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Tag: 2021

  • Boris Johnson – 2021 Statement on Covid-19

    Boris Johnson – 2021 Statement on Covid-19

    The statement made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, in Downing Street on 14 June 2021.

    When we set out on our roadmap to freedom a few months ago, we were determined to make progress that was cautious but irreversible. And step by step – thanks to the enormous efforts of the British people and the spectacular vaccine roll-out we now have one of the most open economies and societies in this part of the world.

    And as we have always known and as the February roadmap explicitly predicted – this opening up has inevitably been accompanied by more infection and more hospitalisation. Because we must be clear that we cannot simply eliminate Covid – we must learn to live with it. And with every day that goes by we are better protected by the vaccines and we are better able to live with the disease.

    Vaccination greatly reduces transmission and two doses provide a very high degree of protection against serious illness and death. But there are still millions of younger adults who have not been vaccinated and sadly a proportion of the elderly and vulnerable may still succumb even if they have had two jabs.

    And that is why we are so concerned by the Delta variant that is now spreading faster than the third wave predicted in the February roadmap. We’re seeing cases growing by about 64 per cent per week, and in the worst affected areas, it’s doubling every week. And the average number of people being admitted to hospital in England has increased by 50 per cent week on week, and by 61 per cent in the North West, which may be the shape of things to come. Because we know the remorseless logic of exponential growth and even if the link between infection and hospitalisation has been weakened it has not been severed.

    And even if the link between hospitalisation and death has also been weakened, I’m afraid numbers in intensive care, in ICU are also rising. And so we have faced a very difficult choice. We can simply keep going with all of step 4 on June 21st even though there is a real possibility that the virus will outrun the vaccines and that thousands more deaths would ensue that could otherwise have been avoided.

    Or else we can give our NHS a few more crucial weeks to get those remaining jabs into the arms of those who need them. And since today I cannot say that we have met all four tests for proceeding with step four, I do think it is sensible to wait just a little longer.

    By Monday 19th July we will aim to have double jabbed around two thirds of the adult population including everyone over 50, all the vulnerable, all the frontline health and care workers and everyone over 40 who received their first dose by mid-May. And to do this we will now accelerate the 2nd jabs for those over 40 – just as we did for the vulnerable groups – so they get maximum protection as fast as possible.

    And we will bring forward our target to give every adult in this country a first dose by 19th July that is including young people over the age of 18 with 23 and 24 year olds invited to book jabs from tomorrow – so we reduce the risk of transmission among groups that mix the most. And to give the NHS that extra time we will hold off step 4 openings until July 19th except for weddings that can still go ahead with more than 30 guests provided social distancing remains in place and the same will apply to wakes. And we will continue the pilot events – such as Euro2020 and some theatrical performances. We will monitor the position every day and if after 2 weeks we have concluded that the risk has diminished then we reserve the possibility of proceeding to Step 4 and full opening sooner.

    As things stand – and on the basis of the evidence I can see right now – I am confident we will not need any more than 4 weeks and we won’t need to go beyond July 19th. It is unmistakably clear the vaccines are working and the sheer scale of the vaccine roll-out has made our position incomparably better than in previous waves.

    But now is the time to ease off the accelerator because by being cautious now we have the chance – in the next four weeks – to save many thousands of lives by vaccinating millions more people. And once the adults of this country have been overwhelmingly vaccinated, which is what we can achieve in a short space of time, we will be in a far stronger position to keep hospitalisations down, to live with this disease, and to complete our cautious but irreversible roadmap to freedom.

  • Angela Rayner – 2021 Comments on the Committee on Standards in Public Life Review

    Angela Rayner – 2021 Comments on the Committee on Standards in Public Life Review

    The comments made by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, on 14 June 2021.

    The current system regulating lobbying and standards in our public life is completely unfit for purpose, so we welcome this report and its key recommendation that significant reform is needed.

    Ministers should be banned from lobbying after they leave office for a period of up to five years, and Labour supports this recommendation. However, the Prime Minister should not be the ultimate arbiter of the Ministerial Code, allowing him to mark his own homework and let Ministers get away with breaking the rules.

    The toothless ACOBA system has failed to address the revolving door between big business and Whitehall and requires urgent reform, and we need to ban MPs who are supposed to be serving their constituents, lining their own pockets by taking on lobbying gigs.

    Labour will clean up our politics after the Tories have polluted it with their cronyism and sleaze, starting with a single Ethics and Integrity Commission that will have the powers to oversee and enforce anti-corruption and ethics laws and regulations which are currently spread across a range of bodies – a system that is clearly not working.

  • Ed Miliband – 2021 Comments on Covid Roadmap Delay

    Ed Miliband – 2021 Comments on Covid Roadmap Delay

    The comments made by Ed Miliband, the Shadow Business Secretary, on 14 June 2021.

    It would be wrong for businesses to suffer because of the Government’s poor handling of our borders and failure to contain the new variant.

    There is a cloud of deep anxiety and uncertainty hanging over many businesses worrying about their futures and whether economic support will be removed whilst they are still unable to trade or profit. It’s right we remain guided by the science in the decisions that are made today, but the price of any delay to the roadmap must not be paid by businesses.

    Night clubs and live music venues, many restaurants and bars, the events, arts and wedding industries are still seriously affected by restrictions, but they have repeatedly been left in the dark about economic support.

    Economic measures must remain in step with public health restrictions. The Government must treat businesses with respect and provide the detail and clarity they are crying out for today.

  • Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on Those Booing the England Football Team

    Jo Stevens – 2021 Comments on Those Booing the England Football Team

    The comments made by Jo Stevens, the Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 14 June 2021.

    It beggars belief that a day after the excellent win against Croatia, senior government ministers are still trying to provoke a fight with the England football team.

    Ministers should get on with their jobs and get behind the home nations.

  • Boris Johnson – 2021 Statement at the G7 Summit

    Boris Johnson – 2021 Statement at the G7 Summit

    The statement made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, at the G7 Summit in Cornwall on 13 June 2021.

    This Summit was the first gathering of G7 leaders – in fact the first gathering of pretty much any leaders – in almost two years.

    And I know the world was looking to us to reject some of the selfishness and nationalist approaches that have marred the initial global response to the pandemic, and to channel all our diplomatic, economic and scientific might into defeating covid for good.

    And I do hope we have lived up to some of the most optimistic of hopes and predictions

    I should say I am sorry to hear that, owing to their pre-existing commitments, the England football team are not able to watch this press conference live in the way I’m sure they’d like to.

    But I hope that, following their resounding victory, they will be able to catch up on the triumphs of the G7 later on.

    A week ago I asked my fellow leaders to help in preparing and providing the doses we need to help vaccinate the whole world by the end of 2022.

    I’m very pleased to announce that this weekend leaders have pledged over 1 billion doses – either directly or through funding to COVAX – that includes 100 million from the UK, to the world’s poorest countries – which is another big step towards vaccinating the world.

    And that’s in addition to everything scientists and governments and the pharmaceutical industry have done so far to roll out one of the largest vaccination programmes in history.

    And here I want to mention, in particular, the role the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine – the world’s most popular vaccine, developed 250 miles from where I’m standing today- by scientists who have rightly been given honours by the Queen this weekend.

    Today over half a billion people are safe because of the development and production of that vaccine, funded – I may add – by the UK Government. And that number is rising every day.

    It is popular, of course, because it is being sold at cost to the world and it was designed for ease of use in mind.

    And because of that act of generosity by AstraZeneca who, just to reiterate, are making zero profit on the production of that vaccine, millions more vaccines have been rolled out to the poorest countries in the world. In fact 96% of the vaccines delivered by the COVAX distribution scheme have been Oxford-AZ.

    But this weekend our discussions went far beyond defeating the pandemic.

    We looked towards the great global recovery our countries have committed to lead, and we were clear that we all need to build back better in a way that delivers for all our people and for the people of the world.

    And that means preventing a pandemic like this from ever happening again, apart from anything else by establishing a global pandemic radar which will spot new diseases before they get the chance to spread.

    It means ensuring that our future prosperity benefits all the citizens of our countries and indeed all the citizens of the world.

    At the G7 Summit this weekend, my fellow leaders helped the Global Partnership for Education – an organisation working to make sure that every child in the world is given the chance of a proper education – reach half of its five-year fundraising goal, including a £430m donation from the UK.

    It’s an international disgrace that some children in the world are denied the chance to learn and reach their full potential, and I’m very very pleased that the G7 came together to support that cause.

    Because educating all children, particularly girls, is one of the easiest ways to lift countries out of poverty and help them rebound from the coronavirus crisis. With just one additional year of school a girl’s future earnings can increase by 20%.

    I’m proud that G7 countries have agreed to get 40 million more girls into school and 20 million more reading by the end of primary school in the next five years, and the money we have raised this week is a fantastic start.

    But of course the world cannot have a prosperous future if we don’t work together to tackle climate change.

    Later this year the UK will host the COP26 Summit, which will galvanise global action on fighting climate change and create a healthy planet for our children and grandchildren.

    G7 countries account for 20% of global carbon emissions, and we were clear this weekend that action has to start with us.

    Carbis Bay is one of the most beautiful places in the world as you can see and it was a fitting setting for the first ever net zero G7 Summit.

    And while it’s fantastic that every one of the G7 countries has pledged to wipe out our contributions to climate change, we need to make sure we’re achieving that as fast as we can and helping developing countries at the same time.

    And what unites the countries gathered here this weekend – not just the G7 but Australia, India, South Africa and South Korea who have joined us (I should say in India’s case joined us virtually) not just our resolve to tackle climate change, but also our democratic values.

    It’s not good enough for us to just rest on our laurels and talk about how important those values are. And this isn’t about imposing our values on the rest of the world. What we as the G7 need to do is demonstrate the benefits of democracy and freedom and human rights to rest of the world.

    And we can partly achieve that by the greatest feat in medical history – vaccinating the world.

    We can do that by working together to stop the devastation that coronavirus has produced from ever occurring again.

    And we can do that by showing the value of giving every girl in the world access to 12 years of quality education.

    And we can also do that by coming together as the G7 and helping the world’s poorest countries to develop themselves in a way that is clean and green and sustainable

    I want to thank finally, the police, everyone who helped organised this summit and all the people not just of Carbis bay (who certainly helped us put the carbs into Carbis Bay), but all the wonderful people of Cornwall for their hospitality. It’s been a fantastic summit and I know that all the other delegations would want to express their thanks as well.

  • Dominic Raab – 2021 Comments on Climate Change

    Dominic Raab – 2021 Comments on Climate Change

    The comments made by Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, on 13 June 2021.

    Tackling climate change is one of the greatest threats of our time as without action, it could push more than 100 million people below the poverty line as soon as 2030.This joint UK, US and German action will enable quicker responses to extreme weather and climate-linked disasters in countries bearing the brunt of climate change.

  • Boris Johnson – 2021 Comments on NATO

    Boris Johnson – 2021 Comments on NATO

    The comments made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 14 June 2021.

    NATO is not just important to the UK’s security, it is our security.

    NATO owes it to the billion people we keep safe every day to continually adapt and evolve to meet new challenges and face down emerging threats. This will ensure NATO is still the bedrock of global defence for generations to come.

    As we recover from the global devastation wreaked by the coronavirus pandemic we need to do so with secure foundations. The peace and stability brought by NATO has underpinned global prosperity for over 70 years, and I have every confidence it will continue to do so now.

  • Alok Sharma – 2021 Speech to the CBI

    Alok Sharma – 2021 Speech to the CBI

    The speech made by Alok Sharma, the President of COP26, on 14 June 2021.

    It is a pleasure to join you this morning.

    Last time I addressed the CBI was as Business Secretary, last November.

    When I said that our recovery from Covid-19, would lay the foundations for future growth, and our vision for the United Kingdom.

    And where I asked you to help to rebuild on those foundations, and make that vision a reality.

    Today, as President Designate of the next UN climate conference, COP26, I echo that message.

    Because to tackle the climate crisis, and reach net zero, we need the innovation, the influence and the energy of the private sector on our side.

    And the task, friends, could not be more urgent.

    In 2015, the countries of the world signed the Paris Agreement, an international deal to tackle the threat of climate change.

    And they committed to try to limit the rise in global temperatures to two degrees, aiming for 1.5 degrees.

    But since that Agreement was signed, we have not done nearly enough.

    And now, to keep that 1.5 degree target in reach, we must halve emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by the middle of the century.

    Through our COP26 and G7 Presidencies, the UK is pushing for action around the world. To keep the 1.5 degree target alive.

    And we are seeing results.

    The entire G7 now has net zero targets, and short-term emissions reduction targets that put them on a path to get there.

    Here in the UK we have committed to slash our emissions by 78% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.

    And we are determined to build back greener as we recover from the pandemic, with the Prime Minister’s plans for a Green Industrial Revolution.

    However, we can only meet our targets with business behind us.

    So I am urging all companies to sign up to the Race to Zero campaign, I want to thank Tony Danker for his support here.

    Race to Zero commits you to reach net zero by 2050 at the latest, and to short term targets, based on the science, to get there.

    This is not only good for the planet, it’s good for your bottom line.

    The direction of travel is clear: the world is going green, creating enormous opportunities for those on the front foot.

    While those that do not move fast enough will be left behind.

    Analysis suggests that, together, 215 of the world’s biggest companies have almost $1 trillion at risk from climate impacts.

    Yet, those same companies have the potential to gain double that amount from the move to green economies.

    Race to Zero membership is a clear statement that you see the possibilities presented by our green future, and that you are determined to take them.

    And it shows customers and investors that you are serious about climate action.

    So, to those of you that have not yet joined: I urge you to do so.

    And to those of you that have: thank you.

    And now please, work with your trade associations and with your supply chains to urge them to do the same.

    Make a commitment to moving to net zero, a condition for doing business with your suppliers.

    Work with them to help them to reduce their emissions.

    And help us to drive change in vital sectors, like energy, like transport and nature.

    These are priorities for our COP26 and G7 Presidencies.

    And, again, we are seeing progress.

    Last month the G7 Climate and Environment ministers meeting, which I co-chaired, committed to end all new direct government support for international coal power by the end of 2021.

    And to transition away from dirty coal domestically to an overwhelmingly decarbonised power system in the 2030s.

    But again, we need business behind us.

    So please, switch to clean power.

    Swap polluting vehicles for those that have zero emissions.

    And commit to removing deforestation from your supply chains.

    Together, let’s seize the opportunities to protect our planet, grow our economy and deliver green growth.

    Thank you.

  • George Eustice – 2021 Comments on the Dasgupta Review

    George Eustice – 2021 Comments on the Dasgupta Review

    The comments made by George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, on 14 June 2021.

    If we want to realise the aspiration set out in Professor Dasgupta’s landmark Review to rebalance humanity’s relationship with nature, then we need policies that will both protect and enhance the supply of our natural assets.

    This is what lies at the heart of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, and our new measures to embed biodiversity net gain further in the planning system for major infrastructure, through our landmark Environment Bill. It’s also behind our approach to future farming policy and other initiatives such as £3 billion for climate change solutions that restore nature globally and our new due diligence law to clean up our supply chains and help tackle illegal deforestation.

  • Lisa Nandy – 2021 Comments on New Israeli Government

    Lisa Nandy – 2021 Comments on New Israeli Government

    The comments made by Lisa Nandy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, on 14 June 2021.

    The approval of a new coalition government offers an opportunity for change in Israel and a chance to kickstart a meaningful process towards a peaceful two state solution.

    As a priority the international community must reach out to the new Israeli government and the new US President to urge a renewal of negotiations, the protection of human rights, adherence to international law, and the importance of a two state solution, based on a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable, sovereign and recognised Palestinian state.

    Whilst we are pleased the current ceasefire in Gaza is holding firm, the cycle of violence over the past few weeks only highlights diplomatic failures of the past.

    This conflict continues to cost lives and bring needless suffering to millions of people. There is now a new opportunity to address this and work with Israeli allies, Palestinian leaders and Arab neighbours to start a dialogue about how we move away from conflict towards a more peaceful Middle East.