know that hostile state actors are actively seeking these technologies for their own competitive advantage…

    … or even to enhance their military capability.

    And the most valuable commodities to both businesses and nations are increasingly the source code… the technical designs… or other – intangible – intellectual property that underpins innovation.

    Where they have a military or dual-use application, traditional means of controlling these transfers are often simply not enough.

    These Intangible products can now be exported in a second – attached to an email…

    ….with no customs official to check any documentation…

    …nor a list of multilaterally agreed product categories to check against…

    …because these technologies have only just been invented…

    …often in small university spin-outs, rather than the established defence contractors used to working with Government.

    This dynamism in the tech sphere, must be met with dynamism within Government.

    Now I know that ‘Dynamism’ and ‘Government’, not, perhaps, two words which you often put together…

    But we cannot afford not to be…

    This is why I am reviewing our tools to ensure they are fit for purpose:

    • Examining our export regime controls, to ensure that it is striking the right balance for emerging technologies relevant to national security…
    • Exploring other paths through which this sensitive technology can leak out unchecked such as through outbound investment flows…
    • And working with academic institutions and start-ups to ensure they are alert to the risks, and have the toolkit to protect themselves.

    We need to build a policy environment that provides the private sector with the confidence to innovate…

    Confidence to build partnerships…

    Confidence to grow.

    Economic security should never be seen as a constraint on growth.

    It is an enabler of it.

    UK-KSA ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

    So just as allies work together on physical security, so we need to work together to build economic security.

    Just as important as the collaboration between nation states is the partnership between Government and business.

    Which is why, earlier this year, we established the National Protective Security Authority within MI5 – so that our security services can support business in understanding and protecting themselves against the threats they face.

    The partnership between the UK and Saudi Arabia is a fine example of the collaboration we need.

    We made the green finance deal made last year – ensuring we protect our energy needs for the future…

    We’ve made an agreement on critical minerals this year – enhancing our collaboration and exploring new sources of supplying these elements that are so vital to our future prosperity and national security.

    And through to next year I will personally be prioritising building the bond between our two kingdoms.

    So today I can announce that I will be leading a new strand of engagement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  to enhance our cooperation and mutually-beneficial investment relationships, building on similar relations across the gulf.

    The partnership between our kingdoms has helped to shape the world we live in, and will be a linch-pin of shaping the future through to 2030.

    But just as important as the collaboration between nation states, is the partnership between government and business.

    So I will be Chairing a new Public-Private Forum between Government and business on economic security challenges… with the first meetings later this year.

    And I want to be very clear to all of you, that my door is always open to investors to discuss our economic security agenda.

    And our first task when Prime MInister Rishi Sunak was to restore the predictability and stability that investors so cherish in the United Kingdom.

    Our task now is to drive growth, jobs, prosperity and investment. And I know that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be a key partner in that mission.

    PROSPERITY AGENDA

    But we should also never underestimate how much our peace, stability, and resilience to shocks are underpinned by our prosperity.

    A strong, growing economy doesn’t just allow you to invest in your armed forces….

    …it also allows you to deliver for your people…

    …it is a signal to the world that you are a serious partner and a key player.

    Those who will succeed in this age of uncertainty, as new economic powers vie for pole position…

    …are those with the fastest-growing, most vibrant, dynamic economies.

    And those nations – and those businesses – will get to shape the new global order.

    And the UK is laser-focused on that prosperity agenda.

    We are wide open for business…

    …a world-leader in climate solutions, life sciences and creativity…

    …a wonderful place to invest and innovate…

    …and a partner with whom to seize technological opportunities.

    Happily these areas where we excel are the areas where Saudi wants to grow.

    So your Vision 2030 is our vision too.

    We’re by your side…

    …with scores of fund managers flocking to Riyadh…

    …and hundreds of UK businesses operating all across Saudi.

    Meanwhile, of course London’s global financial centre remains committed to being the preferred hub for this part of the world…

    …thousands of Saudi students and tourists are in Britain…

    …and Saudi investment is benefitting every corner of our country.

    That is all part of a deepening partnership with the wider GCC – the UK’s 7th largest export market…

    …and with whom we hope to increase trade still further through a free trade agreement.

    Geopolitical shifts are a great challenge to all our economies…

    …but we can turn them into an opportunity to build a new world order based on rules, competition, open markets, innovation and investment.

    Because that is the definition of dynamism: turning challenges into opportunities.

    Not ignoring the threat of climate change but seizing the opportunities we have to build a green future.

    Not shunning artificial intelligence but using it to solve some of the greatest problems we face.

    Not turning inwards as new powers emerge and challenges arise, but forging new alliances and strengthening old ones.

    That is how we will withstand shocks, build resilience and embrace opportunities for all our people.

    Thank you.

  • Keir Starmer – 2023 Speech on the Situation in the Middle East

    Keir Starmer – 2023 Speech on the Situation in the Middle East

    The speech made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 31 October 2023.

    Thank you all for coming today.

    And thank you to Chatham House for hosting and for your resolute commitment to dialogue on this issue.

    An issue that so many people recoil from out of despair.

    A despair that in the last three weeks has arguably reached new depths.

    Indeed, anyone who has followed this closely will have seen images that can never be unseen.

    Tiny bodies, wrapped in bundles.

    In Israel and Gaza.

    Mothers and fathers shattered by the ultimate grief.

    The innocent dead.

    Israeli. Palestinian. Muslim. Jew.

    It’s a tragedy where the facts on the ground are changing by the minute, but where the consequences will last for decades and the trauma might never fade.

    A crisis where the search for solutions is shrouded, not just by the fog of war but by an ever-darkening cloud of misinformation.

    Nonetheless, we must do what we can and we must explain what we do.

    Democratic accountability matters – particularly in light of the rising temperature on British streets.

    Our efforts must respond to the two immediate tragedies.

    To the 7th of October – the biggest slaughter of Jews – and that is why they were killed, do not doubt that, since the Holocaust.

    Men, women, children, babies murdered, mutilated and tortured by the terrorists of Hamas.

    Over 200 hostages, including British citizens, taken back into Gaza.

    Make no mistake.

    This is terrorism on a scale and brutality that few countries have ever experienced – certainly not this one.

    And that is an immutable fact that must drive our response to these events.

    As must the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza which again, plays out on a previously unimaginable scale.

    Thousands of innocent Palestinians…

    Dead.

    Displaced.

    Desperate for food and water, reduced to drinking contaminated filth, hiding out in hospitals for shelter whilst in those same buildings, babies lie in incubators that could turn off at any moment.

    At every stage during this crisis, my approach has been driven by the need to respond to both these tragedies.

    To stand by the right to self-defence of any nation which suffers terrorism on this scale alongside the basic human rights of innocent Palestinians caught, once again, in the crossfire.

    To focus, at every stage, on the practical steps that might make a material difference on the ground.

    In the short-term – on the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the efforts by Israel to rescue her hostages.

    But in the future, also to the hope that I know still burns brightly for those who want peace.

    The two-state solution.

    An Israel where every citizen enjoys the security they need.

    And a viable Palestinian state where the Palestinian people and their children enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that we all take for granted.

    That is why, while I understand calls for a ceasefire, at this stage I do not believe that is the correct position now, for two reasons.

    One, because a ceasefire always freezes any conflict in the state where it currently lies.

    And as we speak, that would leave Hamas with the infrastructure and the capability to carry out the sort of attack we saw on October the 7th.

    Attacks that are still ongoing.

    Hostages who should be released – still held.

    Hamas would be emboldened and start preparing for future violence immediately.

    And it is this context which explains my second reason, which is that our current calls for pauses in the fighting for clear and specific humanitarian purposes, and which must start immediately is right in practice as well as principle.

    In fact it is – at this moment– the only credible approach that has any chance of achieving what we all want to see in Gaza – the urgent alleviation of Palestinian suffering.

    Aid distributed quickly.

    Space to get hostages out.

    That is why it is also the position shared by our major allies, in the US and the EU and I urge all parties to heed its call.

    Over time, the facts on the ground will inevitably change in relation to both hostages being rescued and Hamas’s capability to carry out attacks like we saw on October the 7th.

    And we must move to cessation of fighting as quickly as possible.

    Because the reality is that neither the long-term security of Israel nor long-term justice for Palestine can be delivered by bombs and bullets.

    Open-ended military action, action without a clear and desired political outcome is ultimately futile.

    This needs to begin now because a political agreement – however unlikely that seems today, however painful the first steps are to take – is the only way to resolve this conflict, once and for all.

    That is why our position and our counsel has always been that Israel must submit to the rules of international law.

    The right to self-defence is fundamental but it is not a blank cheque.

    The supply of basic utilities like water, medicines, electricity and yes, fuel to civilians in Gaza cannot be blocked by Israel.

    Every life matters, so every step must be taken to protect civilians from bombardment.

    Palestinians should not be forced to leave their homes en masse, but where they have no choice but to flee within Gaza we need crystal clear guarantees that they will be able to return quickly.

    You cannot overstate the importance of this last point.

    In conflicts like this, the most painful blows are those that land on the bruises of history.

    And for Palestinians – the threat of displacement sends a shiver down the spine.

    It must be disavowed urgently, clearly and by all.

    Because, while it may feel like a truism, so often the trauma of the present, leads directly to the tragedy of the future.

    Hamas know this.

    They knew Israel would have to respond.

    Their aim on October the 7th was not just to kill Jews, it was to bring death upon their fellow Muslims in Gaza.

    A plan, written in blood, to isolate Israel from the West, destroy its improving relations with other Arab Nations and ultimately, provoke wider regional conflicts across the Middle East.

    That threat remains real.

    And I echo President Biden’s sage advice to Israel.

    To understand, in its own interest, why a whirlwind of understandable emotion and rage must not blind it to the fact that it is Hamas it must target, Hamas that is the enemy, Hamas brutality that must be prevented, and not the Palestinian people, who must be protected.

    So I say again – we have to get many more aid trucks across the Rafah crossing.

    We have to get food, water, electricity, medicine and fuel into Gaza.

    We have to preserve innocent lives.

    Hospitals must be protected and cannot become targets.

    Across the West – we have been calling for this for weeks.

    But it hasn’t happened.

    The siege conditions haven’t lifted.

    That’s unacceptable – and it cannot continue.

    The risk of regional escalation is real and must be prevented.

    This is why millions of people across our country are rightly concerned.

    Concerned as well – about the impact this is having on communities here in Britain.

    There are some who want us divided.

    But our approach to multi-culturalism is envied around the globe.

    Jews, Christians, and Muslims live side-by-side and this is so ordinary it is barely remarked upon.

    Inter-faith marriages are common.

    People celebrate each others’ traditions and festivals as naturally as they do their own.

    The freedom of religious expression is uncontroversial.

    We don’t stop often enough to reflect on how unusual this is.

    How Britain’s modern diverse democracy is an existential challenge to people, all around the world, who say this cannot be done, something we’ve worked hard for, through the generations and that at moments like this we do have a responsibility to fight for it.

    We cannot have a Britain where Jewish business are attacked, Jewish schools marked with red paint, Jewish families hiding who they are.

    We cannot have a Britain where Muslim women feel scared to take public transport, Mosques are attacked, Palestinian restaurants receive death threats.

    No – this isn’t our Britain.

    And in the Labour Party we will have to reach out to communities under pressure and show them the respect and empathy they deserve as a fundamental British right.

    But ultimately, the gravest ramifications of failure, will of course be felt in the Middle East itself.

    For too long the international community has put the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into the too difficult box.

    There is no recent equivalent of anything like the concerted push for peace we saw in the 1990s and early 2000s.

    No – what has happened is we have continually paid lip service to a two-state solution.

    Because it’s easier – convenient – perhaps to look away.

    To look away from Gaza.

    Knowing it is controlled by those who want to kill Jews and wipe Israel off the map.

    To look away from Israel.

    Knowing people live without the security which they deserve.

    To look away from the West Bank.

    Knowing more settlements are being built against international law.

    Now – I don’t say any of this to start a new round of arguments or hand-wringing.

    Instead this must be the time for a new resolve.

    A renewed push, from all parties, to find a way to peace.

    It will mean engaging with our Arab partners, working urgently on viable plans for a Palestine free from the terrorism of Hamas.

    It will mean engaging with Israel, seeking to address its security concerns in the future but showing clearly that the settlement building is unacceptable, unlawful and has to stop.

    The Palestinian people need to know there is a genuine will and determination from Israel, from Arab states, from the West to finally address their plight in deeds as well as words.

    Because the Palestinian claim to statehood is not in the gift of a neighbour.

    It is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people and the clear logic of any call for a two-state solution.

    So my Labour Party will fight for that cause.

    We will work with international partners towards the recognition of a Palestinian state as part of a negotiated, just and lasting peace.

    Because even in the darkest days – in fact especially in the darkest days – we have to keep alive the light of peace.

    Fight, despite the horror of the present, for the fragile hope of the future.

    Focusing, always, on the difference we can make.

    This is an old conflict, but it is not and never has been an issue that will be solved by the black and white simplicity of unbending conviction.

    Rather, the colour of peace – always in conflict resolution is grey.

    And in the coming days and months we must do everything we can to fight for it.

    Thank you.

  • James Cleverly – 2023 Statement at the Cairo Peace Summit

    James Cleverly – 2023 Statement at the Cairo Peace Summit

    The statement made by James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, in Cairo on 21 October 2023.

    Thank you Mr President for convening this incredibly important meeting at this difficult time.

    I am sure we all share the revulsion at Hamas’s murderous acts of terrorism, the targeting of civilians, the murdering of children, the desecration of dead bodies. And I’m sure we are all distressed by the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza whose lives have been made harder, more painful and more dangerous because of the brutal attacks by Hamas on the 7th of October. And we all mourn the dead, both Israeli and Palestinian.

    This has been an issue which has long stimulated passions and we are now all seeing on social media and in our communities how divisive and polarising the current situation has become. So we have a duty, a duty to work together to prevent instability from engulfing the region and claiming yet more lives. We must work together to prevent the tragic situation in Gaza becoming a regional conflict because that is exactly what Hamas wants.

    We remind ourselves that just months ago the Negev summit was a moment of hope, hope for peaceful coexistence between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Hamas has long stood in direct opposition to that vision and we must therefore ensure that Hamas does not win. Rather, we must ensure the peaceful co-existence wins.

    The UK notes the thoughtful and calm words of President Abbas on behalf of the Palestinian people, and we are grateful to the governments who are seeking to intercede on behalf of those held hostage and those foreign nationals who are trapped in Gaza. And we are grateful for the work to ensure that the humanitarian aid, which many of us have partially funded, reaches those Gazans who are deeply in need.

    The UK is clear and has been consistently clear that Israel has the right to self-defence and the right to secure the release of those who were kidnapped on the 7th of October. And we are also clear that we must work and they must work to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza and that their actions are in accordance with international law. I have spoken directly to the Israeli government about their duty to respect international law and the importance of preserving civilian lives in Gaza. Despite the incredibly difficult circumstances, I have called for discipline and professionalism and restraint from the Israeli military.

    The situation currently unfolding is probably the most challenging situation that I have had to deal with in my professional, personal or political life. And I suspect that I am not alone.

    But I still believe in the power of diplomacy, and I still believe that we can work together to secure a future where Israelis and Palestinians live in peace.

  • Claire Coutinho – 2023 Speech at the Energy UK conference

    Claire Coutinho – 2023 Speech at the Energy UK conference

    The speech made by Claire Coutinho, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, in London on 18 October 2023.

    Good afternoon everyone.

    It’s a pleasure to join you today.

    You are lucky to have such a strong champion in Emma [Pinchbeck].

    Before I met her, someone described Emma to me as ‘pretty candid’.

    Now I’ve got to know her a bit, I can confirm they were absolutely right.

    So I’m delighted to give my first keynote speech as Energy Secretary to this audience.

    And hopefully offer a few candid views of my own.

    I feel incredibly privileged to be in this job.

    Simply put, this is the most exciting sector to be in right now.

    Energy also brings together the 3 key policy areas I’ve worked on my whole career.

    Investment, jobs and economic growth.

    Net zero and the wider environment.

    And helping disadvantaged families and communities, something I’ve always been passionate about.

    We cannot thrive as a country without affordable, reliable, abundant energy.

    We cannot prosper or protect our population without energy security.

    Nor can our children flourish if we don’t decarbonise energy, and ensure that the whole ecosystem survives intact for the next generation.

    That’s a huge responsibility on all our shoulders.

    So as the new Secretary of State, my pledge to the industry is to work with you as closely as possible.

    And to listen.

    To make sure our ambitions chime with your capacity to deliver and grow.

    In fact I’ve already spoken to hundreds of you since taking up the job to make sure we are changing policy with the realities you face in mind.

    I feel enormously optimistic about the energy sector.

    At a local level it supports millions of jobs around the country.

    Offshore wind jobs in Humber, Cornwall and East Anglia.

    Nuclear jobs in Somerset and Suffolk.

    Oil and gas jobs in Scotland.

    And jobs throughout the supply chain.

    Energy is helping revitalise communities that played an instrumental role in Britain’s industrial growth, yet declined for much of the 20th century.

    And it is increasingly important for us to think long term in light of rising global instability at a time when much of the world is transitioning to clean energy.

    I can’t help but feel that this is the most important sector when it comes to changing our world for the better. I know you do too.

    So it’s fitting we’re in this building today.

    The home of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

    Where so many great energy figures from history are celebrated.

    From famous names like Watt and Faraday.

    To less well-known figures like John Smeaton, for example commemorated with his own room.

    A man who could be described as one of the fathers of renewable energy.

    250 years ago, Smeaton was designing groundbreaking waterwheels and windmills that turned natural energy into motion, transforming production of food and textiles and paving the way for the Industrial Revolution.

    He reminds us, that the energy pioneers of the past not only had brilliant minds.

    They had good timing too.

    They had the opportunity which presents itself when creative minds meet eras of phenomenal progress.

    These transitions don’t happen very often. The Renaissance. The Industrial Revolution.

    And now we are on the brink of perhaps the most important transition of all, when centuries of change are being compressed into years.

    And what’s exciting, is Britain’s potential to shape this transition and seize this opportunity, through our own innovation and investment.

    Of course we’re conscious of what other countries are doing to stimulate green investment, particularly the US and Europe.

    I’ve made investment my top priority.

    I’ve also tasked my department to prioritise investment decisions.

    And we’re looking across government at how we can further accelerate investment in green industries.

    But how many other nations are spending £20 billion to get their carbon capture and storage industry up and running?

    No other technology offers Britain bigger or more exciting potential for our green energy future than carbon capture.

    We will only succeed in the energy transition if we double down on sectors with the greatest opportunities.

    The greatest opportunities to decarbonise.

    To help polluting industries go green.

    And to grow our economy.

    Make no mistake, carbon capture and storage is one of those sectors.

    So we’ll be publishing a long-term vision for CCUS later this year.

    But we’re also investing in our world leading offshore wind sector,  delivering enough offshore wind to power the equivalent of every home in Britain by 2030.

    I am committed to a successful AR6, a round that includes offshore wind in which sustainably priced projects will be able to compete.

    And we’ll be publishing the administrative strike price for the next round in November.

    In addition, we’ll generate enough solar energy to power over 28 million electric vehicles by 2035.

    We’re spending £700 million to boost fusion technology.

    We’re backing space-based solar projects.

    And Britain’s nuclear revival is well under way.

    With Hinkley Point C in Somerset set to provide enough secure, low carbon electricity to power around 6 million homes.

    And Sizewell C in Suffolk, a sister project featuring the most powerful electricity generators in the world, to supply another 6 million homes.

    We’ve launched Great British Nuclear to deliver our programme.

    Its first priority to accelerate the development of Small Modular Reactors.

    And as we announced the other day, we’ve chosen 6 companies to progress to the next competitive stage to design and build the UK’s first SMRs.

    Bringing all our work together is the Energy Bill – the vehicle for delivering the energy strategy.

    To turbocharge British technology.

    To liberate £100 billion of private investment, scaling-up green jobs and growth.

    And to make Britain energy secure.

    Yet I also recognise that there are profound challenges.

    From COVID-19 to Ukraine and the shocking events of the last few weeks.

    It’s been an uncertain few years.

    For the energy industry.

    For families and households.

    And yes, for governments too.

    You’ve told me about the issues you face and what we need to do to lead the energy transition.

    For example, many of you have spoken about practicalities and how we can unclog the system and how we can give you as much of a long lead time as possible.

    That’s why the most important announcement we have made recently is prioritising grid connections, and reforms to infrastructure and planning.

    I am acutely aware that although we’re investing tens of billions in new energy projects, we don’t yet have the grid infrastructure to bring that energy to households and businesses.

    At a time of rising demand, when we need increased electrification at pace it takes too long to build new grid connections.

    So we’re going to introduce comprehensive reforms.

    We’ll set out the UK’s first ever spatial plan for infrastructure to give industry more certainty.

    We’ll speed up planning for the most nationally significant projects.

    And we’ll raise the bar to enter the queue and make sure those who are ready first, will connect first.

    The Holistic Network Design, published by the Electricity System Operator, is a blueprint for the connection of over 20GW of offshore wind.

    We strongly supported Ofgem’s Accelerating Strategic Transmission Investment decision at the end of last year, allowing £20 billion to accelerate key transmission projects.

    To speed up the consenting process for new network infrastructure, the government has consulted on revised energy National Policy Statements.

    And we are bringing forward measures to boost development consent, including a fast-track process.

    As you already heard earlier, Nick Winser has advised us on how the deployment process for electricity transmission infrastructure can be further ramped up, with an ambition to halve delivery times.

    I’d like to thank Nick for all his work – and following his report, we will publish an action plan by the end of the year.

    Releasing network capacity will help reduce connection times.

    And we are creating a Future System Operator to sit at the heart of the energy system, looking across different fuels and technologies to plan the network and increase competition.

    All of this work will streamline planning and delivery and tackle the complexity and fragmentation of the current process.

    Nothing will distract us from achieving net zero or driving forward renewables.

    In fact, this country has led the world on tackling carbon emissions. And we’ll continue to do so.

    Of all the major economies, we have set the toughest targets.

    And thanks in no small part to the energy industry, we’ve exceeded all of them.

    We’ve cut our emissions in half over the past 30 years.

    We’ve boosted our share of renewables from just 7% in 2010 to almost half today.

    We’re third in the world for attracting investment in clean energy – a pretty incredible achievement given our size.

    But to realise our ambitions we must ensure that our energy plans are viable.

    That’s what the Prime Minister’s net zero speech was all about last month.

    A pragmatic approach, to make sure we deliver effectively, taking consumers and industry with us as we decarbonise.

    [political content removed]

    The truth is we can’t impose unaffordable extra costs on households.

    Particularly at a time when millions of families are struggling with the cost of living.

    Instead we need to bring consumers with us on the net zero journey.

    The Climate Change Committee have assessed that there is no material difference in our progress to cut emissions by 2030 since their last report in June, yet these changes have the ability to make a real difference to the finances of households up and down the country.

    I want people to feel nothing but unadulterated optimism when they think about what this means for them, their countries and their children’s futures.

    We are absolutely committed to our targets.

    But we will get there in a way that is fair on family finances.

    We want a retail energy market which is resilient, competitive, and fit for the future. Most importantly, we want a retail energy market that delivers for consumers.

    On that note, I welcome Ofgem’s move to ensure customers get the good service they deserve from their energy supplier, and that vulnerable customers are prioritised and protected.

    You’ll be hearing more on that from Jonathan Brearley soon.

    I also welcome the action which has been taken to put an end to the wrongful installation of prepayment meters in vulnerable households.

    The responsibility is now with suppliers to stick to these new rules while also innovating, so consumers benefit from cheaper renewable electricity, and using their energy when demand is lower.

    Although energy bills have been steadily coming down, 55% since the peak, we’re going to work closely with Ofgem to see how we can support those who are struggling.

    We spent £40 billion last winter protecting communities and businesses, among the highest in Europe.

    And those on means tested benefits will get further support this year with a £900 Cost of Living Payment to ensure struggling families continue to be protected.

    Looking to the future, we’re going to reform markets so they work for consumers much more effectively.

    Rising costs have also hit the industry.

    Particularly the price of materials and the cost of borrowing.

    We’re doing everything we can to reduce inflation.

    From the 10.7% rate in the final 3 months of last year, the CPI was down to 6.7% in August. With it expected to fall further still.

    But the imperative remains.

    We’ll need to continue innovating and reducing costs as an industry to stay competitive.

    Finally – as well as generating new green energy tomorrow, we must make more efficient use of the energy we have today.

    Last winter was incredibly difficult for millions of people.

    We are already investing £6.6 billion in energy efficiency and clean heat this Parliament.

    We’ve launched a £1 billion drive to help more than 300,000 households in most need to cut their energy bills by hundreds of pounds through the Great British Insulation Scheme.

    And we have committed to invest a further £6 billion between 2025 and 2028.

    The share of homes in the highest bands has risen from 16% in 2011 to 47% in 2021.

    And we’ve introduced more generous grants for heat pumps.

    Grants available under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme increase from £5,000 to £7,500 on Monday next week, among the most generous in Europe.

    Which means the first British customer will be able to get one for free under the scheme.

    So to sum up let me tell you again what you already know. There has never been a more exciting time to work in Energy.

    This is exactly why the PM created a standalone department focused solely on energy security and net zero.

    Our ambitions on net zero are undiminished, we continue to have world leading targets and we will meet them with the help of the talent, expertise and innovation in this room.

    I am determined that this historic transition.

    To a net zero economy, to an energy secure nation.

    Is not only one that we can deliver.

    It’s also one that we will deliver together.

    Thank you.

  • Claire Coutinho – 2023 Speech on UK’s Carbon Capture Opportunities

    Claire Coutinho – 2023 Speech on UK’s Carbon Capture Opportunities

    The speech made by Claire Coutinho, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, in London on 17 October 2023.

    Good morning everyone, and a warm welcome to the Carbon Capture & Storage Association (CCSA) conference.

    A huge thank you to Ruth for everything that she’s done to put this together.

    It is genuinely a real pleasure to be here today to talk about the extraordinary opportunities for carbon capture that we have in this country.

    Two hundred years ago, Britain was instrumental in helping the world industrialise.

    It was our innovation, creativity, and global reach that spread the industrial revolution and transformed global economies.

    Today we have a different, but no less important, role to play – helping the world decarbonise.

    We’ve already cut our own carbon emissions in half in just 30 years and boosted our share of renewables from 7% in our energy output in 2010 to almost half today.

    Of all the major economies, we have set the toughest targets and thanks in no small part to our energy industry, we have exceeded all of them.

    But the challenges ahead are significant.

    How do we accelerate those reductions?

    How do we help other countries do the same?

    And how do we achieve it fast enough to put a brake on climate change?

    I passionately believe that the key to success will be doubling down on sectors with the greatest opportunities.

    The greatest opportunities to decarbonise, to help polluting industries go green and to boost jobs, investment and growth.

    And make no mistake, carbon capture and storage is one of those sectors.

    Britain’s vast potential means I believe we can lead the world in safely capturing and storing carbon dioxide.

    Creating a path for industries which cannot decarbonise at the pace we require – like cement and chemicals – to join the green revolution.

    And there are other compelling benefits.

    For example, CCUS will help ensure the reliability of electricity supplies, bolstering our future energy security and it will help regenerate communities across the country, particularly in our industrial heartlands and coastal communities where jobs and investment are most needed.

    Before Parliament, I spent a lot of time working with those communities which felt left behind and the prospect today of a new, multi-billion-pound cycle of investments in decarbonisation projects represents huge hope for the future.

    We have the right geology, the right infrastructure, and the right skills to be at the forefront of carbon capture and to lift other economies by cutting the cost of decarbonising.

    That’s why the government is making a massive commitment to this game-changing technology.

    The Prime Minister has made it abundantly clear in recent weeks that we need pragmatic answers to cut the carbon challenge.

    And there’s no better example of this than CCUS.

    Carbon capture and storage is pragmatism in action.

    What’s more common sense than taking advantage of our own geography to address one of the greatest threats facing mankind?

    That’s why we remain fully committed to:

    our unprecedented £20 billion for early deployment of the technology, among the biggest funding commitments in Europe
    the first 8 projects of the ‘first-of-a-kind capture networks’ we’ll be taking forward in the North East, North West and Wales
    and the next 2 carbon capture clusters in the North East and Scotland
    These announcements put us on track to achieve between 20 and 30 million tonnes of captured and stored carbon dioxide a year – the equivalent of taking 4 and 6 million cars off the road each year from 2030.

    If we make this target, it will support 50,000 jobs by 2030, and add £5 billion to the economy by 2050.

    Not only helping us deliver our net zero commitments but also creating prosperity throughout the UK.

    I was delighted to reach alignment with Eni on the key commercial principles to take Hynet forward, and I’m looking forward to working further with them to celebrate this important milestone.

    But of course we must look beyond the domestic implications of CCUS.

    CCUS will be a global industry, and to continue leading in this space we need to think beyond UK clusters.

    This also poses some key questions.

    Firstly, how do we deliver enough storage to make Carbon Budget 6 a reality?

    The North Sea Transition Authority estimates as much as 100 carbon stores will be needed to meet our net zero commitments.

    Well we have the space, and then some.

    With 78 billion tonnes of potential storage, the reality is the UK has the potential to be one of the greatest CO2 storage bases in Europe.

    But if we want to match that space to market need we’ll require a system level approach, creating a brand new network with new technical codes and contracts, with government and industry working together to achieve it.

    We will set out that ambition and I know for many of you this must include more clarity on timelines.

    I’ve spoken to lots of investors and stakeholders since I’ve been in this role and that has come out clearly.

    So my department will be publishing a vision for the CCUS sector later this year.

    This will provide a long-term picture of an expanding sector to bolster investor confidence.

    But the second question is no less important.

    How do we keep costs down? And therefore, how do we remain competitive?

    As the Prime Minister has made clear, we don’t get to net zero without honest conversation with the public.

    Part of that conversation is demonstrating that we have achieved the best value for money possible.

    We can’t separate the market and the path to net zero.

    Now, I recognise that costs have gone up, that the sector is dealing with materials price inflation.

    We’ve done everything we can to reduce costs in our economy.

    From the 10.7% inflation rate in the final 3 months of last year, the CPI is now down considerably in August and projected to fall further.

    But whatever the final rate for 2023, the imperative remains that we need you to innovate to drive cost reductions and deliver as much carbon stores for as little money as possible.

    In the longer-term, CCUS will not be successful unless we can demonstrate that the industry is self-sustaining.

    And we can do that together, building on the strong partnership that government and industry have developed over the last few years.

    If you help us to design viable business models, that will give businesses the confidence to invest in them.

    And we know that if these questions can be answered an immense prize is waiting for us.

    We can capture £8 billion of global CCUS turnover by 2050, and create thousands of jobs from the north-east of Scotland to Morecombe Bay, Wales and Humber.

    We can help Britain achieve energy security, so we are no longer at the whims of foreign regimes.

    And we can make an immense contribution to Britain achieving its carbon targets, and helping carbon-intensive industries join the green energy revolution.

    Without a doubt, carbon capture and storage stands among the most exciting and effective ways in which Britain can lead in tackling climate change.

    And ultimately, it’s the people in this room who have the capacity to make it happen.

    So let’s make it happen together.

    Thank you.

  • Rory Stewart – 2015 Speech on Hedgehog Preservation

    Rory Stewart – 2015 Speech on Hedgehog Preservation

    The speech made by Rory Stewart, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in the House of Commons on 10 November 2015.

    Multa novit vulpes, verum echinus unum magnum, Madam Deputy Speaker.

    Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge and Malling) (Con): In every happy home is a hedgehog, as the Pashtuns would say. I urge my hon. Friend to encourage our Pashtun community in this country to follow that example.

    Rory Stewart: I am very grateful for that Pushtun intervention, but my hon. Friend refers, of course, to the Asian variety of the hedgehog rather than the western hedgehog, which is the subject of our discussion today.

    The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.

    I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to respond to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile). I believe that this is the first time that Parliament has discussed hedgehogs since 1566, when the subject was famously raised in relation to the attribution of a bounty of tuppence for the collection of the hedgehog throughout the United Kingdom.

    The hedgehog has undergone an extraordinary evolution. The year 1566 seems very recent, but the hedgehog was around before then. It was around before this Parliament. The hedgehog, and its ancestor, narrowly missed being crushed under the foot of Tyrannosaurus rex. The hedgehog was around long before the human species: it existed 56 million years ago. It tells us a great deal about British civilisation that my hon. Friend has raised the subject, because the hedgehog is a magical creature. It is a creature that appears on cylinder seals in Sumeria, bent backwards on the prows of Egyptian ships. The hedgehog has of course a famous medicinal quality taken by the Romany people for baldness and it represents a symbol of the resurrection found throughout Christian Europe.

    This strange animal was known, of course, in Scotland, Wales and Ireland originally in Gaelic as that demonic creature, that horrid creature, and is the hedgehog celebrated by Shakespeare:

    “Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen…

    Come not near our faerie queen”,

    and famously of course in “Richard III” there is that great moment when Gloucester is referred to as a hedgehog. It tells us something about Britain today; it represents a strange decline in British civilisation from a notion of this magical, mystical, terrifying creature to where it is today, and I refer of course to my own constituent, the famous cleanliness representative of Penrith and The Border, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle.

    I want to be serious for a moment. The hedgehog is of course an important environmental indicator, with its habitat, its ability to occupy 30 hectares of land, and its particular relationship to the hibernaculum, by which I mean the hedgehog’s ability, almost uniquely among animals in the United Kingdom, to go into a state of genuine hibernation. Its heartbeat goes from 240 a minute to only two a minute for six months a year. It has a particular diet—a focus on grubs and beetles. The street hedgehog initiative, which my hon. Friend has brought forward, reminds us that, by cutting holes in the bottom of our hedges, we can create again an opportunity for hedgehogs to move.

    The hedgehog provides a bigger lesson for us in our environment—first, a lesson in scientific humility. The hedgehog has of course been studied for over 2,000 years. The first scientific reference to the hedgehog is in Aristotle; he is picked up again by Isidore of Seville in the 8th century and again by Buffon in the 18th century, and these are reminders of the ways in which we get hedgehogs wrong. Aristotle points out that the hedgehog carries apples on his spine into his nest. Isidore of Seville argues that the hedgehog travels with grapes embedded on his spine. Buffon believes these things might have been food for the winter, but as we know today the hedgehog, hibernating as he does, is not a creature that needs to take food into his nest for the winter.

    Again, our belief in Britain that the five teeth of the hedgehog represent the reaction of the sinful man to God—the five excuses that the sinful man makes to God—is subverted by our understanding that the hedgehog does not have five teeth. Finally, the legislation introduced in this House, to my great despair, in 1566 which led to the bounty of a tuppence on a hedgehog was based on a misunderstanding: the idea that the hedgehog fed on the teats of a recumbent cow in order to feed itself on milk. This led to the death of between of half a million and 2 million hedgehogs between 1566 and 1800, a subject John Clare takes forward in a poem of 1805 and which led my own Department, the Ministry of Agriculture, in 1908 to issue a formal notice to farmers encouraging them not to believe that hedgehogs take milk from the teats of a recumbent cow, because of course the hedgehog’s mouth is too small to be able to perform this function.

    But before we mock our ancestors, we must understand this is a lesson for us. The scientific mistakes we made in the past about the hedgehog are mistakes that we, too, may be mocked for in the future. We barely understand this extraordinary creature. We barely understand for example its habit of self-anointing; we will see a hedgehog produce an enormous amount of saliva and throw it over its back. We do not understand why it does that. We do not really understand its habit of aestivation, which is to say the hedgehog which my hon. Friend referred to—the Pushto version of the hedgehog—hibernates in the summer as well as the winter. We do not understand that concept of aestivation.

    For those of us interested in environmental management, the hedgehog also represents the important subject of conflict in habitats. The habitat that suits the hedgehog is liminal land: it is edge land, hedgerows and dry land. The hedgehog is not an animal that flourishes in many of our nature reserves. It does not do well in peatland or in dense, heavy native woodland. The things that prey on the hedgehog are sometimes things that we treasure. My hon. Friend mentioned badgers.

    Rebecca Pow: Does the Minister agree that the successful survival of our hedgehog population is a direct reflection of how healthy and sustainable our environment is? It is important that we should look after the environment, because the knock-on effect of that will be that our hedgehog population will be looked after.

    Rory Stewart: That is an important point. The hedgehog is a generalist species, and traditionally we have not paid much attention to such species. We have been very good at focusing on specialist species, such as the redshank, which requires a particular kind of wet habitat. The hedgehog is a more challenging species for us to take on board.

    As I was saying, the hedgehog is a good indicator for hedgerow habitat, although it is not much use for peatland or wetland. The hedgehog raises some important environmental questions. One is the question of conflict with the badger. Another is the question of the hedgehog in the western isles, which relates to the issue of the hedgehog’s potential predation on the eggs of the Arctic tern.

    Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP): On the point about the hedgehog in the western isles, we have established that hedgehogs are a devolved matter. My hon. Friend the Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr MacNeil) is not in the Chamber at the moment. Scottish Natural Heritage is doing careful work to humanely remove hedgehogs from the Hebrides, and it would be interesting to hear how the UK Government intend to support that work.

    Rory Stewart: This is an important reminder that things that matter enormously to our civilisation, our society and our hearts—such as the hedgehog—have to be in the right place. In New Zealand, hedgehogs are considered an extremely dangerous invasive species that has to be removed for the same reasons that people in Scotland are having to think about controlling them there. It does not matter whether we are talking about badgers, hedgehogs or Arctic terns—it is a question of what place they should occupy.

    Finally—and, I think, more positively—what the hedgehog really represents for us is an incredible symbol of citizen science. The energy that my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport has brought to the debate is a great example of British, or perhaps English, eccentricity, and it is on the basis of English eccentricity that our habitat has been preserved. Gilbert White, the great 18th century naturalist, was himself an immense eccentric. It has been preserved thanks to eccentrics such as my hon. Friend and, perhaps most famously of all, Hugh Warwick, the great inspiration behind the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. He has written no fewer than three books on the hedgehog, and he talks very movingly about staring into the eyes of a hedgehog and getting a sense of its wildness from its gaze. These enthusiasts connect the public to nature, sustain our 25-year environment programme and contribute enormously to our scientific understanding of these animals. This is true in relation to bees, to beavers and in particular to Hugh Warwick’s work on hedgehogs. I am also pleased that the hon. Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow (Dr Cameron) mentioned national hedgehog day in an earlier intervention.

    Ultimately, we need to understand that the hedgehog is a very prickly issue. The reason for that is that my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport has raised the question of adopting the hedgehog as our national symbol. Some hon. Members will remember that the hedgehog was used by Saatchi & Saatchi in an advertising campaign for the Conservative party in 1992 general election. We should therefore pay tribute to the hedgehog’s direct contribution to our election victory in that year. But I would like to challenge my hon. Friend’s assertion that the hedgehog should become our national symbol. I ask you, Madam Deputy Speaker, as I ask those on both sides of this House, because this question concerns not only one party, but all of us: do we want to have as our national symbol an animal which when confronted with danger rolls over into a little ball and puts its spikes up? Do we want to have as our national symbol an animal that sleeps for six months of the year? Or would we rather return to the animal that is already our national symbol? I refer, of course, to the lion, which is majestic, courageous and proud.

    If I may finish with a little testimony to my hon. Friend and to those innocent creatures which are hedgehogs, perhaps I can reach back to them not as a symbol for our nation but as a symbol of innocence to Thomas Hardy. He says:

    “When the hedgehog travels furtively over the lawn,

    One may say, ‘He strove that such innocent creatures should come to no harm,

    But he could do little for them; and now he is gone.’

    If, when hearing that I have been stilled at last, they stand at the door,

    Watching the full-starred heavens that winter sees,

    Will this thought rise on those who will meet my face no more,

    ‘He was one who had an eye for such mysteries’?

    Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): I paused because I wanted to encourage some more positive noises for the Minister, who has just made one of the best speeches I have ever heard in this House.

  • Lucy Frazer – 2023 Speech at the Connected Futures Conference

    Lucy Frazer – 2023 Speech at the Connected Futures Conference

    The speech made by Lucy Frazer, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in London on 12 October 2023.

    Thank you to the Youth Futures Foundation for inviting me to be part of this Connected Futures Conference.

    Days like today are a real opportunity to explore how we best go about supporting disadvantaged young people into education, employment and training.

    I’m pleased to be able to share with you some of what we’re doing in Government to help our young people achieve their potential.

    Changing young people’s lives and giving them the best start in life is the reason I entered into politics.

    Because, as all of you in this room will know, how we help and support young people can make a phenomenal difference.

    Every bit of support we give, makes a difference to an individual and I wanted to start with a story of a girl, called Shamza.

    Earlier this year I took part in a roundtable with young people who had taken part in a national citizens service programme.

    Around the table was a group of young adults, inspiring young people who were confident and engaged with their communities.

    This hadn’t always been the case.

    Many of them were disadvantaged, a significant proportion were carers.

    Amongst them was an inspiring young woman called Shamza.

    Shamza told me that she came to the UK 3 years ago and when she came she didn’t speak any English.

    But despite this obstacle, she carried with her a dream of one day working for the police.

    She signed up to the NCS, she’s now fluent in English and last month she started her journey into the police as an apprentice.

    She grasped the opportunities that came with the NCS programme and used that programme as a springboard to start her new life in the UK.

    Her story is one that speaks to the power of youth services and what they should be about – opening doors for young people and creating chances where they didn’t previously exist.

    And that’s why this kind of event is so important.

    Because it brings together all of you.

    Think tanks. Local Government. National Government. Businesses. Delivery partners.

    From Blackpool FC Community Trust, the British Chambers of Commerce and the University of Central Lancashire to KPMG, PWC and Virgin.

    The huge range of organisations we have here today reflects the fact that young people are not just the responsibility of governments – we all have a role to play.

    And while you may all be here from different organisations, you all have one thing in common: you are invested in the future of our young people.

    You share our ambition of giving young people the tools they need to realise their untapped potential.

    As a Government, we recognise how important all of your organisations are, and we’re grateful for everything you’re doing collectively to improve outcomes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

    YFF, in particular, has used Dormant Assets Funding to really unpick and find solutions to some of the challenges facing young people today.

    And – by bringing together the youth sector, local authorities, schools, parents, and the private sector – your focus on building the evidence base is already helping to make a difference to how we help more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into education, into employment and into training.

    And I know that the Connected Futures Programme is exactly about this sort of work.

    Fostering local partnerships to address challenges, to share best practice and to drive greater quality of youth provision at a local level.

    Now, as many of you may know, this is one of the areas of my portfolio I am most passionate about – investing in maximising the potential of young people across the country.

    I believe that we should ensure that every young person should have more opportunities than their parents.

    And to achieve that I think every young person needs someone to talk to, something to do, and somewhere to go.

    It’s an issue I’ve been passionate about throughout my time in Government.

    When I was on the education select committee, when I was a justice minister responsible for youth justice and now as Secretary of State with some responsibility for youth policy.

    I’d like to just touch on why these 3 things are so important and measures I have recently announced that build on them.

    When it comes to giving young people someone to talk to, I know millions of young people across the country were just as lucky as I was.

    Many have parents and grandparents to lead them on their journey.

    Some people find teachers.

    So last month, we announced our plan to work with the Youth Futures Foundation to support young people at risk of falling out of education, employment or training after 18.

    So, through the £15 million Building Futures programme, funded by the Dormant Assets Scheme, as many as 5,000 young people aged 14 to 16, will be offered intensive mentoring and wraparound support.

    We have high hopes this programme will provide a leg up to those young people who need it most, with personalised guidance, career coaching, and mental health support, and at the same time, it will help really build up the evidence base for what works.

    And I know YFF will be setting out details later in the year on the structure of the programme and the locations for support.

    Secondly, turning to somewhere to go;

    We know that young people don’t want to hang around the streets and fall into the wrong crowd.

    We know that giving them somewhere to go where they can socialise, make new friends, develop new skills, and become more rounded individuals makes a massive difference.

    And that aim is at the heart of our Youth Investment Fund, where 87 organisations across the country have already received Youth Investment Fund grants with over 200 more to come so we can provide more safe spaces for young people.

    At the same time, we’re continuing to deliver the Million Hours Fund, which we run in partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund.

    The fund is injecting £22 million directly to youth organisations in wards across England that are identified as having high rates of anti-social behaviour.

    Each ward will then be able to provide additional hours of any youth activity that is ‘open to all’.

    And finally, young people need something to do.

    We’ve teamed up with a number of the expert organisations in this area to launch programmes tailored to reach different groups.

    To begin with, we’ve extended the Adventures Away from Home Fund.

    Through this Fund we are providing bursaries for around 7,500 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, across England, to access outdoor trips.

    I’ve been fortunate to see first hand how much of a difference these projects and trips can make to people’s lives in igniting their passions.

    I recently visited the Avon Tyrrell outdoor learning centre in the New Forest and had a brilliant conversation with one of their Senior Outdoor Instructors, Jake.

    Jake entered the outdoor industry through an apprenticeship with Avon Tyrrell, after attending a Prince’s Trust residential work placement trip to the outdoor centre.

    He told me about how that work placement, and that experience, made him fall in love with the outdoors and instilled in him a determination to help other young people discover that same love.

    On top of this scheme my Department, with the Youth Endowment Fund and Youth Futures Foundation is going to be launching a new Summer Jobs Programme for up to 2,600 young people, across England.

    To make sure this programme is really targeted where it’s needed most, we’ll be working with local agencies, for example, pupil referral units, local authorities to ensure it reaches those most at risk of becoming involved in youth violence and crime.

    These young people will be offered employment placements for up to six weeks, helping them to not only have something engaging to do, but to improve their life chances on the other side of the placement and help them choose the right path in life.

    As well as both of these schemes, we’re supporting the UK Year of Service, alongside the National Citizen Service Trust.

    The UK Year of Service is about helping those young people who are ready to take their first step into work, but who need some additional support to take it.

    This programme is going to provide meaningful 9 to 12 months work placements to at least 100 young people, across the United Kingdom with the aim of setting them on a positive path towards long-term employment, education or training.

    Once the placements are available later this year, young people will be able to apply directly to roles that inspire them and that they can contribute to the most.

    All these programmes offer something slightly different, but all of them will give young people more of the ‘something to do’ in future.

    We want to give more, more Jake’s and more Shamza’s the chance to thrive.

    And I believe, taken together, we’ve been able to make a huge amount of progress in a relatively short amount of time.

    But I know, and all of you know, that there is a long way to go.

    I’m confident that all of you here today and all of us in Government share the same purpose and are pulling in the same direction.

    You recognise the value of youth services and the sense of belonging they create among young people.

    It is this sense of belonging and the social networks that come with these experiences and these programmes that is vital to improving the life prospects of young people in all parts of the country.

    I am looking forward to working with you all to give young people a fair shot at maximising their potential, now and in the years ahead.

  • Suella Braverman – 2023 Speech to the Police Federation

    Suella Braverman – 2023 Speech to the Police Federation

    The speech made by Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, to the Police Federation on 11 October 2023.

    It is an honour to join you today.

    Let me start by saying there is no greater privilege as Home Secretary than working with the heroic men and women of our police.

    And it is always deeply sobering – and moving – to hear the roll call of officers who have fallen in the line of duty in the past year.

    Words cannot do justice to the debt we owe them, nor to how keenly we feel for their colleagues and loved ones.

    And as Steve mentioned, I have personally been incredibly moved by attending the National Police Memorial Day in Cardiff only a few weeks ago, and also hosting the nominees for the Police Bravery Awards in Downing Street in London earlier this year.

    Those heroes will be forever cherished.

    I support your campaign for a medal for heroes. There is a consensus across government that this needs to happen – and I hope we will be able to announce something very soon.

    It’s my job to enable you to do your jobs. That’s why my colleague the Policing Minister Chris Philp and I have taken the scissors to red tape. We listened when you said that you were spending too much time filling in forms.  And I’m pleased to be working with the NPCC on reforming the rules.

    By changing the rules around how crime is recorded, we could free up around 443,000 hours that could be put to better use.

    There was no need to record two crimes when dealing with stalking, harassment, and controlling or coercive behaviour.

    Nor to record Section 5 Public Order crimes when, on too many occasions, officers arrived only to find an empty street and no disorder.

    It was right for bureaucratic reasons – and in the cause of free speech – to ensure that a malicious communication crime will be recorded only if a criminal threshold has clearly been reached, and not just when someone claims to be offended.

    Now, I’m not fighting my campaign against political correctness in policing only for the sake of the law-abiding majority who want to see officers patrolling the streets, not policing pronouns on Twitter.

    I also know that that’s what the majority of you signed up for, too.

    Recruiting more than 20,000 additional officers and having a record number of officers in England and Wales is just the start.

    But you need clarity from political leaders and I could not be clearer: I believe in the Peelian Principles of policing, I believe in investigating every crime, and I believe in keeping the public safe by catching criminals.

    Anything that distracts from this is unwelcome – whether that’s enforcing non-existent blasphemy laws, unnecessarily recording a non-crime hate incident or joining in with political demonstrations.

    Now, I understand that you as officers must make difficult operational decisions. But the public expects more than just a crime number.

    They want to see the police taking visible action in communities and thoroughly investigating crime.

    I am therefore delighted that the police have agreed to follow all reasonable lines of enquiry for all crime types.

    And when I visited Greater Manchester Police, I saw how Chief Constable Steve Watson transformed that force by following that approach.

    So I expect to see significant improvements in the way police approach crimes like phone theft, car theft, shoplifting, and criminal damage – in order to solve more crimes and restore public confidence in local policing.

    Crime investigations should not be screened out solely on the basis that they are perceived as “minor” and all crimes merit investigation where there is a reasonable line of enquiry to follow up.

    I’m also pleased that the police have all committed to attending the scene of every domestic burglary.

    It’s a terrible crime which causes misery and fear for victims.

    Nor must we ignore the havoc wreaked by anti-social behaviour, and the government’s action plan takes the fight to perpetrators, including through the dispensation of immediate justice.

    And I was pleased to visit Essex police and Derbyshire police to see the rollout of some of the pilots.

    Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of keeping the public safe and making sure they feel safe too.

    We must never forget that the fear of crime inhibits people hugely and diminishes the ability of communities to flourish.

    So we need to continue to build trust between the police and the public. It is crucial that the police are accessible and accountable to communities.

    I am grateful to PCCs and Chief Constables throughout England and Wales for sharing with me their plans to improve confidence in local policing and police visibility, and I will digest all this and look forward to receiving the results of these plans next March.

    We also listened when you said that officers were having to spend too much time taking responsibility for people suffering mental health crises.

    Make no mistake, mental health care really matters. This is about getting the right professionals to undertake the right tasks.

    July saw the announcement of the new National Partnership Agreement, which will see a ‘Right Care, Right Person’ model rolled out throughout England – having been thoroughly achieved in Humberside.

    Humberside Police estimate that this system has saved them over 1,400 hours per month of police time, and similar results across the English forces could save around one million hours.

    The police will only be expected to attend mental health incidents if there is a real and immediate risk of serious harm or where there may be criminal activity.

    Because, the truth is anyone suffering a mental health crisis needs the right support in the most appropriate setting. That is not a police cell.

    Meanwhile, the Public Order Act has given the police greater powers and legal clarity for combatting disruptive protests, which have caused such chaos and eaten up so much police time and money.

    Now, I will always back tried and tested ways of driving down crime.

    We have trialled serious violence reduction orders, which allow the police to stop and search those with convictions for knife crime, to see if they are carrying a weapon.

    Earlier this year, I saw for myself how well this is working in Merseyside.

    And this government has made it easier than ever before for the police to make legitimate use of their stop and search powers.

    At the same time, we have made the use of such powers more transparent and accountable.

    And so, following a consultation earlier this year, the government will introduce a ban on certain types of large knives such as zombie-style knives and machetes. We will legislate when parliamentary time allows.

    And from a personal perspective, having met knife crime campaigners in several forces, for example in Hertfordshire, I have seen the impact that knife legislation can have on saving lives.

    Now technology is vital to enable you to achieve operational success.

    Whether it is in Kent, where they are pioneering the use of technology to support domestic abuse victims, or in South Wales police through the use of facial recognition technology.

    And I want to ensure that you have the best technology available.

    Taser is a valuable tool for the police, and I have received a request from police leaders to approve a new Taser device, the T10, for use in the UK.

    I want you to have the very best kit available, and so I hope to be able to approve the T10 after testing by scientists next year.

    My officials will also continue to review markets to identify any new suppliers and ensure the best technology and the best value for money.

    Now since March 2010, neighbourhood crime including burglary, robbery, and vehicle-related thefts are down by 51 per cent and violent crime down by 46 per cent.

    So we, collectively, are making real progress in tackling high-harm crimes, and I thank you for your work. But there are always tragic reminders that a life can be snatched away in an instant.

    So as part of the government’s commitment to tackle homicide, I will work with the police this winter to put particular focus on the prevention of homicides involving men aged over 25 killed in public.

    Because, too often we have heard about a group of friends on a night out over Christmas ending in tragedy, with an argument escalating into a one-punch homicide.

    We are investing in the police’s national communications campaign to raise awareness of the danger of this appalling phenomenon and in local police-led activity to make pubs, other licensed premises, and the night-time economy safer this winter.

    Now another atrocious crime is rape. Getting police officers with the right skills is critical in the effort to progress and effectively manage cases.

    Operation Soteria has highlighted the importance of specialist knowledge.

    The National Operating Model is now being implemented by all police forces in England and Wales. This innovative approach has brought about real change in the pioneering force, Avon and Somerset.

    It has given officers better tools to improve their decision-making processes, and I have heard first-hand from those supporting victims locally how Chief Constable Sarah Crew’s force is ensuring victims’ needs and rights are front and centre.

    2,000 police investigators will receive new specialist training in rape and sexual offences by next April. And it will be compulsory for all new recruits to undertake rape and sexual offences training.

    Rape is one of those crimes that make your job incredibly demanding emotionally and psychologically.

    It cannot be repeated often enough that you do a job that makes unique – and enormous – demands upon you, and I am determined that government does all it can to support you.

    The Police Covenant is this country’s promise to you and to your families that we will do right by you. Its creation was a vital step, but it is only a starting point. Supporting police officers is an ongoing project that requires constant vigilance, and I promise that I will always listen to you very carefully.

    We are grateful to the Federation for your support of the National Policing Board, championing police welfare and other frontline issues.

    Police Treatment Centres play a vital role in providing essential help to those of you who suffer physical or mental injury as a result of your service.

    The Federation has raised concerns with the way Police Treatment Centres are being funded, and we have asked the National Police Wellbeing Service to conduct a review of the PTCs, to understand the demand on this service and how to best support and utilise it.

    It is perfectly understandable that you are worried about levels of fatigue in policing and its effect on your wellbeing.

    Long, irregular, and uncertain hours doing an exceptionally demanding job are inevitably challenging – but that doesn’t mean we should just accept that it will take a terrible toll.

    Police officers are so admirable precisely because you are human beings and not robots.

    I am interested in the Phase 2 of the fatigue project, led by the National Police Wellbeing Service in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University.

    It will be incredibly helpful to see the results, with 10 to 12 forces due to take part.

    I am very grateful to the volunteers – officers from a number of ‘high-fatigue’ front line roles, such as investigators, response, and firearm teams.

    The government is funding this project as part of the Police Covenant. It uses the latest biometric technology anonymously to capture fatigue levels and deliver an expert-led, 120-day programme to support officers with fatigue recovery.

    It is a unique research project, not just in UK policing, but in the world, and we are already seeing significant improvements in those involved in the study, with improved sleep, reduced fatigue, and better recovery.

    Likewise, as part of our Police Covenant, next month will see the launch of the first national family support package through Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service.

    It includes a range of advice and practical tips for family health, nutrition, and sleep – as well as a book that helps to explain to children what policing is all about.

    I am very grateful to the Police Federation for your input into this work.

    The demands placed on police officers are unique. That’s why the support for you must be bespoke.

    Mental health matters just as much as physical health.

    Indeed, mental ill health can, tragically, claim lives – as some of you know all too well.

    And I am very pleased to be able to announce that we will provide additional funding to set up a 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support Line for current and former members of the police workforce.

    There are employee assistance programmes in a number of forces, with telephone counselling available, but there is no national 24 hour, 7 day a week suicide prevention line. That needs to change.

    Fire and Ambulance have recently established their own 24/7 crisis lines. The police need and deserve no less.

    So as I said at the Conservative Party Conference earlier this month, I want to ensure that when police are called upon to use force or conduct pursuits in the line of duty, officers are able to use their powers with legal certainty and clarity.

    That is why I have announced a review, to report to me by the end of the year, to ensure that the legal and operational frameworks in which they operate are robust and command the confidence of officers and the public.

    I want you to know that I have heard your concerns that you are not being treated fairly, and that processes overlap and take too long.

    Steve, you mentioned pay.

    I was very pleased that we were able to give police officers a 7 per cent pay rise.

    We are in a tough economic climate but prioritising a rise for some of the most selfless, outstanding professionals among us was absolutely right.

    Decent police officers suffer hugely when a minority fall short of the standards required, and in recent years, some have fallen spectacularly short.

    The culture in policing does need significantly to improve. That is one of the areas of focus of Part 2 of the Angiolini Inquiry. The National Centre for Police Leadership, being developed by the College of Policing, is another big step forward.

    Now, I know that every responsible police officer accepts that they must be held accountable for their actions.

    It was right to take action to make it easier for chief constables to remove officers who are not up to the job, right for the public and right for the majority of officers who do the job bravely and well – and who need to able to rely on their colleagues.

    Nor does our duty to you end when you leave the force. The last thing I want is for you to be left adrift.

    In order to help you transition out of policing when the time is right for you and your family, the College of Policing has developed a leavers toolkit, to be launched later this year.

    It will provide practical support such as training and guidance on CV writing and interview skills.

    That said, your chiefs have the option to bring back officers after you have retired, under the NPCC Retire and rejoin guidance.

    Leveraging talent and expertise back into our police force is highly desirable. I encourage all chiefs to think carefully about the balance of their workforce and make sure they are making use of this option to retain the experience and skills the force needs.

    You have chosen a job that is never easy. But it is also immensely worthwhile. Indeed, it is essential – the consequences of not having a world-class police force are too terrible to contemplate.

    And so my final message is a simple one: thank you so much for everything that you do.

  • Independent Expert Panel – 2023 Findings on the Behaviour and Personal Conduct of Peter Bone

    Independent Expert Panel – 2023 Findings on the Behaviour and Personal Conduct of Peter Bone

    The text of the document issued by the Independent Expert Panel into the behaviour and personal conduct of Peter Bone, published on 16 October 2023.

    Text of report (in .pdf format)