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Tag: 2021

  • Boris Johnson – 2021 Speech at the Global Education Summit

    Boris Johnson – 2021 Speech at the Global Education Summit

    The speech made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 29 July 2021.

    Well, good evening, good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, thank you. Thank you and congratulations to you all. Great to see you in person, by the way, isn’t it wonderful that the vaccines have liberated us to be able to come to this conference in London, a wonderful thing.

    Great to see you all, despite your masks, I see some familiar friends in spite of the masks, some of you have taken your masks off in a daring way, but that’s absolutely fine – you’re socially distanced.

    Now listen everybody I want to thank you all for raising your hands, raising your hands high and then thrusting them deep into your pockets in the way that you are, producing this staggering sum of $4 billion going on $5 billion. We often go to summits, we did before COVID struck, and we’d see very often a lot of men in suits, let’s be clear men in suits basically saying that there was a problem before humanity that was so big and so intractable that there was no silver bullet, no quick fix, no simplistic solution. Have you ever been in a meeting like that? Well, this is not that meeting. I want to say this GPE, this Global Partnership for Education, is completely different because this is the silver bullet, this is the magic potion, this is the panacea. This is the universal cure, this is the Swiss Army knife, complete with allen key and screwdriver and everything else that can solve virtually every problem that afflicts humanity.

    And I’m absolutely serious, if you educate the world properly and fairly then of course you end a great natural injustice. But also, if you end the injustice that nine out of ten 10 year olds cannot read a story around the country, 132 million kids aren’t in school or in many of the countries represented here, alas, there are too few girls in school, and there is a gross disparity, a gross disparity in the education of boys and girls. If you end that injustice and you give every girl in the world the same education as every boy, 12 years of quality education, then you perform the most fantastic benefits for humanity- you lift life expectancy, you lift per capita GDP, you deal with infant mortality, and if you educate proper people properly in the way that they deserve then of course you end or you help to end all kinds of ignorance and prejudice and by educating people you help to end all the things that ignorance and prejudice help to create so you deal with terrorism and with war and extremism, and you help people to tackle climate change.

    And so I’m immensely proud of the achievements of this GPE Summit today, I’m proud of what the UK has been able to contribute in spite of the difficult financial circumstances that we’re all going through. We have lashed out 430 million pounds, as Julia rightly pointed out, the biggest sum we’ve ever contributed and I’m proud of the work we do around the world helping to educate young people across our planet, giving lessons in Hauser on the radio in Nigeria, I think it’s amazing to see what we do in South Asia teaching young girls in schools. Now I know, as Uhuru has said, that this pandemic has made things more difficult and we’ve lost ground and we all know the risk that inequality will now be entrenched but now is the time to make up that ground.

    Necessity has been the mother of invention, we’ve all learned how to cope with Zoom, some of us better than others. I think the younger generation probably are getting the hang of this electronic technology perhaps even better than some of us here in this room and they understand how to impart and imbibe information through the internet and I think we’ve got to make sure that we support through our GP, we support Edtech, we support the technical progress that we can make through laptops, through devices of all kinds, we should support the creation of infrastructure of classrooms, of course that’s the right thing to do.

    But never forget fundamentally what this is all about, what is education? Education is the imparting of knowledge of instruction by one human being to another. The people we really need to thank and the people we really need to think about are the teachers across the world. Everybody in this room will probably have somebody that you can think of that was the teacher who made the difference to your life, who encouraged you, who gave you confidence, can you think of one Julia? Mr Crow, there you go, well Julia would not be here without Mr Crow, let’s hear it for Mr crow. Uhuru, I seem to remember that lesson, do you remember that lesson we did with your kids. I owe a lot to all my teachers but I think in particular have a guy called Mr Fox, when I was about, I think about 10 years old, and he took me into the library and I don’t know whether he thought I was in need of remedial help, or whether he thought I had potential, it was never clear to me but he said to me I want you to read these books and it made a fantastic difference and a lasting difference to my life.

    I just want to say the best thing about this summit here today is that we are supporting with huge injections of cash those amazing people across the world who are inspiring young people to think that they can succeed. And they can succeed. And by the way let me give you one idea, someone somewhere, some child somewhere who is being supported by the over 4bn dollars, [what is it? there’s some doubt about this, oh it’s over 4bn dollars but going to be 5bn over 5 years] but some child somewhere may well be the one who goes on to develop the next vaccine to deal with cancer or whatever other problem afflicts humanity. Some kid around the world will absolutely no doubt have their lives transformed, many many kids will have their lives transformed by these funds and that is the objective- to unleash potential across the planet.

    It’s a fantastic thing that you’ve done, I’m very very proud the UK has been able to be part of it and with Uhuru with Julia to offer leadership.

    Thank you for coming to London, thank you for supporting the GPE, thank you for digging into your pockets and thank you for investing in education and young people across our planet, it is the single best investment we can make in the future of humanity. Thank you all.

  • Grant Shapps – 2021 Comments on Walking and Cycling

    Grant Shapps – 2021 Comments on Walking and Cycling

    The comments made by Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport, on 30 July 2021.

    Millions of us have found over the past year how cycling and walking are great ways to stay fit, ease congestion on the roads and do your bit for the environment. As we build back greener from the pandemic, we’re determined to keep that trend going by making active travel easier and safer for everyone.

    This £338 million package marks the start of what promises to be a great summer of cycling and walking, enabling more people to make those sustainable travel choices that make our air cleaner and cities greener.

  • Jeremy Quin – 2021 Comments on UK Space Command

    Jeremy Quin – 2021 Comments on UK Space Command

    The comments made by Jeremy Quin, the Minister for Defence Procurement, on 30 July 2021.

    As our adversaries advance their space capabilities, it is vital we invest in space to ensure we maintain a battle-winning advantage across this fast-evolving operational domain.

    The stand-up of Space Command is an exciting and important step in our commitment to operate in space effectively.

  • Alok Sharma – 2021 Speech on Functioning Voluntary Carbon Markets

    Alok Sharma – 2021 Speech on Functioning Voluntary Carbon Markets

    The speech made by Alok Sharma, the COP26 President, on 29 July 2021.

    Friends, the clock is ticking down on the climate crisis.

    We are running out of time to protect our precious planet from its worst effects, and to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement within reach.

    To keep 1.5 degrees alive, as the UK COP26 Presidency is determined to do, we must halve global emissions by 2030.

    And that means everyone playing their part – governments, investors, civil society and business.

    Alongside companies setting science-based targets to cut emissions to net zero, and building resilience, voluntary carbon markets can play a vital role, enabling us to do more.

    A voluntary carbon market with integrity can incentivise emissions reductions, and it can encourage technology innovation, and promote reforestation.

    And it can raise finance, fast, getting funds to emerging markets and to nature-based solutions, including forest protection.

    This of course is invaluable.

    Because without finance, the task ahead is near impossible.

    But integrity is the watch word.

    With less than a decade to keep 1.5 alive, there is simply no room for greenwashing.

    The era of carbon offsetting delaying meaningful climate action is over.

    We need transparent, reliable markets playing a role in robust emissions reduction strategies, supporting companies to deliver, providing confidence to consumers and investors, and keeping 1.5 degrees alive.

    That is why the work of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative, working alongside private sector initiatives, is so important.

    And why the UK Government is proud to support it.

    But it will only succeed with your help.

    So I urge all governments, businesses, civil society organisations and Indigenous Peoples listening to engage as fully as possible with the VCMI’s work.

    Help to establish the principles necessary for transparent, functioning voluntary carbon markets, for it to be presented at COP26.

    Together, let’s build our resilience, drive down global emissions, and keep 1.5 degrees alive.

  • Jeremy Quin – 2021 Speech at UK Space Command

    Jeremy Quin – 2021 Speech at UK Space Command

    The speech made by Jeremy Quin, the Defence Minister, at RAF High Wycombe on 29 July 2021.

    It’s great to be here and I was delighted to have the privilege of cutting the ribbon which formally and officially stands up our Space Command.

    And it’s not a moment too soon. Space is in the news like never before.

    As scientists test the limit of our abilities to conduct space travel and billionaire entrepreneurs explore the commercial potential of space tourism, our competitors are trying to assert their dominance by recklessly testing anti-satellite missiles.

    And this is why our dependence on space has never been greater. Satellite constellations in low-earth orbit link up almost every aspect of our daily lives, from mobile phones, the internet and television to transport networks, and even banking systems.

    Militarily, our Skynet satellite system is critical for communication and reconnaissance, weather tracking and navigation.

    But with dependency comes vulnerability.

    That’s why in our recent Integrated Review we recognise space as a major strategic challenge.

    And that’s also why our Defence Command Paper set out our determination to invest in space capabilities over the coming years, backed by around £1.4bn funding on top of the £5bn already being invested in Skynet.

    We’re using that money to set up a National Space Operations Centre, so that we can track activity and ensure our awareness.

    And we’re developing a UK-built Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance satellite constellation.
    We’ll shortly be handing out our first ever space badges to these pioneers.

    But the key part of the plan is our Space Command. It will allow us to do three things:

    First, it will strengthen the military’s command in space, helping to coordinate commercial space operations and leading to the development of new space-based capabilities.

    Second, as a corollary of that, it will open up exciting new opportunities for industry.

    Our nation has bold space ambitions that will require the most imaginative and innovative companies to come forward with cutting-edge solutions; solutions that enhance our reputation as a science superpower.

    Third, this Command will help us bolster our bonds with key partners like Australia, France and, especially, the US.

    I’m delighted Air Vice-Marshal Godfrey has already welcomed his US counterpart General Dickinson here to discuss joint operations.

    And we’re also delighted to welcome Lt Gen Shaw, Deputy Commander of US Space Command, here today, further emphasising our close cooperation in the Space Domain.

    I know they are acutely aware that, at a time when there is limited international agreement on how to regulate satellites and a lack of clarity on international standards to encourage their use, we have a joint responsibility to safeguard the space commons.

    That means properly understanding this complex domain, protecting our whole space enterprise – be that on Earth or in orbit – and stopping our upper atmosphere becoming a cosmic junkyard.

    In the coming months, we’ll be publishing a Space Strategy and alongside that will be a Defence Space Strategy, with both setting out our plans in more precise detail.

    But, before I hand over, perhaps there is another aspect to what we’re doing in the space domain.

    It is now 30 years since Helen Sharman became the first British person to go into space.

    After 18 months of intensive training, the then 27-year-old embarked on an eight-day mission to the Mir satellite.
    She inspired a generation, in the same way Tim Peake is doing so today.

    And so, I hope Space Command’s work will have a similarly inspiring effect of the next generation.

    Filling them not just with a sense of wonder and majesty for our universe but a sense of the boundless possibilities for their future, because the sky is literally no longer the limit.

    And the dawn of a new space age starts here.

  • Angela Rayner – 2021 Comments on Government Misusing Public Funds on Polling

    Angela Rayner – 2021 Comments on Government Misusing Public Funds on Polling

    The comments made by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, on 29 July 2021.

    This has the hallmarks of a racket, not a government acting in the national interest during a pandemic.

    Taxpayers’ money that has been abused in this way should be paid back by the Conservative Party. Taxpayers’ money is not the personal cashpoint of Conservative Ministers to dish out to their mates.

    We need a fully independent inquiry into the Government contracts that have been handed out over private email and WhatsApp so we can get to the bottom of this scandal.

  • Sarah Jones – 2021 Comments on Police Numbers

    Sarah Jones – 2021 Comments on Police Numbers

    The comments made by Sarah Jones, the Shadow Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, on 29 July 2021.

    The Tories have spent a decade cutting our police workforce, leaving communities across the country exposed.

    These figures expose the decimation the Tories have caused community policing. While cuts to police staff mean that even new police recruits will end up behind desks backfilling staff roles, instead of on the beat.

    The Government’s new crime plan is in reality a bunch of rehashed policies designed to distract from the damage they have caused. When coupled with an insulting police pay freeze and failure to consult them on the crime plan, it’s no wonder frontline police have lost confidence in the Home Secretary.

  • Luke Pollard – 2021 Comments on the Climate Crisis

    Luke Pollard – 2021 Comments on the Climate Crisis

    The comments made by Luke Pollard, the Shadow Environment Secretary, on 29 July 2021.

    The severe impacts of the climate crisis are happening here and now, putting people, nature, and our economy at risk. But the Tories are failing to meet their emissions reduction targets.

    Re-announcing inadequate plans can’t hide the Government’s woeful failure to protect communities and businesses. We need urgent action to reverse this climate and ecological emergency.

    Labour would replace the Government’s piecemeal approach with a comprehensive Green Recovery to decarbonise and transform our economy.

  • Anna McMorrin – 2021 Comments on Youth Custody and Reoffending

    Anna McMorrin – 2021 Comments on Youth Custody and Reoffending

    The comments made by Anna McMorrin, the Shadow Minister for Victims and Youth Justice, on 29 July 2021.

    The Conservatives have completely lost control of youth custody, resulting in shocking welfare and rehabilitation for children, as well as a failure to protect the public from crime and reoffending.

    Youth reoffending rates remain unacceptable, well above adult figures, while incidences of self-harm and assault are disproportionately high compared to the number of children in custody.

    Labour is calling for an independent review to tackle the disastrous deterioration in youth custody. Ministers must heed our calls and swiftly get a grip.

  • Justin Madders – 2021 Comments on Number of Closed Testing Centres

    Justin Madders – 2021 Comments on Number of Closed Testing Centres

    The comments made by Justin Madders, the Shadow Health Minister, on 29 July 2021.

    Hundreds of testing centres opening weeks after they’re needed typifies the Government’s shambolic approach to the pandemic.

    A proper plan is needed to prevent the chaos of last autumn when people struggled to access tests. Ministers must fix this now.