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PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with the Sultan of Oman [August 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 August 2024.

The Prime Minister welcomed the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik al Said, to Downing Street this morning.

The Prime Minister began by highlighting the historic relationship between the UK and Oman, noting the special friendship, spanning over 400 years.

The leaders discussed the broad areas of cooperation between their two countries, including defence, security and trade, which they both looked forward to strengthening.

Turning to the situation in the Middle East, the Prime Minister emphasised the clear and urgent the need for de-escalation and urged all parties in the region to exercise restraint.

On Gaza, The Prime Minister reiterated the need for a ceasefire, the return of hostages and an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians. Both agreed on the need for a two-state solution through a peace process.

They looked forward to working closely together in the future.

August 22, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : The UK is alarmed by the escalating violence across Sudan – UK statement at the UN Security Council [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 August 2024.

Statement by Legal Adviser Colin McIntyre at the UN Security Council briefing on ICC Sudan.

Mr. President, the UK is alarmed by the escalation of violence inside Sudan, including in Darfur. The ongoing fighting in El Fasher has caused significant civilian loss of life and has forced thousands to flee their homes. There are also a growing number of reports alleging that serious international crimes are being committed in Darfur as well as elsewhere in Sudan. This includes the recruitment of child soldiers, conflict-related sexual violence, and violence targeted at specific ethnic groups. We are gravely concerned by such reports.

In this context, we particularly welcome the progress that the Office of the Prosecutor has made in advancing accountability as outlined in the 39th report including through continued engagement with Sudanese civil society organisations and through the extensive deployment of investigators to Chad to collect further testimonial evidence.

The UK also welcomes some signs of improved cooperation from those in power in Sudan, including through the provision of visas, the facilitation of a field visit to Port Sudan and engagement in relation to certain priority Requests for Assistance. It is essential that this cooperation continues to improve.

The UK is also pleased to note the continuing progress in the trial of the former Janjaweed commander, Mr Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb. As this landmark case moves forward towards its final stages we pay tribute to the more than 100 victims and witnesses who have participated in the trial. Such trials are critical to ensuring accountability and justice. Indeed the progress in this trial serves to highlight the crucial importance of ensuring that the other individuals subject to outstanding arrest warrants are surrendered to the Court. We call upon the Sudanese authorities to do more to respond substantively to the Office of the Prosecutor’s request for information concerning the whereabouts of Ahmed Harun, Omar Al-Bashir and Abdel Raheem Hussein.

Finally, we note that in October last year, the Human Rights Council adopted the ‘Sudan Core Group’ resolution to establish an independent and international Fact-Finding Mission. We believe that this represents a further important contribution to ensuring impartial investigations of human rights violations and abuses.

Mr. President, the UK reiterates its continued support for the International Criminal Court and for its important work in this situation. This conflict must not be forgotten and we remind all parties to the conflict that the Prosecutor’s mandate is ongoing.

August 22, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK-France Local Government Forum 2024 announced [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 August 2024.

The Government announced that the 2024 edition of the UK-France Local Government Forum will take place in Leeds on 12 and 13 December, co-hosted by Leeds and Bradford City Councils and supported by the West Yorkshire Mayor. This will be the third edition of the forum, following on from the successful 2022 event in Nancy.

The forum is an opportunity for mayors, leaders, cabinet members, councillors and officers from sub-national government – be that district, borough, city, unitary or county councils, as well as combined authorities – to meet and exchange with French counterparts on subjects of common interest, as well as be part of a dialogue with national government representation. This year’s forum will focus specifically on social inclusion and placemaking and will be extra special in this 120th anniversary year of the Entente Cordiale, which ushered in a new era of cooperation between Britain and France. The ties between the UK and France are deep, historic and vital, and it is the partnerships between our communities that sustain and enrich those ties.

The Government welcomes interest to attend or participate in the forum, in particular from leaders of councils or combined authorities with active partnership projects and or twinning arrangements with their equivalents in France and those who might be interested in establishing or re-invigorating such links.

The Government will share further details of the programme and how to register in due course. If you require further information or have any questions, please contact: UKFRLocalGovForum@fcdo.gov.uk

August 22, 2024
David Lammy – 2024 Statement on Situation in Bangladesh

The statement made by David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, on 5 August 2024.

The last 2 weeks in Bangladesh have seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life. A transitional period has been announced by the Chief of the Army Staff.

All sides now need to work together to end the violence, restore calm, de-escalate the situation and prevent any further loss of life.

The people of Bangladesh deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks.

The UK wants to see action taken to ensure Bangladesh a peaceful and democratic future. The UK and Bangladesh have deep people-to-people links and shared Commonwealth values.

August 22, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : First Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements live for 2024 [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 5 August 2024.

The first Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements for 2024 are now live as the government starts to deliver on its commitment to restore stability for the farming sector by continuing the controlled rollout of the scheme.

Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said:

This Government recognises that food security is national security. We said we would provide stability for farmers and we are delivering on this commitment by confirming that the first Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements are now live.

This is the first step to increase farmer confidence, as part of our new deal for farmers, to boost Britain’s food security, restore nature and support rural economic growth. We will optimise Environmental Land Management schemes so they produce the right outcomes for all farmers – including those who have been too often ignored such as small, grassland, upland and tenanted farms.

We will protect farmers from being undercut in trade deals, make the supply chain work more fairly, prevent shock rises in bills by switching on GB Energy and use the government’s purchasing power to back British produce.

New guidance and updates to the Find funding for land or farms tool will be fully available by the end of the day (Monday 5 August).

August 21, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Update to Lebanon travel advice – FCDO statement [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 August 2024.

Lebanon travel advice has been updated to reflect the fact that dependants of British Embassy Beirut staff have been temporarily withdrawn.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson, said:

We are deeply concerned with the highly volatile security situation in Lebanon. The safety of British nationals is our top priority, which is why we have deployed additional consular officials, Border Force and UK military personnel to the region.

We have also temporarily withdrawn the families of officials working at the British Embassy Beirut. The embassy continues to provide support to British nationals. The situation will continue to be monitored closely.

All British nationals should leave Lebanon now, while commercial routes are still available.

August 21, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Situation in the Middle East – G7 foreign ministers’ statement [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 August 2024.

Statement by G7 foreign ministers and the High Representative of the EU:

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the EU, express our deep concern at the heightened level of tension in the Middle East which threatens to ignite a broader conflict in the region.

We urge all involved parties once again to refrain from perpetuating the current destructive cycle of retaliatory violence, to lower tensions and engage constructively toward de-escalation. No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East.

August 20, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Britain set for growth with International Investment Summit [August 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 3 August 2024.

The government has announced the date of the International Investment Summit as it drives forward national mission for growth.
- UK will host major International Investment Summit on 14 October 2024 as it drives forward national mission for growth.
- Prime Minister to bring together up to 300 industry leaders to catalyse investment in the UK.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will confirm UK is open for business.
The UK will host a major International Investment Summit on 14 October 2024, advancing opportunities for investment and growth across the country.

Economic growth is the government’s top priority, and investment is one of the key pillars of the Chancellor’s growth strategy. The summit will make clear that the UK is “open for business” as the government resets relations with trading partners around the globe and creates a pro-business environment that supports innovation and high-quality jobs at home.

October’s summit will be a celebration of modern Britain and will allow global business leaders to hear directly from the PM and Cabinet ministers on how this government will drive future investment.

It comes as business confidence jumped in July to the highest level shown for eight years. Just last week, leading savings and retirement firm Phoenix Group, and global investment manager Schroders announced they will launch a new private markets investment manager, deploying up to £2.5 billion over three years with an initial commitment of £1 billion – further evidence of investor confidence in the UK.

The UK is also Europe’s leading tech ecosystem, with the highest number of ‘unicorn’ companies in Europe and venture capital investment worth £860 million in 2023 to 2024. This strong economic landscape, with clear growth potential for new technologies, makes the UK an attractive location for investors.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

Long-term, sustainable and inclusive economic growth is this government’s central mission. That’s why we’re taking immediate steps to increase investment right across the UK, support local skilled jobs and raise living standards in all our communities. Whether it is new film studios, cutting-edge technologies, or green energy, it is clear every part of the UK has the potential to benefit from private sector investment.

The summit is an opportunity to meaningfully engage with the world’s leading businesses and investors, and to continue to build long-term relationships that will drive investment into the UK in the months and years ahead.

The chaos of the last 14 years is no more. Britain is open for business, and we are the investment destination of choice.

Reynolds is also expected to set out to investors that a new level-headed approach on the world stage not only shows how the UK is a mature trading partner but will allow UK businesses to plan for sustained investment and economic growth over the next decade.

As the Chancellor outlined in a speech last month, Treasury analysis shows that had the UK economy grown at the average rate of other OECD economies over the last 13 years, it would have been over £140 billion larger.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

Growth built on stability, investment and reform is our number one priority and we have moved at speed to fix the foundations of our economy.

In just one month we have launched a National Wealth Fund to catalyse investment in our world-leading green and growth industries, ended the ill-advised ban on onshore wind and reformed a planning system that has frustrated investors for so long.

We are not resting on our laurels as work continues to rebuild Britain. October’s International Investment Summit will showcase Britain is back as a stable place to do business, helping to secure the private investment needed to make every part of our country better off.

The National Wealth Fund will simplify the UK’s fragmented landscape of support for businesses and investors and make transformative investments across the UK.

The summit is a key milestone in the government’s growth mission and will underpin a modern Industrial Strategy. It builds on the UK’s ambition to maintain the highest sustained growth in the G7, working in partnership with the private sector to get the very best out of British industries.

Coming two weeks ahead of the budget, it will build on the UK’s strong reputation as a global trading centre, and ensure investment is at the heart of the UK’s economic vision.
August 20, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with senior ministers [August 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 August 2024.

This afternoon the Prime Minister convened senior Ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Justice Secretary and the Policing Minister to discuss the incidents of public disorder and unrest we have seen in towns and cities in recent days.

The Prime Minister began by thanking the police who responded to the violence committed by a small minority of thugs in Sunderland last night which injured four officers. Addressing the scenes of disorder we have seen today, the Prime Minister set out that the police have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities.

The Home Secretary updated on the ongoing police response to outbreaks of disorder. She said we will work with them to ensure there are consequences, arrests and prosecutions for those responsible. The Justice Secretary added that already offenders who have committed violence over the last few days have been remanded in custody and the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible.

The Deputy Prime Minister said we are working with local authorities to ensure members of the community who have been targeted by thuggish extremists have the support they need.

The Prime Minister ended by saying the right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things. He said there is no excuse for violence of any kind and reiterated that the government backs the police to take all necessary action to keep our streets safe.

August 20, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer sets out support package for Southport [August 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 August 2024.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with local leaders in Southport today to confirm a package of support for the local community, following the appalling killings and violent disorder that rocked the area earlier this week.

The package will equip local leaders and agencies so that the right support is in place for victims, ensure the needs of bereaved families are at the heart of the response, and drive longer term efforts to bring the community together.

During his visit to Southport the prime minister took part in a meeting with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy and other leaders drawn from local policing, faith groups, healthcare providers and voluntary and education sectors, where they discussed next steps and the importance of working together to help Southport recover from these horrific events. The Prime Minister also travelled to Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool to thank staff for their hard work and enduring professionalism.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

As a nation, we stand with those who tragically have lost loved ones in the heinous attack in Southport, which ripped through the very fabric of this community and left us all in shock.

It is truly inspiring to hear of all the ways in which people have come together in the face of such horrors to demonstrate true bravery, resilience and solidarity.

I cannot begin to imagine the pain that people are going through right now, but I am determined to make sure that Southport and its leaders have all the support they need to preserve and nurture this strength of community spirit – not just in the immediate aftermath, but also in the years to come.

Government and local partners are working together to coordinate a comprehensive multi-agency support offer for bereaved families and all those affected across Southport – this could include access to vital mental health and psychological services; effective communication with those affected; and a programme of engagement with the community on how to best recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the horrific events.

In order to support the long term recovery of the area, government will work with local partners on new ways to equip local leaders to help bolster community cohesion and build local resilience, including by setting up a programme of local community events and activities to help bring people together and create long lasting support networks drawing from local schools, businesses, faith groups, sports clubs and other key partners.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

The horrendous events of Tuesday have caused untold shock and horror across the whole country but has left Southport struggling to come to terms with such a tragedy on its doorstep.

Once the glare of the national media has moved on, it leaves behind a community that needs to come together and rebuild. This is a tight knit area and we have already seen that inclusivity and community on full display in the town’s response to the mindless violence on Tuesday night.

It will not happen overnight, but we are determined to restore trust, build on that remarkable resilience – and, above all, ensure that Bebe, Elsie and Alice, and the victims and those traumatised, are never forgotten.

On behalf of the Liverpool City Region, I’d like to thank the Prime Minister for the personal commitment he has given to supporting Southport through this extraordinarily difficult time.

The package will also help support local leaders’ efforts to honour the memory of those tragically killed or injured, working with schools and others affected to commemorate them in line with the local community’s wishes.

It comes alongside extensive care delivered through the NHS for anyone affected by the terrible incidents, including specialist psychological and bereavement support services tailored to individuals’ needs and access to 24/7 crisis support. Local hospitals and healthcare services delivering support to victims, bereaved families and other people affected are also being provided with advice in order to make sure staff are best equipped to give people the help and expert care they need.

Today’s measures follow wider efforts by government to prevent further violence and unrest on our streets through a new National Violent Disorder Programme. This will bring together expert policing capabilities from across the country, drive better intelligence sharing and deploy innovative technologies more effectively to stamp out criminal behaviour and bring those responsible for violence to justice.

Government will continue to work closely with community leaders over the weeks and months ahead to ensure people, businesses and the local economy all receive ongoing support in order to drive recovery and local growth, including sustaining Southport’s thriving tourism sector and cultural attractions.

August 20, 2024