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  • Andrea Leadsom – 2015 Speech to Iraqi Petroleum Conference

    Andrea Leadsom
    Andrea Leadsom

    Below is the text of the speech made by Andrea Leadsom, the Minister of State at the Department for Energy and Climate Change, on 9 June 2015.

    Welcome

    I am delighted to be here today for my first public engagement since being appointed as UK Energy Minister. It has been a steep learning curve over the last couple of weeks, but my previous role as City Minister, as well as spending 25 years in finance prior to becoming an MP, will stand me in good stead. I can certainly tell you now that a key priority for UK Government, and my personal priority as Energy Minister, is energy security: keeping the lights on and the bills down for todays’ consumers, their children and their grandchildren.

    In an increasingly interdependent world, energy security cannot be a wholly domestic issue. Only with strong and stable energy partners across the world can we achieve secure access to energy, a well-functioning energy market and stability to plan for the future. Recent events in Russia and Ukraine have made this clearer than ever.

    Iraq is a key partner, which is why I am pleased to be addressing this prestigious event so early in my new job. In my address I would like to set out how I think we can work together as partners to archive our shared goals of energy security and prosperity and highlight the role that British businesses can play in supporting these efforts.

    So first, Iraq’s Energy Potential.

    The IEA estimates that global oil demand will grow by 14 million barrels a day to reach a total of 104 million barrels a day by 2040. Iraq –a country of immense resource wealth – has the potential to meet a significant proportion of that growth, in fact the highest proportion of any other country by 2040. Because of this huge potential Iraq remains strategically, economically and practically at the centre of any conversation we have about global energy security.

    This makes it more vital than ever that we continue to focus on investment and the future health of Iraq’s energy sector which will help to deliver prosperity for Iraq as a whole. It is great news that Iraqi oil exports have recovered and continue to increase month on month. We will all benefit from this rise in production.

    And second, what can British business do?

    The UK is highly ambitious – we want to be Iraq’s “partner of choice”, we are committed to working with you to make this happen.

    Our biggest energy companies have already committed billions of dollars to Iraq, both in terms of investment and in the provision of technical expertise.

    For example BP is running one of the world’s largest fields in southern Iraq and have goals to increase this even further and triple production. Shell has recently signed a Heads of Agreement to build an $11bn petrochemical plant in Basra, which will be one of the largest in the world and will generate around 40,000 to 50,000 jobs and will contribute significantly to Iraq’s economic recovery, as well as supporting sustainable and inclusive growth.

    Many other British companies also operate across Iraq in all parts of the energy sector, from production to engineering and the supporting supply chains. They have been at the front of technological expertise and advancements and exploring new methods of best practice, continuing to help strengthen Iraq’s energy sector. For example last year Shell and Petronas were able to start production at Majnoon. As well as increasing production to a target of 1.8million barrels of oil a day by 2017, it has begun the vital process of capturing flared gas, as has the Joint Venture at Basra between Iraq’s South Gas Company, Shell and Mitsubishi Corporation. As you will know flaring is a great waste of resource and money, and causes great damage to the environment. This technology can address this, allowing Iraq to make the most of its energy reserves, diverting the gas for local power generation and export.

    The UK Government is very keen to support more British involvement in Iraq’s oil and gas industry. To do this UK Trade and Investment have a programme of strategic engagement in place with BP, Shell and the leading engineering, procurement and construction contractors to help smaller UK companies make the most of the opportunities available and provide the skills and services Iraq needs. For example we have run a “share fair” with BP to introduce more UK companies to the procurement chain associated with the Rumaila project.

    We are also helping smaller companies engage with the larger players in the market. For example, with our industry partners the Energy Industries Council, we sponsored two delegations of UK Small and Medium Enterprises at the Basra Oil and Gas show. I was delighted to hear that as a consequence of our engagement with BP in Iraq, Severn Glocon of Gloucester has been working in country for 2 years from their Basra based engineering support facility. This is great news – and we want to see more of the same.

    I am proud of the role that British businesses are playing and commend the contribution of all our firms involved. So to reiterate, my aim is for the UK to be Iraq’s primary partner of choice in energy.

    Third, how can Iraq encourage further investment?

    Well the importance of international investment into Iraq, both for Iraq as well as for our own energy security, is clear. As we all know strong leadership, vision and cooperation between all parties in the energy sector will create the right commercial environment for investment. The rule of law and strong independent institutions are a key part of this. In Iraq, lower oil prices in particular have highlighted some weaknesses in economic institutions. Tackling these, along with some of the political divisions that risk undermining Iraq’s energy potential, is of great importance. This will give international companies the confidence that their commitments will be honoured and their investments protected and will attract more international companies to invest in Iraq.

    The UK is a firm believer that good governance also ensures that a country’s energy resources benefit its entire people, both today and in the future.

    Good governance includes a strong partnership between the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government. We welcomed the budget allocations and energy export deal in December which laid the foundation for increased cooperation. We underscore the importance of both parties continuing to work together, as they have been over recent months, to ensure this deal is allowed to succeed.

    Fourth, diversification will be important for Iraq.

    Iraq’s energy potential is the foundation for a brighter future for the country. A prosperous energy sector will support economic development throughout the country. Revenues from the energy sector could be used for Iraq’s broader development – for example investment in infrastructure, improved services for the Iraqi people, education and healthcare. All parts of the country and population could benefit from the investment and prosperity. In turn, Iraq’s economic development will be vital for its political future and stability.

    In spite of the opportunities that a prosperous energy sector can deliver, the recent fall in oil prices has also demonstrated the vulnerability to market fluctuations when relying too heavily on energy products. Financial discipline is key to weathering the storm of low prices, which I know, has hit Iraq hard. But, longer-term, Iraq will want to consider taking steps towards greater economic diversification. This is fundamental to achieving a prosperous and robust economy and ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth.

    Finally security remains a key issue.

    The UK plans to continue our support as Iraq takes these transformational steps. Tackling Iraq’s challenges, from the fall in oil prices to regional events, is important to us all.

    This is especially true when it comes to tackling the threat which ISIL poses. Together, we face a common enemy of violent Islamic extremists. Only through support and partnership can responses to this threat be effective and inclusive.

    The UK is committed to continue to stand by the people of Iraq, the government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government in their fight against terrorism and protecting civilians from ISIL’s murderous campaign. The UK airstrikes and other military support show that the UK plays its part in standing against ISIL, but we recognise that this is a generational fight and it will take time and patience.

    We continue to support the Iraqi-led government response to ISIL as part of a global coalition of more than 60 countries. As part of the Global Coalition nearly 800 UK personnel are deployed on operations in the region; helping Iraqis to strengthen and mobilise against ISIL, providing counter- IED training and airstrike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. We continue to reaffirm our commitment to unity in tackling ISIL and seek to build on the successful Paris meeting last week. I know that our Ambassador to Iraq, Frank Baker, will speak further on these issues later today.

    So in conclusion.

    Fulfilling Iraq’s energy potential is a priority for the whole of Iraq for the UK and for British companies and more broadly for global energy security. As a friend to all of Iraq, the UK stands ready to provide support and cooperation. We are dedicated to working with all parties in tackling the ISIL threat; this is a priority and a strong unified response set on solid economic foundations will prove most effective. Iraq’s significant energy resources have the potential to drive future stability and prosperity, creating jobs and raising living standards for the Iraqi people and I am confident that Iraq will continue to be a great and responsible energy producer, with benefits for all Iraqis. Unity and cooperation is fundamental to realising these goals so let us work together to guarantee prosperity, stability and energy security for us all.

    Thank you for your attention.

  • Amber Rudd – 2015 Speech to RenewablesUK Offshore Wind Conference

    amberrudd

    Below is the text of the speech made by Amber Rudd, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, on 24 June 2015.

    Introduction

    Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to start by taking you back 15 years to the year 2000, the first year of the new millennium.

    It was the year the Spice Girls broke up. The year Chris Evans stopped making TFI Friday. It was the year we partied to see in the millennium.

    But what is the significance of this milestone year for us today?

    The offshore wind success story

    Well it’s this.

    At the turn of the century, do you know how much UK electricity offshore wind was providing?

    None. None what so ever.

    Then, at the end of 2000, off the coast of Northumberland, the Blyth pilot project got up and running.

    The UK’s first offshore wind farm. With just two turbines, the largest turbines in the world at the time, producing just 4MW of electricity.

    And from small seeds, orchards grow.

    The last 15 years has seen a phenomenal growth in British offshore wind.

    By the end of this year we are expecting 30 offshore wind farm developments to be contributing to Britain’s energy security.

    Almost 1,500 turbines with the capacity to provide over 5GW of home produced, clean electricity – enough to power the equivalent of almost 4 million homes.

    In the last 5 years alone, the amount of electricity being produced from offshore wind has more than quadrupled.

    In the same period we have seen around £10bn of private sector investment.

    And the industry now supports around 14,000 jobs.

    So you represent one of the 21st century industrial success stories.

    You – we – are world leaders.

    Pioneers. Innovators. The best business minds working with the best engineers, within one of the world’s strongest policy and financial frameworks.

    And working together we now have the most operational offshore wind here in UK waters than anywhere else in the world.

    And that is where 21st century industrial Britain should be – leading the world.

    As our friends over at the Department for Business would say – Britain is Great.

    So today I want to talk about how we build on that success.

    First – deployment and investment – keeping up the pace we have set to maintain our world leading status.

    Second – costs – bringing them down so offshore wind becomes more and more competitive, requiring less and less public support, so the future is sustainable and subsidy free.

    And third – economic benefit – making sure that this success delivers economic benefits throughout the UK – into local host communities, through the supply chain to the wider country.

    But first, let me remind you all why we are doing all this.

    Energy security, global security

    Britain is upgrading its energy infrastructure.

    To replace power stations reaching the end of their natural lives and to replace them with a more diverse, more secure, lower carbon mix.

    The aim is to keep the lights on, and decarbonise on the most cost effective trajectory possible, supporting a diverse mix of low carbon energy.

    Keeping the lights on is non-negotiable. Our modern technological society cannot function without power. And a diverse mix provides the most resilient system.

    Tackling climate change is also non-negotiable.

    The very things that make the British Isles the right place to exploit offshore renewables; makes us vulnerable to climate change too.

    Surrounded on all sides by the sea, with an advanced, open, trade-based economy.

    The physical manifestations of climate change in the future – such as increased flooding – and the economic manifestations – such as resource shortages, and trade wars – both will hit us and hit us increasingly hard if we don’t limit climate change.

    Going for clean energy isn’t fluffy or indulgent: it makes cold, hard economic sense.

    And it makes cold hard business sense: clean energy is a boom market – bringing jobs and investment and growth.

    But it won’t make economic sense if we break the bank doing it – or lose the support of the public.

    That is why it is imperative we control the costs of decarbonisation and limit the impact on people’s bills.

    Decarbonisation must be affordable, sensitive to the impact it has on people’s pockets, sensitive to wider economic circumstances, and sensitive to the local communities where infrastructure is built.

    We have a long term plan, underpinned by carbon budgets, to meet our responsibilities. It’s all set out in the Climate Change Act.

    And this Government is committed to helping see it through.

    We have a plan for Electricity Market Reform, set under the last Government, that will help the cost effective decarbonisation of the power sector, attracting the private sector investment we need.

    That is of course underpinned by the Levy Control Framework that trebled the support available for low-carbon technology.

    That pot is supporting a mixture of low-carbon technologies because both decarbonisation and energy security is best achieved through a diverse energy mix – not over-reliance on one technology or source.

    And the EMR delivery plan sets out what we expect that mix to include by 2020 to meet our objective of generating 30% of electricity from renewables.

    We already have enough onshore wind in the pipeline to hit the middle of the range we need for that technology.

    Without action we are likely to deploy beyond this range.

    We could end up with more onshore wind projects than we can afford, which would lead to either higher bills for consumers, or other renewable technologies, such as offshore wind, losing out on support.

    We need to continue investing in less mature technologies so that they realise their promise, just as onshore wind has done.

    It is therefore appropriate to curtail further subsidised deployment of onshore wind, balancing the interests of onshore developers with those of bill payers, and developers of other technologies.

    So what is the plan for the future deployment of offshore wind?

    Deployment and investment

    The EMR Delivery plan set out a range of 8-15GW reflecting technology and cost uncertainties at the time of publication.

    We expect to see around 10GW by 2020, much more than any country in the world.

    And we are achieving real progress towards that.

    Just last week we saw the opening of Gwynt-y-Mor, the second largest operating offshore wind farm in the world.

    A £2bn project built by RWE, with the capacity to produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of around 400,000 homes.

    Vattenfall’s Kentish Flats Extension will deliver an extra 15 turbines, capable of generating enough electricity to power the equivalent of 35,000 homes.

    And DONG’s Westermost Rough also opens next week, the first windfarm anywhere to use the next generation 6MW turbine on a large scale.

    The UK already has over 5GW operational.

    Over 4GW has already secured support through Contracts for Difference.

    And there is a strong pipeline for possible future projects.

    All this means I am confident that we will double installed capacity in the next 5 years.

    I know that for the sector to grow, developers and supply chain and investors need as much predictability as possible.

    That is why Contracts for Difference were introduced.

    The last CfD auction round was a great success for offshore wind with – East Anglia ONE and Neart na Gaoithe both securing contracts.

    As you would expect, I am considering plans for the next CFD round and will set those out in due course.

    I am determined that our low-carbon future remains on a stable long-term footing and therefore I am determined to ensure that the financial support is sustainable before proceeding.

    Let us be clear. You and I know there is no bottomless pit of bill payer support for low carbon.

    We have a responsibility to keep costs to consumers down.

    Because only by keeping costs down will we maintain public support for the action we are taking to bring down carbon emissions and combat climate change.

    And that means two things:

    First, Government support must help technologies eventually stand on their own two feet, not to encourage a permanent reliance on subsidy. Cost must come down, subsidies must be progressively reduced.

    Second, the public, and particularly host communities, must see the benefits of the moral and financial support they are providing the industry.

    This means that the commitments being made, on community benefits and on UK jobs and UK content in supply chain plans, must be met.

    Cost reduction

    Our decision to proceed with a major expansion of offshore wind in this decade is based on a strategy of investing early in emerging low carbon technologies where the UK has real potential.

    But these levels of subsidy cannot be sustained indefinitely, particularly if we foresee further deployment in the 2020s.

    It is provided now explicitly in order to enable industry to drive down costs, invest and innovate so that offshore wind is well positioned to expand in the 2020s and beyond.

    That expansion must be on the basis of rapidly reducing costs.

    I am very pleased that the industry has been straining every sinew to meet this challenge.

    The Cost Reduction Monitoring Framework shows that costs have already fallen by over 10% since 2011, and more quickly than expected.

    Reaching £100 per megawatt hour is definitely achievable in the near future.

    Every pound saved puts offshore wind in a strong position to contribute even further to our decarbonisation objectives in the next decade.

    And every pound that is spent within the UK economy – creating jobs, strengthening the supply chain – provides added incentive for the Government and the public to back offshore wind.

    Economic benefit

    Home grown capacity is growing.

    Siemens blade factory in Hull, 1000 jobs.

    Mitsubishi Vestas Offshore Wind blade factory on the Isle of Wight, 200 jobs

    Offshore Structures (Britain)’s foundations factory in Teesside, up to 350 jobs.

    These are real and positive signs of an industry maturing and delivering real benefits to UK communities – regenerating, rejuvenating, reskilling.

    Just after I have finished my speech I understand that Dong Energy will be signing an agreement with JDR Cable Systems for inter array cable supply.

    I am not the first Secretary of State to celebrate in JDR winning a contract, but I am delighted they continue to be a successful example of the quality and cost which UK based companies can deliver.

    And we want to see this development of the UK manufacturing base continue. In particular, we want to see investment into priority areas like towers, jackets and cables.

    We have high expectations for the delivery of UK content targets in supply chain plans.

    I welcome Scottish Power Renewables’ intention to deliver at least 50% UK content for their East Anglia ONE project.

    And as the UK industry develops, the opportunity to export goods and skills grows too.

    In 2013/14, the UK Government supported less than a million pounds worth of UK exports in offshore wind.

    Last year that had leapt to £90m.

    The UK may be the No.1 country for offshore wind deployment, but we are not alone in this journey.

    Overseas markets are becoming increasingly attractive.

    Experienced British companies are highly sought after.

    Outside the UK, over 15GW of offshore wind projects are likely to be operating in Europe by 2020.

    This represents a huge commercial opportunity on our doorstep.

    £40bn in component supply and construction contracts will be made available through competitive tender procedures.

    My Department and I are determined to back you.

    And our colleagues at UKTI are geared up to help UK companies bid successfully. So I urge UK companies to check out their new ‘Passport to Europe’ guide so you can access the Government support available to help you export successfully.

    And the opportunity is not just European, it is global.

    The Chinese market is potentially huge.

    Last year the Government supported £12m in offshore wind exports to China.

    And we expect that to grow significantly.

    Conclusion

    So ladies and gentlemen, this is the challenge.

    To maintain the UK’s leading position.

    To reduce costs so support can go further, and offshore wind can begin to compete on a more level playing field, cementing its long-term future in the energy mix.

    To spread the economic benefits ashore through the supply chain, continuing to build home-grown capability and resource.

    And to project this success outward into the growing global market.

    Offshore wind is a significant economic opportunity for the UK.

    But it is also an essential part of our plans for delivering energy security and decarbonisation.

    And as we approach the climate change talks in Paris later this year, thanks to you, the UK’s offshore wind success will be a feather I can wear proudly in my cap.

  • Andrew Jones – 2015 Speech on Formula E

    andrewjones

    Below is the text of the speech made by Andrew Jones, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, at the LowCVP Annual Conference  held on 24 June 2015.

    Introduction

    Thank you for that introduction.

    And good morning everyone.

    It’s a real pleasure to join you today (24 June 2015).

    And to have this opportunity to address such an expert and distinguished audience.

    As both a local councillor in Harrogate, and as an MP, I’ve been a keen advocate for renewable energy and green growth.

    So I was delighted to take on the environmental brief at the Department for Transport following the recent general election.

    And it’s fitting that my first keynote speech on the subject should be here, today.

    Because the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership has done so much to further the cause of green motoring.

    And I know this conference has always provided an excellent forum for debate and discussion.

    Thriving UK Industry

    I’m fortunate to take on this job at a time of optimism and growth within the industry.

    Just as Britain is thriving again, so is the British motor industry.

    And never have customers enjoyed such energy-efficient products.

    It is thanks to the billions invested by car-makers in greener technologies that last year, average UK new car CO2 emissions fell to a record low: down by nearly a quarter since 2007.

    But although mainstream models have been selling well, the fastest growth is in the ultra low carbon sector.

    So far this year sales of cars eligible for the Plug-in Car Grant have grown more than threefold, while pure-electric car sales have almost doubled.

    That’s a fantastic achievement.

    It’s testament to the work of organisations like the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, and Go Ultra Low.

    And also to the relationship between government and industry that’s been nurtured over many years.

    Showrooms are also doing brisk business with hybrid vehicles.

    So far this year, diesel-electric hybrid sales are up nearly 37%.

    When people see how far the industry has come in recent years, I think they are starting to appreciate that our ultimate objective, which is to effectively make every car on the road ultra low emission by 2050, is entirely achievable.

    There are now 26 models eligible for the plug-in car grant – from luxury cars to city vehicles.

    And that choice is only going to increase as demand for clean vehicles grows.

    We are continuing the plug-in car grant with over £200 million during the current parliament.

    Thousands of people – and many fleets – are discovering that owning an ultra-low emission vehicle no longer requires fundamental compromise.

    Whether it’s on convenience, driving experience, or affordability.

    And the government is not just talking about this.

    We’re part of this motoring revolution.

    We’re investing £5 million to add 140 ULEV vehicles to departmental fleets.

    And lots more ultra low vehicles are being used by other public sector fleets.

    Speaking as someone who drove my first electric car just last weekend – a Nissan Leaf built in Sunderland – I must say I was amazed at its performance and refinement.

    Nissan has been among the pioneers of low emission motoring in this country.

    But it’s the sheer diversity and capability of our low carbon vehicle sector that really impresses.

    With companies like BMW, Detroit Electric, Geely and Mahindra investing in UK facilities.

    From taxis to supercars, the range of vehicles benefiting from ultra-low technologies is growing all the time.

    Formula E

    So it came as no surprise that Formula E, the global electric racing series, has also found a natural home in this country – at Donnington Park.

    For decades our motorsport industry has been a global leader.

    7 out of 10 Formula 1 teams are based in this country.

    And around 4,000 businesses supply the UK motorsports industry.

    Employing nearly 40,000 people.

    Many of them high skilled engineers.

    The true value of these businesses to the UK economy is huge.

    Because they also develop cutting edge technologies that can then be transferred to the mass market, making everyday motoring safer, more affordable and greener.

    Now Formula E can do the same for production electric vehicles.

    And help us build expertise in areas like aerodynamics, energy storage, and precision machining of components, that will one day make electric cars the clear choice for the majority of drivers.

    On Saturday, the competition comes to Battersea Park in London.

    The climax to the inaugural season.

    Where the first ever Formula E champion will be crowned.

    And we’ll be using the event through the Go Ultra Low campaign to drive home the core messages on the benefits of electric cars.

    And hopefully persuade some of the spectators to try ultra low motoring themselves.

    What we’re doing

    We have a great opportunity here – not just to make the UK one of the world’s leading market for green vehicles – but also one of the world’s leading producers too.

    That’s why, in partnership with industry, we created the Advanced Propulsion Centre.

    And it is why we’re investing £500 million to support ultra-low emission vehicles.

    And help UK businesses develop products for market.

    We’re delivering £125 million for low emission vehicle research and development, match funded by industry.

    We’re working with you on the Go Ultra Low Campaign.

    And we’re developing the infrastructure to support the market further.

    With fast charging at home, on the street, at rail stations, in town centres, car parks.

    And many more locations.

    Take Bristol, for example.

    Already one of this country’s greenest cities.

    By the end of 2015, Bristol will have gained a new network of 100 electric vehicle charging points.

    For the first time it will be possible to hire electric vehicles as part of the Bristol Car Club fleet.

    And we’re providing the city with a million pounds to trial a number of cutting-edge low carbon buses.

    We’re also supporting other schemes to develop low emission buses and trucks.

    But not all modes of transport can be easily electrified in the near future.

    Sustainable biofuels will have an important role to play in the decarbonisation of transport.

    So to encourage innovation we’ve committed £25 million for a competition as part of plans to support up to three demonstration-scale advanced biofuel plants in the UK.

    We expect to announce the winners later this summer.

    I’m grateful to the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership and members of the audience for engaging in the work of the Transport Energy Task Force which examined options for incentivising biofuels to 2020 and beyond.

    The task force’s report puts us in a good place to assess how to meet our greenhouse gas targets in transport.

    Now there’s agreement at EU level on Indirect Land Use Change regarding biofuels, I am keen that we provide policy clarity for the industry on our plans as soon as possible.

    Air Quality

    All these initiatives will help us achieve our fundamental goals of reducing carbon emissions, while keeping the population mobile, and building a flourishing low carbon economy in the UK.

    But having come from local government into central government, I’m aware that big concepts like global warming and climate change can seem remote and distant to people’s everyday lives.

    We talk about saving billions of tons of carbon by making transport greener.

    But frankly, that doesn’t always resonate among communities.

    People are more likely to listen to messages and issues which affect them directly, and have some impact on their daily lives.

    Issues like air quality.

    People listen to news reports about the health effects of pollution.

    Yet all too often the local and global aspects of transport emissions are divorced, when in fact they are closely related.

    Ultra low emission vehicles not only help tackle climate change.

    They make our air cleaner too.

    Cutting levels of particulates and other pollutants.

    Reducing levels of particulate matter could help prevent up to 29,000 premature deaths annually.

    While overall air quality has improved as emissions from heavy industry and transport have become cleaner, we are still failing to meet EU limits for nitrogen oxides.

    Concern over the long term impact of diesel emissions has surfaced in regular media reports recently.

    And it’s unlikely to go away.

    So I want to urge the industry to stress the local air quality benefits of ultra low emission motoring.

    And in doing so spread the message to a wider audience.

    Of course we have to take into consideration the emissions produced by generating the electricity for electric vehicles.

    But still, ultra low emission vehicles have a very positive environmental story to tell.

    Indeed, there are resources on the web which compare the full range of emissions for every car which qualifies for the plug-in car-grant.

    The government is working with the EU to bring forward real world vehicle emission testing.

    Something that will certainly help us communicate the wider environmental message.

    But I would welcome your views on this.

    And how we can identify opportunities for further reducing air pollutants from vehicles.

    While of course continuing our work to drive down carbon emissions.

    Conclusion

    This spirit of partnership and co-operation is at the heart of the progress we’ve made in recent years.

    Kick-starting and developing the ultra low market.

    Launching an ever-growing range of desirable ULEV cars.

    And constructing a charging infrastructure.

    We’re on this journey together.

    So I’d like to thank everyone here who has contributed to that success.

    As for the future, well, this is already a fast moving market.

    And it’s going to move faster.

    Particularly here in the UK, where we have big ambitions to be a global leader.

    And as it does so, the partnership we share will become more important.

    We will have to work even more closely together.

    Business and government, hand in hand.

    To make our economy stronger, and our environment cleaner.

    Yes, it will be a challenge.

    But it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to immensely.

    And it’s a challenge I know we will meet.

    Thank you.

  • Andrea Leadsom – 2015 Speech to the Nuclear Industry Association

    Andrea Leadsom
    Andrea Leadsom

    Below is the text of the speech made by Andrea Leadsom, the Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, at the Park Plaza Hotel in London on 30 June 2015.

    It is a pleasure to address you today at this important Nuclear Industry Association event to showcase the UK’s new nuclear programme; and to have the opportunity to speak to you all – the people who are instrumental in turning that programme into a reality.

    Your industry is key to delivering our vision of the clean, affordable, safe and reliable energy British consumers and businesses need and vital to keeping the lights on in the decades ahead.

    Here in the UK, we face two big challenges – maintaining energy supplies that British businesses and homes can rely on, and keeping people’s bills as low as possible.

    These cannot be treated as separate issues. That is why this Government’s priority is to set out a single, coherent energy policy that gets us to where we need to be – keeping the lights on, powering the economy with cleaner energy, and making sure people pay less for their bills.

    We need to bring more capacity online over the next decade in order to avoid the narrowing of margins that we have seen in recent winters.

    There should be no doubt that this Government is absolutely committed to nuclear power. We see new nuclear power stations as a vital part of the infrastructure investment needed in our electricity sector to ensure our future energy supply.

    So its an exciting time for me to be overseeing the nuclear portfolio within Government.

    Today I want to outline my plan for the future of British nuclear.

    Nuclear energy plays a critical role in the Government’s security of supply and decarbonisation goals. The UK’s nine existing nuclear power plants generate around 20% of our electricity demand. But all bar one of these power stations are expected to shut by 2030.

    Nuclear power is also one the cheaper forms of low carbon electricity, reducing pressures on consumer electricity bills, relative to a low carbon energy mix without new nuclear, while emitting similar levels of CO2 to renewables over the life of the plant.

    So as we set out in our Conservative party manifesto, we are committed to a significant expansion in new nuclear in the UK.

    Government has prepared the way for new nuclear power stations through a package of reforms and regulatory measures that remove barriers to investment and give developers the confidence to take forward projects that will help deliver secure, low carbon and affordable energy. We have also made sure that operators of new nuclear power stations put in place robust plans and finance for managing their waste and decommissioning right from the outset.

    You will no doubt be aware of the recent progress for UK new build.

    The first new nuclear power station in a generation moved an important step closer last year, as the European Commission announced on 8th October 2014 that it has approved the Hinkley Point C State aid case. We are continuing to work together with EDF to finalise the documentation for the Hinkley Point C project. The power station is expected to start generating electricity from 2023.

    In total, industry has set out plans for five new nuclear projects in the UK, for a total of up to 16 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity, providing around 35% of electricity generation. That level of new build could, by 2030, lead to an estimated 40 million tonnes of CO2 emissions savings, gross private investment of £89 billion (2014 prices), and around 35,000 jobs supported at the peak of construction.

    The Government is clear that the UK remains open for business. We welcome high quality investment from overseas. The nuclear programme represents a tremendous opportunity to establish the UK as a key nuclear country, with – importantly – the potential to export our capabilities to other countries: including in decommissioning, an area in which we are already a world leader. These international opportunities offer prospects of developing our domestic supply chain and realising economies of scale. It is also an opportunity to make the UK an attractive partner for international R&D collaboration.

    Small Modular Reactors are an option we are investigating further. These have the potential to drive down the cost of nuclear energy and make financing easier through shorter construction times and lower initial capital investment requirements, in addition to high-value commercial opportunities. However, since SMRs are in the early stages of development, there are no commercially operational examples that can be used to validate this potential. So Government has initiated work to build a greater factual base on SMRs, following the feasibility study of last year.

    The success of our nuclear programme is dependent on three key elements:

    – working in partnership, and I look forward to working with you to further our ambition for a competitive and vibrant world-class UK nuclear industry.

    – the successful delivery of the new nuclear fleet will be a strong domestic workforce and supply chain. The opportunities are huge. For example, Hinkley Point C will inject £16 billion into the economy – with the potential for British firms to get the majority of the work. Government is working closely with the developers to identify further opportunities for the UK supply chain. Also the standing of the Supply Chain Partnership will help engage UK Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SME’s) on some of the opportunities from the new build programmes.

    In order to deliver this ambitious new build programme on time and on budget, a skilled workforce will be essential. The scale of the industry’s new build aspirations, the length of time since the last new build project and the high average age of the existing nuclear workforce mean that it is essential to take action now to prevent skills gaps developing over the course of the new nuclear programme. Government recognises that this is a significant challenge, particularly with the on-going need to maintain and decommission existing nuclear power stations.

    There are a number of Government initiatives in place to help support industry fill the skills gaps such as Degree Level Apprenticeships, “Trailblazers” – an initiative which showcases talent and leadership in the sector to inspire the next generation of skilled nuclear engineers and the National College for Nuclear. Specifically, the National College for Nuclear will work collaboratively with the wider industry, skills bodies and training providers and will utilise international best practice to develop an industry-wide curriculum.

    Turning now to the vital matter of a geological disposal facility. With plans for 16GW of new nuclear capacity in the UK, government is firmly committed to delivering geological disposal as the safest and most secure means of managing our higher-activity waste in the long term. We need a permanent solution following more than 60 years of producing radioactive waste from various sources including electricity generation from nuclear power.

    Taking forward a geological disposal facility will also support new generations of nuclear power stations in the UK by providing a safe way to dispose of the waste they produce.

    My department and our delivery body, Radioactive Waste Management Limited are currently delivering the commitments set out in our 2014 White Paper, including plans to engage the public further on the important issues of community representation and national geological screening over the coming months.

    So in conclusion, I am confident that the key investment decision on Hinkley C will happen soon which will enable construction to start, and I recognise, of course, that the nuclear sector as a whole places enormous importance on reaching this significant milestone.

    And as the new Minister of State for Energy, I want to assure you that I aim to see the UK nuclear industry flourish as a global leader, so that together we can achieve secure, low carbon and affordable energy that will underpin the future success of the UK economy.

  • Andrew Jones – 2015 Speech on Business Mobility

    andrewjones

    Below is the text of the speech made by Andrew Jones, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, at The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders in London on 22 October 2015.

    Introduction

    Thank you.

    I am grateful to everyone for coming today.

    And to the SMMT for hosting this event.

    I want the next 5 years to be remembered as the dawn of the ultra low emission vehicle era.

    The time in which we reach the ULEV popularity tipping point.

    And the signs so far are good.

    Between January and September this year, nearly 21,000 ULEVs were sold in the UK.

    Growth of 140% against last year.

    And sales of plug-in hybrids were up almost 230%.

    The UK is now the fastest growing market for electric vehicles in Europe.

    UK fleets are agents of change

    And best of all, more than two thirds of ultra low emission vehicles bought in the UK were bought by businesses.

    That’s great news.

    Because UK fleets are, and always have been, agents of motoring change.

    Many of the innovations that have made cars greener, safer and more efficient in recent decades were made by manufacturers responding to pioneering fleet managers.

    And today, fleet managers have plenty of choice.

    There are at least 27 different electric or plug-in hybrid cars, and 9 different vans to choose from, from capable city run-arounds and business hatchbacks to SUVs and sports cars, with even more due to the market soon.

    And businesses are choosing them.

    Business sense

    That’s because going ultra low makes business sense.

    The government’s plug-in car grant means that the purchase of an ultra low emission vehicle doesn’t have to cost more than a conventional one.

    The Mitsubishi Outlander Phev is the UK’s best-selling plug-in vehicle, and after the £5,000 grant it is the same price as its diesel equivalent.

    Then there are the ULEV tax breaks and the big savings on servicing and running costs.

    Lex Autolease has proven that driving a BMW i3 for 60,000 miles over 4 years will save nearly £2,800 compared to a non-electric equivalent.

    And for fleets, those savings will multiply.

    A fleet of 10 Nissan LEAFs can save £50,000 over a 4-year operating cycle.

    And by going electric a company car driver can save £6,000 in benefit-in-kind company car tax over a 5 year period.

    Of course, then there are hard-to-quantify – but very real – benefits to corporate image and social responsibility.

    The next level

    This government is grateful to businesses for leading the ULEV charge.

    Our ultimate goal is for virtually every car and van on the road to be zero emission by 2050.

    That’s a challenging target.

    Just as it should be.

    And this government will support businesses so you can continue to be bold in adopting new technology.

    Because when businesses lead the way, manufacturers respond with better range and performance, more charging points and lower costs.

    Government support

    So over the next 5 years, as well as keeping tax low, we are investing £500 million to support the ultra low emission vehicle market.

    We announced in August that we will continue the plug-in vehicle grant at the current levels until at least February 2016.

    And we are expanding the charging infrastructure, too, so the UK now has over 600 rapid charge points, giving the UK the best charging network in Europe and allowing for fast charging at home, on the street, at railway stations, in town centres, service stations and car parks.

    Already, there are thousands more locations where vehicles can be plugged in than there are petrol stations, and the numbers are growing every week.

    The City of Bristol is a great example of how this money is making a difference.

    By the end of 2015, Bristol will have gained a new network of 100 electric vehicle charging points.

    For the first time it will be possible to hire electric vehicles as part of the Bristol Car Club fleet.

    And we have provided the city with a million pounds to trial a number of cutting-edge low carbon buses.

    Public sector fleets

    But if we are entering the era of the ultra low emission vehicle, we need even more fleets to make the change, and in even greater numbers.

    So far, the private sector has been leading the way.

    And now we are going to invest £5 million to support the purchase of ULEVs for public sector fleets.

    The Office of Low Emission Vehicles will support 50 public sector organisations to buy up to 300 ULEV vehicles.

    And today we are also publishing a new business guide to plug-in vehicles, providing all the information a fleet manager might need for the decision to go ultra low.

    Conclusion

    So in conclusion, I can only say – thank you.

    The progress we’ve seen in the ULEV market has been breathtaking.

    The government has lent its support, and British businesses have responded.

    So that today, an unprecedented, irreversible shift is taking place in the automotive market.

    We have arrived at the future of business mobility, and there’s no going back.

    Thank you.

  • Philip Hammond – 2015 Speech on Somali

    philiphammond

    Below is the text of the speech made by Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary, in New York, United States on 9 November 2015.

    It is an honour to follow the Prime Minister of Somalia who is working so hard to rebuild his country. Let me also thank the Secretary-General, and you Ambassador Antonio for all the African Union has done to ensure that the United Nations and African Union are working together to bring peace and prosperity to the people of Somalia.

    Our purpose today is to discuss what more we can do to defeat Al Shabaab and deliver a better future for Somalia. But before we do, I think it is helpful to remind ourselves of the past.

    Just four short years ago, inside Somalia, Al Shabaab controlled major cities, including Kismayo and the capital, Mogadishu. The security environment made trying to run a business a high risk venture, where owners risked their goods, their property and, sometimes, their lives.

    And this affected all of us directly too. In 2010 alone, there were 174 pirate attacks and Somali pirates held 404 hostages.

    Fortunately, there has been much progress.

    Al Shabaab is on the back foot, with AMISOM and the Somali National Army now controlling 80% of Somali territory. And Somalia’s economy is reviving, with GDP growth on the increase and shops and businesses opening at ever increasing rates.

    And off the of shores Somalia, there have been no successful pirate attacks for over 2 years, as the Prime Minister said.

    I am pleased to be able to describe this progress, as the UK has long recognised the need to build enduring peace and security in Somalia.

    Our commitment is clear and we have invested heavily. We are Somalia’s second biggest bilateral donor. We have opened an Embassy in Mogadishu: the only EU member state to do so. And we have strong personal links, with a thriving Somali diaspora in the UK.

    But we must today take time to recognise and pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by the AMISOM and Somali National Army troops on the frontline of this fight.

    And we should pay tribute to the Federal Government of Somalia for the commitment they have demonstrated in helping to steer Somalia towards completion of the federal map and a permanent, sustainable, political settlement.

    I also commend the vital role of the UN. Nick Kay has worked tirelessly since July 2013 as the SRSG to ensure the UN has been at the centre of international coordination and support for Somalia under difficult conditions including the tragic loss of seven UN civilians. We are very grateful to him and his team for everything they have done.

    I am also grateful to UNSOA, the UN’s most direct and tangible contribution to countering terrorism and extremism in the Horn of Africa. The successes of AMISOM and the Somali National Army in combating Al Shabaab would have been impossible without the essential logistical support the Mission provides.

    It is clear that UNSOA has been under-resourced; that it has been operating at the very edge of its capabilities. And so I’m pleased that today, we have all agreed on the importance of putting that right: and I thank you for supporting the Resolution that was put before us today.

    But the challenge for all of us, Somali and non-Somali alike, is to sustain effort and momentum. And to be fully coordinated as we do so.

    On security, that work has started. The President has committed to significant security sector reform and I urge him and his Government to press forward with the implementation of those reforms. The UK will continue to play its part. As our Prime Minister announced here in September, we will deploy UK military logistical, engineering and training expertise to reinforce UNSOS in support of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

    Building security and stability are key, but the foundation on which they rest is political progress. And in 2016 the eyes of the world will be on Somalia. Conducting a credible electoral process in 2016 is critical. Failure to do so would risk undermining the collective effort to defeat Al Shabaab and all that has been achieved so far. It would risk undermining the international community’s support for Somalia. But most importantly, it would undermine the right of the Somali people to hold their leaders to account.

    Ensuring a credible electoral process will allow Somalia to show the world just how much progress has been made since 2012. It will quieten the remaining sceptical voices who say political renewal can’t be achieved. And it will help in ensuring the international community remains committed to supporting Somalia on the right path: a path towards a more secure, peaceful future.

    The UK remains committed to supporting progress in Somalia. I urge the Council, and other international allies to continue their commitment to Somalia. Unity of purpose and effort will ensure success.

    Over the coming year, our commitment must be shared by all across the political spectrum in Somalia. Personal differences and vested interests must be set aside, for the good of the whole nation. As this Council has set out in Resolution 2232, all key actors and institutions in Somalia, including Parliament, should engage constructively to ensure progress. Only then can we truly say Somalia has turned a corner.

    Thank you.

  • David Cameron – 2015 Speech to HMS Bulwark

    davidcameron

    Below is the text of the speech made by David Cameron, the Prime Minister, to HMS Bulwark in Malta on 11 November 2015.

    Thank you very much indeed. Let me say that in this extraordinary and beautiful harbour, and on this remarkable ship and on Armistice Day, the pleasure and the honour is entirely mine standing in front of you.

    I think it is fitting that we do it on Armistice Day when we think about those that served and fell for our country in causes so that we could live with the freedom we enjoy today. But I really want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for what you’ve done. I well remember that day in April when it was so important to act and act quickly, and the way you responded from moving from Gallipoli to here has been absolutely brilliant. And above all, you should be incredibly proud of the lives that you’ve saved.

    There will be people who will live out extraordinary dreams and lives that wouldn’t have happened, were it not for what you have done in the Mediterranean.

    This is the biggest problem facing Europe today. It’s a movement of people bigger than anything we’ve seen since the Second World War and I think you can be proud of the role that you’ve played, those lives that you’ve saved, those lives you have transformed – over 4,700 people in the last 60 days alone.

    So how are we going to solve this great problem? What role is Britain going to play as a member of the European Union, as we help to tackle this enormous challenge?

    Well the first thing we should do is do what you’ve done and respond with humanity. We are a moral nation, we care about the lives of others. And going on and saving lives and helping people is part of what we should do as a country. You should be incredibly proud of the role that you’ve played in that.

    But saving lives is not going to be enough. We need a real partnership with the countries from which these people are coming. And that is what this summit in Malta today and tomorrow is all about. Bringing together the countries of Africa, the countries of Europe so we can work together.

    And again Britain will play a huge and historic role. Our aid programme means we can get into those countries and help to tackle not just the poverty, but the failures of governance, the corruption, the conflict and all the things that cause people to leave their homes and make this perilous journey.

    But as well as responding with humanity, and with partnership, we also have to respond with resolve. And that is what the next stage of this mission is going to be all about. Because to be frank, it is not enough just to put people up and save their lives. We’ve got to go after the criminal gangs that are loading them into the boats and offering them false hope in the first place. We need to smash those gangs and that is what the next stage of this work is going to be all about.

    It will be difficult work but its absolutely essential and we will give you everything you need to make sure that work gets done properly. In the end, we have to break the link between getting on a boat and getting the chance to come to Europe. As long as that ability to do that is there, the criminal gangs will keep on exploiting people in the way they are today.

    So we know what needs to be done. The humanity of a moral nation. The partnership of a country that acts with others to get things done in the world. And a country that knows that resolution, resolve, is going to be absolutely key in dealing with this.

    And as you do so, as well as being proud of what you’ve done, I hope you will feel very proud of the country that you’re part of. There is no other country, no other major country, in the world that is both meeting its 2% NATO spending commitment and its 0.7% gross national income aid commitment. We are the engaged nation that recognises we need the hard military power that this great ship represents but also the incredibly important soft power of an aid programme that can help us live together and mend these countries from which so many people are coming.

    So that is the promise I make to you. We will go on investing in the military hardware that we need and go on investing in the aid programme that we need to help you, to help us, to solve these great problems that we face in Europe today.

    But above all, I want you as you go home, I hope for a break, at the end of the very hard work you’ve done – you’ve been in high readiness for four years, and you’ve been working round the clock for the last 60 days and more – I think you should be proud of the work you’ve done here in the Mediterranean, above all of the lives that you’ve saved, the futures that you’ve made possible. That is a very great thing for you to consider as you think of the rest of your service in the Royal Navy and our Armed Services.

    Thank you again for the welcome, thank you for your service, it’s an honour to stand with you here in Malta today. Thank you very much.

  • David Cameron – 2015 Press Conference with Indian Prime Minister

    davidcameron

    Below is the text of the press conference between David Cameron, the Prime Minister, and Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, in London on 12 November 2015.

    Thank you everyone; good afternoon. It’s a huge pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Modi to London today on this, his first visit to the United Kingdom since taking office. It is the first of an Indian Prime Minister in almost a decade, and it’s a real opportunity to open a new chapter in the relationship between our 2 countries.

    I believe we are already natural partners, as the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy, we share so many of the same values. And the ties between our people bind us together, with 1.5 million people of Indian origin living here in the UK, the second largest Indian diaspora anywhere in the world.

    Yet I do not believe that we’re realising the true potential of this relationship. And that is what Prime Minister Modi and I want to change. We want to forge a more ambitious, modern partnership, harnessing our strengths and working together for the long term to help shape our fortunes at home and abroad in the 21st century. As leaders, we share similar priorities to create jobs and opportunities for all, to protect our people from terrorism, and to tackle global challenges like climate change.

    And it makes sense to work together on these issues. So today we’ve discussed how to build a stronger economic partnership, a stronger defence partnership, and a stronger global partnership. And let me say a word about each.

    First, our economic partnership. Britain is the biggest major investor in India, bigger than the USA. British businesses already support nearly 700,000 jobs in India, and India invests more into the UK than it does in the rest of the European Union combined, creating almost 8,000 new jobs here last year alone. And during this visit, British and Indian companies are announcing new collaborations, together worth more than £9 billion.

    But I think there’s scope to go much further. Today we’ve discussed Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India, to transform its economy, building 100 smart cities, increasing the skills of 500 million young people, providing around the clock electricity for all; building 10,000km of roads. These are immense projects, and we’ve talked about how Britain can help to transform this vision into a reality. We want to become your number one partner for securing the finance needed for this ambitious plan, making London the world’s centre for offshore rupee trading.

    We’re getting that started with plans already in place today to issue over £1 billion of bonds, right here in London, including the first ever government‑backed rupee‑denominated bond to be issued internationally. We want British companies with their world‑class consulting, project management and engineering skills to help you plan, design and build these new cities. So I am delighted we’ve agreed a new 5‑year partnership to develop 3 cities: Amravati, Indore and Pune. We want UK and Indian scientists to work together to develop the low‑cost, low‑carbon energy that’s vital for the future, and that’s why we’re establishing a new, £10 million joint research collaboration into new technologies. We want our companies to truly make in India, and that’s why we’re re‑invigorating our forum of business leaders who we’ll see tomorrow.

    Second, we’ve agreed to establish a stronger, broader defence and international security partnership. All countries have a right to self-defence, and we want to assist India, the world’s largest defence importer, to modernise her capabilities. We’ll establish a new government‑to‑government framework to help make this happen. This will also mean increasing co-operation on new technologies and new capabilities, like cyber, like our aircraft carriers too.

    We’ll deploy a Royal Navy warship to the Bay of Bengal next February to take part in India’s first major international gathering of warships for a number of years. And we’ll work together to better protect ourselves from new and emerging threats, such as cyber‑attacks, with the UK helping to establish a new centre to train 1 million India cyber‑security professionals and offering assistance to set up a new Indian cyber‑crime unit.

    Finally, as global powers with a global outlook, we discussed what more we can do to solve the challenges we face. The UK firmly supports permanent membership for India on the United Nations Security Council. International institutions need to reflect the world as it is today, in order to maintain relevance and to support the rules‑based system that benefits us so much.

    Today, we agreed on the vital importance of securing an ambitious global deal in Paris later this year that keeps our goal of limiting global warming by 2050 to 2 degrees, within reach. And we discussed what more we can do to support free trade, in particular by accelerating talks on a free trade deal between the EU and India, which could benefit more than 1.7 billion people and be worth over £15 billion each year to the EU and India combined.

    So we’ve had some excellent discussions here today and I look forward to more this evening and of course tomorrow as well. We both have big ambitions for the relationship between our countries. We want a modern, essential partnership founded on old ties, but defined and fuelled by the modern, diverse, dynamic countries that we are both today.

    Thank you. Prime Minister Modi.

    Narendra Modi

    Mr Prime Minister Cameron, members of the media. Prime Minister Cameron has shown great hope and positivity with regard to the relationship with India. I’d like to thank you for that. You have done a great deal to strengthen this partnership between India and UK. I would like to thank you for your warm welcome and your gracious hospitality, and all the time that you have set aside for me during my visit here. So I’d really like to thank you for your past efforts in strengthening the partnership between our 2 countries.

    I am delighted to visit the United Kingdom. This is a relationship of immense importance to us. We are – the familiarity of history, the extraordinary people‑to‑people ties and our shared values give it a special character. And this has made it possible to give a special character to our relations. We also have vibrant and growing partnerships across all areas, trade and investment, defence and security, science and education, clean energy and health, technology and innovation, art and culture.

    At the international level, we have a broad range of shared interests that are vital to both our countries. Today we have agreed to intensify our political dialogue and hold regular bilateral summits. We have decided to turn our shared values into a partnership to support development in other regions of the world, and alongside we are committed to deepen co-operation across all areas.

    Today, we have signed a civil nuclear agreement. This is a symbol of our mutual trust. And we have also resolved to combat climate change. The global centre for clean energy partnerships in India is one of the areas where we have agreed to co-operate, and this will strengthen safety and security in the global nuclear industry.

    We attach great value to defence and security co-operation with the UK, including joint military exercises, and trade – defence trade and collaboration. And this co-operation will continue to grow. I am gratified to note that in February 2016, UK will participate in the international fleet review in India. UK will also be strong partners in India’s defence modernisation plans, including our make an India mission in the defence sector. And I’m convinced that UK will play an important role in this mission of ours.

    Economic partnership is a key pillar of our partnership. I am convinced that this relationship will grow rapidly in the years ahead, given the size and scale of opportunities in a rapidly expanding India and Britain’s own formidable economic strengths.

    The UK is the third-leading investor in India, and India invests much more in UK than in other European Union countries. In – for greater investment in India, we are launching a new fast-track mechanism. We also welcome the revival of the India-UK CEO Forum. We are – we will also increasingly raise funds in London’s financial market. I am pleased that we will issue a railways rupee bond in London stock market. This is – for this is where the journey of Indian Railways had begun.

    In the next 2 days, I am looking forward to our engagement with the business sector, and we are – we hope to hear significant announcements from this sector. I am pleased with the progress in our co-operation in clean energy and climate change involving our governments and the private sector. This is an area of immense importance, and it offers enormous opportunities.

    Our – with regard to India’s comprehensive and ambitious national plan on climate change, we have a lot of expectations from our bilateral co-operation. We look forward to a concrete outcome in Paris within the framework of the UN Convention on Climate Change, that charts decisive goals for a sustainable and low-carbon future for the world.

    We have also achieved many other tangible outcomes in other areas that are all part of India’s national priorities. These include smart cities, healthcare, clean river initiatives, skills and education. Indeed, we agreed that technology, research and innovation will be strong foundations of our partnership across all areas. Both our nations will be able to create more opportunities for our people and increase their prosperity. And at the same time, we will advance our many shared interests and address our challenges. These include peace and stability in Asia, especially in South Asia and West Asia; maritime security; cyber security; and of course, terrorism and extremism.

    Prime Minister Cameron, I will continue our discussions on these and other issues in Chequers today and tomorrow. But before I conclude, I wish to thank Prime Minister Cameron and the UK for the strong British support for India’s permanent membership of the reformed UN Security Council and membership in the international export control regimes. I look forward to the honour of speaking in Parliament and addressing the India-UK business summit. And I will have, therefore, the opportunity to speak at length about the rich promise of this relationship.

    Today, we have outlined a bold and ambitious vision for our strategic partnership, and the decisions we have taken today reflect our firm commitment to pursue it and the confidence to achieve it. Indeed, the outcomes today have shown that we have already taken our relationship to a new level. Thank you.

    Question

    Prime Minister Cameron, you’ve visited India 3 times since you came to power. Why has it taken so long to get a return visit?

    And Prime Minister Modi, India is becoming an increasingly intolerant place. Why?

    David Cameron

    Let me answer your question. Actually, India is not only the first major country I visited as Prime Minister, it was also the first major country I visited as leader of the opposition, so I have been wanting to see a strengthening of this relationship, not just for the last 5 years, but the last 10 years, and I think we have made some important progress. The figures on investment are very striking, you know, India invest more into Britain then into the whole of the rest of the EU combined, and in terms of G20 countries, Britain is the biggest investor, bigger than America, bigger than France, bigger than Germany, into India. But I think where we agree, is that we shouldn’t rest on our laurels, we should try and raise our sights and look at these projects, like Smart Cities, like Digital India, like Clean India, where we can bring expertise and really forge a partnership. India soon will be the third largest economy in the world, Britain is the fifth largest economy in the world. We have, I think, real potential. As for the time it takes to have a visit, I’m delighted that the Prime Minister is here. We’ve met many times before at G20s, most recently in New York, and we agreed to make this visit an absolute centrepiece of building the stronger relationship, which is what we are doing today. Prime Minister.

    Narendra Modi

    It’s true that there has been a gap of 10 years. Nonetheless, during my term in the past 1 year there have been 11 ministerial visits from India to the UK and from the UK to India. Therefore, the relations between the UK and India is continuing. In fact, I have had the opportunity of discussing at length with Prime Minister twice, and we have all committed to taking our relationship forward. In terms of the questions you have raised, India is a land of [inaudible] – India is the land of Ghandi and therefore there is something that is deeply entrenched in our culture, in our traditions, which is that of not accepting anything that is – that has to do with intolerance. Therefore, if any event takes places, wherever it may occur in India, whether it’s once or twice, in a country of 1.2 billion people, every incident that happens is a serious incident for us, and we do not tolerate such incidents of violence at all. We take strong actions and we will continue to take strong actions and legal actions against such incidents. India is a vibrant democracy which, on the basis of the constitution, protects every citizen, and the values of every citizen in accordance with our constitution, and we’re committed to that.

    Question

    So, my question is to both the Prime Ministers. Sir, both India and the UK are victims of terror from the same terrorist groups. Both our cities are being bombed by the people who are trained from the same sort of terrorism. Both countries lost lives in Afghanistan, the same set of terrorists. In your discussions today sir, did you discuss the shared concerns? And did you agree on some of the co-operation in this field?

    Narendra Modi

    Thank you. As far as terrorism is concerned, your concern is vital for anyone who believes in humanity, and I would like to state that – with satisfaction, that in the United States all the initiatives taken against terrorism, both India and the UK have been standing together shoulder to shoulder, to fight against all sorts of terrorism and we have taken a common stand in the UN.

    Both our countries face extreme threat from terrorism, that is why fighting terrorism is not something that just 1 or 2 or 3 countries can do. This is the responsibility of every human that’s in the world, every humanitarian, every human being. Today, terrorism has spread so far that it has no frontiers. It has no barriers. New groups are born every day. New equipment falls into their hands every day, so terrorists don’t manufacture their own equipment, obviously it comes from somewhere. Mahatma Gandhi used to say that you only get justice when you know what injustice is. So, who do we designate as terrorists? Who helps the terrorists? In fact, there is a proposal in the United Nations on this issue, but unfortunately, it is just hanging without any settlement and the UK and we agree that we need to discuss this at length. That is why all well-meaning nations should work together. All those who help terrorists, in one way or the other, should be fought against and we all should work towards protecting humanity.

    David Cameron

    [Inaudible] today about the terrorist threat that we both face. We’re going to have intensive discussions tomorrow morning on exactly this issue. India has suffered on the streets of Mumbai, for instance. We have suffered on the streets of London, and we have to confront, particularly this Islamist extremist violence and terrorism, which is doing so much damage, not just to our countries but also to the world. The argument I would make is it’s not enough simply to close down terrorist groups and close down ungoverned space which is what our intervention in Afghanistan was about; was to try and make sure that that country was run by a government with the power to keep terrorist groups out of that country. We also need to deal with the narrative that the terrorists use, with the culture of grievance they try to build up to justify unjustified actions, and that, I think will be part of our discussions tomorrow.

    Question

    Thank you Prime Minister. Prime Minister Cameron can I ask you, how comfortable do you feel welcoming Prime Minister Modi to this country, given that for the first 2 years of your premiership he was not permitted to visit this country because of his record as Chief Minister of Gujarat?

    And on Europe, can I ask you, Donald Tusk has just said that unless the European Union strengthens its external borders, there will be no future for Schengen. Do you agree with him?

    And what do you say to Martin Schulz who says that Europe is very happy to spend billions of pounds on bankers helping them, but is pretty miserable when it comes to helping migrants?

    And Prime Minister Modi, can I ask you, in the next 2 years, the United Kingdom will be having a referendum on whether to remain in or leave the European Union. Do you see a future for the United Kingdom outside the European Union? And also Prime Minister Modi, can I ask you, tomorrow night you will obviously have a rapturous reception at Wembley Stadium, but there are a number of protestors out today who are saying, and I’m wondering what you say to them, that given your record as Chief Minister of the State of Gujarat, you do not deserve the respect that would normally be accorded to the leader of the world’s largest democracy? Thank you.

    David Cameron

    Well, lots of questions there. Let me try and answer all of them. I’m pleased to welcome Prime Minister Modi here. He comes with [inaudible] from the people of India who made him Prime Minister with a record and historic majority. As for what happened in the past, there were legal proceedings. There were also, as my colleague, Priti Patel said earlier today, representations from the British government at the time. But we are now discussing the future partnership between Britain and India, both of us backed by our countries for this parliament to work together to strengthen the partnership that we have.

    On the other issues that you raise: the reason for supporting banks in a crisis is not that they are uniquely wonderful things or wonderful people, but simply if you allow banks to collapse, they pull down every other business with them. But that’s why we’ve reformed the system in this country so that if banks get in trouble in future, they are bailed out by their own creditors and not by the taxpayer.

    As for support for migrants, I think Britain can hold its head high up internationally because we have given more than any other European country, indeed more than any other country in the world, apart from the United States of America, to help with the Syrian refugee crisis, supporting the neighbouring countries, supporting people in Syria, and of course supporting the refugee camps. No country apart from America has done more.

    As for what Donald Tusk says about Schengen: Britain is not in Schengen. We have kept our own borders, while being part of the European Union. So, it is not really for me to say, but obviously I want to help my colleagues in Europe deal with this migration crisis. That is why actually we have done more than any other European country to support the European asylum support officers that are helping to deal with this crisis on Schengen’s external borders. And we’ll continue to do that.

    But clearly, you need to have either a system with external borders or a system with internal borders. You can’t have borders that don’t work at either level. But as I say, Britain will remain out of Schengen. We will keep our own borders. We think that’s important for our security.

    I think those were all your questions. Prime Minister.

    Narendra Modi

    I came in 2003 and had been warmly welcomed at that time as well. The UK has never stopped me from coming here. They have never banned me from coming here. Perhaps I could not come because of my own time constraints, so please do correct this wrong perception you may have.

    Secondly, yes, there will be a referendum in the UK after 2 years. I believe that the citizens of this country are very intelligent and wise. I have nothing to say to them, as far as India is concerned. If there is an entry point for us to the European Union, that is the UK and that is Great Britain. And if we have economic co-operation with any country, then the largest economic co-operation is with the UK. Yes, we are going to other European Union countries as well, but we will continue to consider the UK as our entry point into the European Union, as far as possible.

    Question

    My question is: India is facing a lot of changes currently, and you have recently initiated many initiatives. So, Prime Minister, I would like to ask you, given the economic and social situation in India, what kind of co-operation are you expecting from the UK?

    And Mr Prime Minister Cameron, I would like to ask you that India and UK have had historical relations. How would you define them in this new context? And what kind of new steps you will take so that these relations are further strengthened?

    Narendra Modi

    The direction that India wants to take in its future progress, for instance, let me give you an example. We have very high [inaudible] density in India. About 27,000 to 28,000 towers are standing tall, and they all use diesel, and we have to import diesel. That is not something that is very good for the climate, as you know. And UK has developed a hydrogen fuel cell technology. We wish to – that UK would make this technology available to the – to India, so that we can use it to power these towers, which will increase the number to 40,000. So on the one hand, we’ll be able to stop using diesel, we will contribute to reducing our carbon footprint, and therefore impact the climate. And if you look at coal, we have to try and figure out how we can bring about coal gasification using green energy, skill development. UK has done extraordinary work in terms of skill development. In the health sector as well, UK has worked in building a very good health system, hospital system.

    So we have discussed all these different issues, and we have also seen how even the poorest person in India can benefit from all this. And my visit to UK this time would – enables me to say how we can move forward and how we will be moving forward together.

    David Cameron

    That’s what we’ve been talking about. I think it’s probably true that for years, the relationship between Britain and India was in some way imprisoned by the past. I think sometimes in recent years, it’s been imprisoned by misconceptions that trade with India is simply about outsourcing. Look at the relationship today. If someone had told you 20 years ago one of the most successful car manufacturers in Britain expanding and selling all over the world would be a combination of Indian capital and British design and manufacturing expertise, people would say, ‘Really, is that going to happen?’ Well, that’s what Jaguar Land Rover, just one example, is all about.

    So I think it’s time to set this relationship free from those misconceptions and from the past, and recognise that this is a modern, dynamic partnership of 2 countries who face similar challenges: how do we get growth and prosperity, how do we combat terrorism, how do we ensure a green environment for our future and our children? Those are the things that we’re now talking about, and I think the excitement is that with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of smart cities, of clean India, of digital technology, of skilling up tens of millions of young people in India, there are huge opportunities for Britain to play a part in building that future together, and that’s why we are so, I think, excited today to be signing so many different agreements across such a wide range of areas, demonstrating this is a truly modern and dynamic partnership.

    With that, we have a packed timetable – 2 speeches this afternoon, including the first to Parliament – and we must go and make the most of that. But thank you very much.

  • David Cameron – 2015 Statement on Syria

    davidcameron

    Below is the text of the statement made by David Cameron, the Prime Minister, at Downing Street, London on 13 November 2015.

    Good morning. Last night, the United States carried out an air strike in Raqqa, Syria, targeting Mohammed Emwazi – the ISIL executioner known as Jihadi John.

    We cannot yet be certain if the strike was successful.

    But let me be clear. I have always said that we would do whatever was necessary, whatever it took, to track down Emwazi and stop him taking the lives of others.

    We have been working, with the United States, literally around the clock to track him down. This was a combined effort. And the contribution of both our countries was essential.

    Emwazi is a barbaric murderer. He was shown in those sickening videos of the beheadings of British aid workers. He posed an ongoing and serious threat to innocent civilians not only in Syria, but around the world, and in the United Kingdom too.

    He was ISIL’s lead executioner, and let us never forget that he killed many, many, Muslims too. And he was intent on murdering many more people.

    So this was an act of self-defence. It was the right thing to do.

    Today I want to thank the United States: the United Kingdom has no better friend or ally.

    And I want to pay tribute to all those professionals in our own security and intelligence agencies and armed forces for the extraordinary work they do on behalf of our country. On this, as so often, they’ve been working hand in glove with their American colleagues. We are proud of them.

    If this strike was successful, and we still await confirmation of that, it will be a strike at the heart of ISIL. And it will demonstrate to those who would do Britain, our people and our allies harm: we have a long reach, we have unwavering determination and we never forget about our citizens.

    The threat ISIL pose continues. Britain and her allies will not rest until we have defeated this evil terrorist death cult, and the poisonous ideology on which it feeds.

    Today though, my thoughts, and the thoughts of our country, are with the families of those who were so brutally murdered.

    Japanese citizens Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa, American journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley and aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig.

    And of course our own citizens. Aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning. Nothing will bring back David and Alan. Their courage and selflessness stand in stark contrast to the empty callousness of their murderers.

    Their families and their friends should be proud of them, as we are. They were the best of British and they will be remembered long after the murderers of ISIL are forgotten.

  • David Cameron – 2015 Lord Mayor’s Banquet Speech

    davidcameron

    Below is the text of the speech made by David Cameron, the Prime Minister, at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet Speech held at the Guildhall in London on 16 November 2015.

    Introduction

    My Lord Mayor, My Late Lord Mayor, Your Grace, My Lord Chancellor, My Lord President of the Council, Lord Speaker, Your Excellencies, My Lords, Aldermen, Sheriffs, Chief Commoner, Ladies and Gentlemen.

    We meet today in the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack in Europe for a decade.

    The thoughts and prayers of this hall – and our whole country – are with the friends and families of all those affected – including the British victims.

    These were innocent people going about their lives enjoying a Friday night out brutally gunned down by callous murderers.

    Murderers who thought that their acts of depravity could somehow destroy everything we stand for.

    They could not have been more wrong.

    Britain, France and our allies around the world will never be cowed by terrorism.

    We will only redouble our resolve to defeat it.

    Tonight I want to talk about how.

    But before I turn to the specific terrorist threat, let me first say a word about our wider approach to Britain’s national security.

    Because at the heart of the National Security Strategy that we are publishing next week are some key choices which provide the foundations from which we can defeat this terrorist scourge.

    Economic security

    The first choice is about ensuring our economic security.

    As I argued at this dinner last year, economic security and our national security go hand-in-hand.

    You cannot have one without the other.

    It is only because we have a strong economy that we can afford the resources to invest in our national security.

    It is only because we have halved the deficit and made our economy the fastest growing in the G7 last year that we can maintain the second best funded armed forces in all of NATO – and together with France, the most capable and globally deployable in Europe.

    So we will continue to see through our long-term economic plan and take the difficult decisions to deal with our deficit.

    Hard power

    Second, we are using our economic strength to invest in hard military power.

    As I will explain later, whatever others might wish were the case, the reality is that there are times when you do need to be able to deploy military force.

    And if you don’t have it, you can’t deploy it.

    So in a difficult spending review where resources are tight, we are choosing to spend 2% of our GDP on defence every year for the rest of the decade.

    With a growing economy this means a rising defence budget – with more money every year.

    But it’s not just about the amount of money we spend or the size of our forces, it’s also about our ability to deploy them quickly with the right equipment to get things done.

    We have seen how vital drones are in the fight against ISIL so with this extra money we are doubling our fleet of drones.

    We know we need the ability to carry out airstrikes so this money will provide for more fighter aircraft.

    We want to increase the capabilities of our brilliant special forces.

    So there will be a £2 billion programme of new investments over this Parliament.

    We will maintain our continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent.

    And we will also invest in a new generation of cyber defences to block and disrupt attacks before they can harm our United Kingdom.

    All these measures – and more – come from the choice that we make to spend on our security to deal head-on with the wide range of threats that we face today.

    Aid

    But keeping our people safe in the modern world means tackling the causes of the threats we face – not just dealing with their consequences.

    So the third key choice that we make is to keep our promises to the poorest in the world by spending 0.7% of our Gross National Income on aid.

    I have made the argument many times before that this is the right thing to do morally and I’ve made the argument that it’s in our national interest.

    But tonight I want to make a slightly different point tonight.

    Our aid budget makes us the fastest in the world to react.

    At the migration summit in Valetta last week, as other countries were struggling to work out their contribution to the international effort to stop this lethal trade in human beings across the world, I was able to say very quickly what we would spend, where the money would come from, what we’d do.

    We don’t need to spend time deliberating wondering whether we can afford to help or not, we can focus immediately on what we can do that will help the most.

    So when a typhoon hits the Philippines – British sailors were among the first to arrive.

    And with Ebola in Africa, I knew we could afford to act – and act comprehensively and it was the rapid contribution of British forces, humanitarian workers and medical staff who helped to make Sierra Leone Ebola-free last week and prevent the spread of this dreadful disease around the world.

    This ability to respond swiftly, flexibly, generously means that we have a big impact on the way the world responds to crises.

    And we are going to enhance that capability by refocusing our aid spending so we will target at least half of the Department for International Development’s budget on stabilising and supporting broken and fragile states, and do so much more to help refugees closer to their homes.

    This will make our aid spending an even more fundamental part of our strategy to keep our country safe.

    And it will help to maintain Britain’s position as number one in the world for soft power.

    And yes, it may be called soft power but whether it’s saving the lives of refugees by stopping them from having to make that terrible journey across the Mediterranean, helping the Lebanese build defences against ISIL, or helping countries establish the building blocks of democracy and justice and the rule of law, I can tell you that soft power packs a real punch.

    Building alliances

    The fourth key choice we have made in taking a comprehensive approach to our security – is to engage with countries around the world even when there are difficult issues to address.

    Some people said I shouldn’t have invited the leaders of India, China and Egypt to Britain in recent weeks.

    Others concluded that it’s a sort of zero sum game, with the drawbacks of engagement being balanced out exactly by the benefits to our trade.

    Frankly, I disagree with both of those views.

    It is not just about trade – important as that is.

    It’s about influence.

    It’s about using our world class diplomatic network to build relationships that mean you can work together to solve shared problems and have the ability to express concerns where you need to.

    Think about the consequences of not engaging.

    Is anyone really saying that I shouldn’t talk to the Egyptians on the day after an airliner is blown up in their country and when it is Britain’s national interest that we support their airport security and get our own people safely home?

    The people who wanted me to raise the dumping of cheap steel with the Chinese are also often the same people who say I shouldn’t meet the Chinese in the first place.

    Well, I can’t raise the issue if I’m not talking to them, just as we can’t influence their rise in the world if we’re not willing to engage.

    The bottom line is this.

    Yes, it is a strategic choice to engage with countries where we have concerns.

    But my view is this.

    You can’t conduct foreign policy by press releases and pious statements in Parliament.

    You have to engage and build the alliances that can make a difference.

    A deeper partnership means a deeper conversation and a greater ability to address the issues that might concern us.

    So the National Security Strategy that we are publishing next week will give Britain the resources it needs to increase both its hard and soft power and build the relationships that can project and enhance our influence in the world.

    And it’s against this background that I want to turn specifically to the terrorist threat that we face.

    Full spectrum

    The more we learn about what happened in Paris the more it justifies the approach that we are taking in Britain.

    When you are dealing with radicalised European Muslims, linked to ISIL in Syria and inspired by a poisonous narrative of extremism, you need an approach that covers the full spectrum – military power, counter-terrorism expertise and defeating the poisonous narrative that is the root cause of this evil.

    Let me take each in turn.

    Military power

    We have to be realistic and hard-headed about the threats we face: confronting this murderous violence requires a strong security response.

    Those who say we should have somehow arrested ‘Jihadi John’, don’t get the reality of the world we are in.

    The same is true of Junaid Hussain or Reyaad Khan.

    There is no government we can work with in Syria, let alone that part of Syria.

    There are no rigorous police investigations or independent courts upholding justice in Raqqa.

    We have no military on the ground to detain those preparing plots.

    And there was nothing to suggest that any of these people would ever leave Syria or stop planning to murder British and American citizens.

    In that situation, you do not protect people by sitting around and wishing for another world.

    You have to act in this world.

    And that means being prepared to use military force where necessary.

    Counter-terrorism

    Turning to counter-terrorism, our security services have foiled no fewer than 7 different terrorist plots right here in Britain over the past year alone.

    We should all be extraordinarily grateful for the work they have done in thwarting these attacks and keeping us safe.

    But we need to do more to ensure our agencies have the resources and the information they need to prevent and disrupt plots against this country at every stage.

    So in next week’s Strategic Defence and Security Review, we will make a major additional investment in our world class intelligence agencies.

    This will include over 1,900 additional security and intelligence staff and more money to increase our network of counter-terrorism experts in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

    We will also more than double our spending on aviation security around the world with more experts overseas working side by side with host nations in the most vulnerable locations.

    We also need to do more to make sure the powers we give our security services keep pace with changes in technology.

    So we have published a draft Bill that will ensure that GCHQ, MI5 and our counter-terrorism police continue to have the powers to follow terrorist movements by tracking their online communications to intercept those communications under a warrant and to obtain data from computers used by terrorists and paedophiles.

    Now of course there will be those who criticise these measures as an infringement of civil rights.

    But I disagree.

    They are about protecting those liberties from terrorists who want to take them away.

    Furthermore, these are powers that have been used in every major recent counter terrorism investigation by MI5 and the police.

    And they have played an important part in thwarting many attacks from a plot to blow up the London Stock Exchange in 2010 to a sickening attempt to imitate the killers of Lee Rigby by murdering a soldier with a knife and a hammer in August last year.

    Our legislation will get the balance right – with powers matched by strong safeguards and judicial oversight to make us world leaders on transparency and accountability.

    Defeating the ideology

    But military power and counter-terrorism expertise will only get us so far.

    To defeat this terrorist threat in the long term – we must also understand and address its root cause.

    There is far too much confusion about this.

    Some say it’s wronged Muslims getting revenge on their Western wrongdoers but this overlooks that ISIL, al-Qa’ida and Boko Haram murder Muslims in huge numbers.

    Some say it’s because of the Iraq War but that overlooks that 9/11 – the biggest loss of British citizens in a terrorist attack – happened before the Iraq War.

    Some say it’s because of poverty and deprivation but that overlooks that many of these terrorists have had the full advantages of prosperous families or a Western education.

    I am not saying that these issues aren’t important.

    But we could deal with all of them and some people would still be drawn to extremism.

    The root cause of this threat is the poisonous ideology of extremism itself.

    This ideology, this diseased view of the world, has become an epidemic – infecting minds from the mosques of Mogadishu to the bedrooms of Birmingham.

    And we have to stop it at the start – stop this seed of hatred even being planted in people’s minds, let alone allowing it to grow.

    That means confronting the ideology with our own liberal values, exposing this extremism for what it is – a belief system that glorifies violence and subjugates its people – not least Muslim people.

    It means tackling both the violent and the non-violent extremism in all its forms because unwittingly or not those who promote extremist views – even if nonviolent themselves – are providing succour to those who want to commit or get others to commit violence.

    It means improving integration – by moving away from segregation in our schools and communities and inspecting and shutting down any educational institutions that are teaching intolerance.

    And it means actively encouraging reforming and moderate Muslim voices to speak up and challenge the extremists.

    And this final point is vital.

    Of course, this extremist ideology is not true Islam. That cannot be said clearly enough.

    But it is not good enough to say simply that Islam is a religion of peace and then to deny any connection between the religion of Islam and the extremists. Why? Because these extremists are self-identifying as Muslims.

    From Tunisia to the streets of Paris, these murderers all spout the same twisted narrative that claims to be based on a particular faith.

    To deny that is to disempower the critical reforming voices that want to challenge the scriptural basis on which extremists claim to be acting – the voices that are crucial in providing an alternative worldview that could stop a teenager’s slide along the spectrum of extremism.

    We can’t stand neutral in this battle of ideas.

    We have to back those who share our values – with practical help, with funding, campaigns, protection and political representation.

    This is a central part of how we can defeat this terrorism in the long term.

    And it is a battle of ideas that we must win – not just here at home – but together with our allies all around the world.

    This will be a huge challenge.

    But in Britain we have the soft power – the influence, the educational expertise and the alliances with other countries – to win this battle and defeat the causes of hatred and intolerance that threaten our security and the security of our allies across the world.

    Conclusion

    Lord Mayor, here in this great Guildhall is a copy of the Magna Carta signed just months before the first Lord Mayor’s Show 800 years ago and enshrining in this land the principles of liberty, justice and the rule of law.

    As this Hall stood open to the sky after the bombings of London in the heat of the Second World War it was Winston Churchill who addressed this Banquet as it temporarily moved to Mansion House.

    He spoke of the resolve of this ancient City of London and our determination that however long and hard the toil may be the British nation would never enter into negotiations with Hitler.

    It is that historic British resolve that we celebrate here again tonight.

    And it is that same resolve that will defeat this terrorism and ensure that the values we believe in – and the values we defend – will again in the end prevail.