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Tag: 2025

  • PRESS RELEASE : Home Office and IBM to partner on Emergency Services Network [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Home Office and IBM to partner on Emergency Services Network [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 15 January 2025.

    Frontline emergency services will benefit from a new communications network that will modernise how they work together, as the government announces a new partnership with IBM following a series of delays by previous suppliers.

    The Emergency Services Network (ESN) will support more than 300,000 emergency responders in Great Britain, providing them with better technology and faster access to data in emergency situations and frontline operations.

    Police forces, fire services and ambulance trusts will be able to share live data and imagery, location reports and essential public safety information as they work on time-critical rescue and response efforts.

    After several delays to the rollout of ESN over recent years, the government is committing to delivering the project as quickly as possible and help save lives as a result. The Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, will chair regular meetings to ensure the project is running to time and cost.

    Providing the emergency services with improved technology is a key part of the government’s drive to make the nation’s streets safer, which is a crucial part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.

    Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, said:

    Every day our brave emergency services help members of the public facing life-or-death situations. We must do everything we can to maximise the chances of successful outcomes, and communications between frontline staff is critical to ensuring this.

    This government is working tirelessly to support this project, making sure it is delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner, and IBM will be an important part of bringing the Emergency Services Network online.

    Rahul Kalia, Managing Partner at IBM UK and Ireland, said:

    We are proud to support the Emergency Services Network (ESN) in delivering a secure and resilient communications platform to empower frontline emergency services.

    Working with our ecosystem partners, we will deliver mission-critical services for first responders to enhance safety in our communities across Great Britain.

    We look forward to working with the government to deliver this in a timely and cost-effective manner.

    Software for new handheld devices will provide data-sharing functions and real-time video features, providing personnel with the critical information they need to save lives, as well as a push-to-talk protocol for instant communications.

    One real-world example of how the network could work is in a serious road traffic collision:

    • the first service to arrive would be able share their exact location using GPS data with the other services
    • fire services would be instantly updated with the make and model of vehicle, which can then be cross-referenced with data on how to best use cutting equipment, if someone was trapped, or where batteries are located on electric cars
    • they could also update paramedics with passenger details to check medical information and determine if there is anything they need to know such as prior medical conditions
    • this would greatly speed up dealing with the incident and the ability to aid the victims involved

    Led by the Home Office, ESN will implement the next generation of fast, safe, and secure voice, video, and data communication, allowing emergency services to work in tandem and coordinate efforts when protecting and aiding members of the public. Similar technology has already been rolled out with success in countries including the USA, Canada and South Korea.

    As the new user services supplier, IBM will be responsible for leading the design, build and system integration of the ESN platform. Key to achieving this will be IBM’s delivery of IT infrastructure, which will be fundamental to ensuring improved and more efficient communication capabilities for mission-critical services.

    The news comes swiftly after EE was awarded the contract to provide the mobile communications infrastructure for the project, as the new government works towards deploying the new ESN and shutting down the current system, Airwave.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Nadine Thomson reappointed to the VisitEngland Advisory Board [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Nadine Thomson reappointed to the VisitEngland Advisory Board [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 15 January 2025.

    The Secretary of State has reappointed Nadine Thomson as a Board Member of VisitEngland for a five year term from 6th January 2025 to 5th January 2030.

    Nadine Thomson

    Appointed from 6th January 2025 to 5th January 2030.

    Nadine Thomson is the President of Product Deployment & Operations at Choreograph, WPP’s data and tech company delivering media, data capabilities and digital products to manage $60 billion in annual media spend for the world’s largest advertisers.  She is an experienced executive with digital, media and travel experience and has held leadership roles in a number of international businesses.

    Over her career, Nadine has led international transformations across the travel, media, retail, entertainment and professional services industries. She has a deep understanding of the travel and tourism industry, having led technology at STA Travel for 9 years where she enabled a global, multi-channel, e-commerce travel business. Previous roles also include leading digital transformation for Conde Nast International, Vue Cinema and News UK and providing digital and technology consultancy to Capita.

    Nadine was awarded Chief Technology Officer of the Year in 2023 and European Technology Leader of the Year in 2021 for real-world achievements in tech in regard to business turnaround and application of innovative technologies. Nadine has 10 years Non-Executive experience.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Trustees of VisitEngland are remunerated £275 for 1.5 days a month. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Nadine has has not declared any significant political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, WTO, and other International Organisations in Geneva [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, WTO, and other International Organisations in Geneva [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 January 2025.

    Mr Kumar Iyer CMG has been appointed the United Kingdom’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, World Trade Organisation and other International Organisations based in Geneva, in succession to Mr Simon Manley CMG who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Iyer will take up his appointment during July 2025.

    The UK’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative oversees the work of the UK Mission in Geneva and represents the United Kingdom in its engagement with over 35 international organisations, agencies and offices based in the city.  These include the UN Human Rights Council, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Telecommunication Union, the World Intellectual Property Office, the Conference on Disarmament, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, CERN, and the World Economic Forum.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Kumar Sabapathy Iyer

    Date Role
    2024 Clifford Chance LLP, London, Senior Adviser to the Board & Global Partnership
    2020 to 2023 FCDO, Director General Economics, Science & Technology
    2020 No 10, Prime Minister’s Covid Taskforce, Director General Policy & Analysis
    2019 to 2020 FCO, Chief Economist
    2017 to 2019 Oliver Wyman, London & International, Partner; & Oxford University, Hertford College, Academic Visitor
    2013 to 2017 Mumbai, Deputy High Commissioner & HM Trade Commissioner to India
    2012 to 2013 HM Treasury, Financial Sector Interventions, Deputy Director
    2010 to 2012 HM Treasury, Strategy, Planning & Budget, Deputy Director
    2008 to 2010 No 10, Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, Deputy Director
    2004 to 2008 Boston Consulting Group, London & International, Management Consultant
    2003 to 2004 Harvard University, Kennedy Scholar & Teaching Fellow
    2000 to 2003 Oliver Wyman, London & International, Management Consultant
    1999 to 2000 Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, Economics Supervisor
    1998 to 2000 Bank of England, Postgraduate & Undergraduate S
  • PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor’s National Wealth Fund fuels 8,600 jobs in six months [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor’s National Wealth Fund fuels 8,600 jobs in six months [January 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 15 January 2025.

    The National Wealth Fund has fuelled 8,600 jobs in the last six months, unlocking almost £1.6 billion of private investment, driving growth across the UK.

    The Chancellor began work just days into office to establish a new National Wealth Fund (NWF) that would invest in the new industries of the future to create good jobs and opportunity across every part of the country.

    With £27.8 billion of firepower, the National Wealth Fund will help drive the government’s Plan for Change and turbocharge growth across the country to raise living standards in every part of the United Kingdom.

    The jobs that have been created will support the digital and clean energy sectors, including 6,500 expected to be created in the retrofit sector across the UK, with the National Wealth Fund providing a financial guarantee that will see Lloyds and Barclays deliver £1 billion of funding to deliver improvements such as low carbon heating and insulation in social housing.

    New figures reveal almost £1.6 billion of private investment has been leveraged into projects across the UK’s clean energy and growth sectors over the past six months. This includes to support faster broadband connections for thousands of businesses and households in Cornwall, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Cumbria, fuelling economic growth.

    Millions of pounds have also been committed to help West Suffolk Council to decarbonise its buildings and transition its fleet to electric vehicles, alongside supporting the expansion of a successful rooftop solar scheme. This innovative investment model has the potential to be replicated by other local authorities and means more businesses can benefit from low cost, low carbon electricity, supporting local businesses and the growth of the clean energy sector.

    It comes as today, the National Wealth Fund announces a loan of £92 million to support Denbighshire County Council’s crucial improvements to coastal flood defence barriers in Denbighshire, North Wales, protecting businesses and homes against the devastating impact of flooding, creating jobs and growth in the construction industry.

    Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones said:

    Growth is our national mission, and the cornerstone of our Plan for Change that will improve living standards and put more money in people’s pockets.

    And the National Wealth Fund is playing a vital part in delivering economic growth, securing over a billion of private investment since July in industries that turbocharge growth in our economy and create good quality jobs across the UK.

    The Chancellor announced in October how the National Wealth Fund would drive long-term investment in Britain, working hand in hand with business to create new high skilled jobs right across the UK, helping make people better off.

    To mobilise investment at pace, the NWF will expand on the UK Infrastructure Bank’s offer including additional financial instruments so it is more catalytic and will take on more risk to have a greater impact:

    • The NWF has more capital with £27.8 billion – inheriting UK Infrastructure Bank’s £22 billion and having an additional £5.8 billion.
    • It has a renewed focus to support the delivery of the wider industrial strategy and the Government’s clean energy and growth missions. At least £5.8 billion of the NWF’s capital will focus on the five sectors announced in the manifesto: green hydrogen, carbon capture, ports, gigafactories and green steel.
    • The NWF will have increased resources and focus on conducting more outreach to identify expanded project pipelines and structure innovative transactions.
    • It will have a strong regional mandate to unleash the full potential of our cities and regions.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK AI sector attracts £200 million a day in private investment since July [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK AI sector attracts £200 million a day in private investment since July [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 15 January 2025.

    An average of £200 million in private sector investment has been funnelled into the UK’s world leading AI sector every day since last summer.

    • Monday’s AI Opportunities Action Plan prompts more than £14 billion in fresh inward investment across the country.
    • Technology Secretary hails ‘new chapter’ with average of £200 million in AI investment now secured every day since taking office.
    • Upward of 13,000 jobs to be delivered to communities as global tech firms back Britain and the government’s Plan for Change.

    An average of £200 million in private sector investment has been funnelled into the UK’s world leading AI sector a day since the new government took office last summer – an average of more than £8.3 million every hour – fuelling the Plan for Change to fix the foundations of the economy.

    More than £14 billion pounds worth of investment into the UK and thousands of new jobs have been confirmed in just 48 hours since the AI Opportunities Action Plan was published, as companies from around the world back Britain’s new blueprint to ensure it can fully realise the opportunities of artificial intelligence.

    It follows £25 billion worth of new investment into the UK’s data centre infrastructure announced at the Global Investment Summit earlier this year, bringing the total to £39 billion in the last six months.

    Cementing the UK’s position as the global destination for AI, a wave of global companies have put their weight behind the UK’s new vision for the technology which was unveiled by the Prime Minister and Technology Secretary on Monday.

    In a move to bolster our AI infrastructure, American AI cloud-computing company CoreWeave has set to work using cutting edge NVIDIA technology to ramp up the UK’s compute capacity – a key pillar of the government’s new vision for AI. They are doing this at their Data Centre sites in Crawley and London Docklands – their first bases in the UK – rolling out a new compute platform by delivering state-of-the-art processors through its specialized cloud platform, purpose-built to provide highly performant and efficient infrastructure for AI workloads. This has opened up a new world of processing power to Britain’s innovators, and follows the company’s decision to base its European Headquarters in London and invest £1.75 billion into the UK in 2024.

    Putting the right building blocks in place to help British companies scale up and become AI leaders is also central to the new blueprint set out by the government. Synthesia – a London based company which is the market leader in software for AI-generated video content – are the latest to be riding this wave of momentum with a successful funding round which has seen their value swell to $2.1 billion. This investment will support Synthesia’s growth and expansion ambitions, as it aims to become one of Britain’s most valuable AI companies.

    Secretary of State for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Peter Kyle said:

    This week we begin a new chapter – putting AI in the driving seat to power the government’s Plan for Change and deliver better lives for everyone in the country.

    The steps we’re taking forward from Matt Clifford’s AI Opportunities Action Plan represent a step change in how the UK manages this technology – unlocking a fresh start for our economy and for working people.

    By attracting more than £14 billion in new investment and thousands of fresh jobs since unveiling our new blueprint from companies across the globe, the message is clear – the UK’s pull as a magnet for AI innovation and growth will only go from strength to strength.

    Supporting the government’s laser-focus of spreading the benefits of AI across the economy, Tech Nation – part of Founders Forum group – Merantix, and Onfido Founder Husayn Kassai, in partnership with Techspace, have also committed today to launching a new dedicated AI hub in London. The London AI Hub will serve as a new epicentre for collaboration and innovation based in Farringdon. Creating a vital focal point for AI innovators to come together and collaborate, companies are now set to move into the Hub from next month.

    In an announcement earlier this week, one of our leading home-grown success stories Nscale also committed to delivering a $2.5 billion investment to support the UK’s data centre infrastructure over the next three years. Deepening their commitment even further, they have also put pen to paper on a contract to build the largest UK sovereign AI data centre in Loughton, Essex by 2026. The site is expected to be up and running in late 2026, unlocking more than 750 jobs during its construction and a further 250 permanent roles which will then drive forward its work – delivering new opportunities for people across the region.

    Further support has also come from Vantage Data Centers, who are committed to continuing to expand their footprint in the UK, with a more than £12 billion funding commitment which will deliver 11,500 jobs across the UK and will meet the growing demand for cloud-based services and technology.

    In a further jobs boost, French AI giant Mistral also unveiled plans last week to make the UK their home from home with a new office in London – its first European base outside France – with plans to double its UK workforce by the end of 2025. Kyndryl – the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider and a leading IT consultancy – has also announced plans to create up to 1,000 AI-related jobs in Liverpool over the next three years. This new tech hub will share the government’s ambition to roll AI out across the country to help grow the economy and foster the next generation of talent.

    Setting out a plan to turbocharge AI on Monday (13 January), the Prime Minister committed to harnessing the technology to turbocharge growth and boost living standards to deliver on the government’s Plan for Change. Every lever of the state has now swung into action to deliver on the 50 proposals from AI entrepreneur Matt Clifford’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, with a singular focus on making the UK a magnet for firms looking to invest, scale, and grow their businesses.

    The plan includes initiatives that will help make the UK the number one place for AI firms to invest, which is vital if Britain is to be at the forefront of this industry and be a change-maker rather than a change-taker.

    Further Information

    • The Vantage Data Centres anticipated investment, some of which is subject to planning permission and agreed connection timelines, is expected to support over 10,000 local construction jobs over the next decade, and create over 1,500 operational roles at its data centres.
    • Read about the UK’s new blueprint for AI.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Roads Minister tests the ‘Pothole Pro’ for National Pothole Day, following record £1.6 billion government boost [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Roads Minister tests the ‘Pothole Pro’ for National Pothole Day, following record £1.6 billion government boost [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 January 2025.

    Government pledges funding to fix up to 7 million potholes across the country this year.

    • Roads Minister visits JCB plant in Derbyshire on National Pothole Day, to see how the government’s record £1.6 billion boost is fixing the nation’s roads
    • new funding includes £75 million for the East Midlands which will see councils across England fill up to 7 million more potholes this year
    • as part of its Plan for Change, the government is investing to boost infrastructure and tackle the pothole plague to get Britain moving

    Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, is marking National Pothole Day (15 January 2025), with a visit to the JCB Factory outside Derby, to see cutting-edge technology helping councils tackle potholes.

    Derbyshire, highlighted by the RAC as the worst area in England for potholes, is set to benefit from a share of the government’s record £1.6 billion investment to resurface across England.

    This includes an additional £20 million for the East Midlands County Combined Authority, which includes Derbyshire, as part of a £1.6 billion funding for highway maintenance that will enable councils to fix up to 7 million more potholes.

    At the J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited (JCB) power systems factory, the Roads Minister will speak to engineers to learn about the latest innovations being used to tackle the pothole plague. She will operate JCB’s ‘pothole pro’, a machine that can fix a pothole in 8 minutes, with a cost of around £30. The ‘pothole pro’ is currently used by 20 local authorities.

    The minister will also meet with local leaders to discuss their plans for filling potholes to deliver safer, quicker and less costly journeys for all road users in Derbyshire. This is part of the government’s plans to work more closely with local authorities to ensure they have the powers to spend it where their communities need it most.

    As part of its Plan for Change, the government is committed to delivering safer, smoother journeys – reducing delays, saving drivers money and going above and beyond its manifesto pledge.

    Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

    Potholes are a clear sign of decline in our infrastructure and for too long roads like those in Derbyshire have been left in a state that endangers and costs road users.

    It’s time for change and we are investing £1.6 billion to fix up to 7 million more potholes across England this year, including over £75 million for the East Midlands Combined Authority.

    JCB’s ‘pothole pro’ is one of the many great examples of using new technology to repair potholes faster and demonstrates how companies are harnessing new technology to repair potholes faster.

    We’ll continue to engage with local leaders and industry to ensure innovations are being used to deliver roads the country deserves.

    Ben Rawding, general manager, municipalities at JCB, said:

     We are looking forward to introducing the minister to the benefits that innovation and technology can deliver in tackling the plague of potholes in our country.

    Last month’s announcement by the Department of Transport of £1.6 billion of funding for road repairs in England during 2025 is very welcome. Our appeal to the Minister will be for this funding to be spent wisely to ensure permanent long-term repairs become the priority for local authorities making best use of value-adding, productive technology such as the JCB pothole pro.

    RAC senior policy officer, Rod Dennis, said:

    There’s no motoring-related issue drivers are more concerned about than the state of their local roads – where almost everyone’s journeys begin and end.

    Going beyond merely patching potholes is the name of the game, and using the latest technology to perform permanent repairs is a much better use of public money. To stop our roads falling apart in the first place, we support councils surface dressing them at regular intervals and resurfacing those that are beyond reasonable repair.

    We’d also strongly encourage drivers to report potholes they’re aware of to their local authority, via GOV.UK, the RAC website or using the Stan app.

    The government’s latest road maintenance funding builds on the wider support it’s giving to councils to deliver core services and serve their communities. £69 billion of funding will be injected into council budgets across England to help them drive forward the government’s Plan for Change through investment and reform and to fix the foundations of local government.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £4 billion Malaysian investment in the UK creates 30,000 jobs [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : £4 billion Malaysian investment in the UK creates 30,000 jobs [January 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Business and Trade on 15 January 2025.

    £4 billion investment by YTL businesses in the UK over the next five years includes transforming the greater Bristol area and delivering over 30,000 jobs across the UK.

    • Bristol brownfield site set for development, creating 30,000 jobs as investors respond to Plan for Change with £4 billion boost
    • Malaysian Prime Minister announces multi-billion-pound investment that will transform Bristol and create 30,000 jobs across the UK over next five years
    • Investment over several YTL businesses, as development will deliver 6,500 homes, three schools and 19,500-capacity arena on brownfield site

    A £4 billion investment by YTL businesses in the UK over the next five years includes transforming the greater Bristol area and delivering over 30,000 jobs across the UK.

    The announcement comes as Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim is in London today [Wednesday 15 January] to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer and officially launch one of the largest brownfield developments in the UK alongside Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hailed the investment as another huge vote of confidence in the UK that shows how the Government’s Plan for Change is delivering economic growth and ‘the power of investment to transform our cities and give working people the security they deserve’.

    Malaysian-owned YTL announced around £2 billion of the total investment will go towards the Brabazon Bristol development, which comprises of 6,500 homes, three new schools and a 19,500-capacity arena, conferencing and exhibition space. According to YTL, the development will deliver more than 30,000 jobs, with the remaining £2 billion invested in YTL’s UK businesses over the next five years.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    “This investment is incredible news for the UK and will create a generational transformation for North Bristol, delivering infrastructure, new schools and creating thousands of new homes and jobs in the region.

    By creating the right conditions and giving investors the confidence they need to make big investments in Britain, our Plan for Change is delivering economic growth and showing the power of investment to transform our cities, and give working people the security they deserve.

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    This investment is what our Plan for Change is all about. Investment that will boost growth, create good jobs  and shows that the UK is open for business.

    It builds on the £600m of investment I secured in China last week, and the success of last year’s record-breaking International Investment Summit, demonstrating global confidence in our economy.

    We will continue to go further and faster to kick start growth to make all parts of the country better off.

    Trade Minister Douglas Alexander will host his Malaysian counterpart Tengku Zafrul Aziz in the first ministerial-led Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) on Thursday to explore ways to increase our trade and investment relationship in priority areas including legal services, education, agriculture and SMEs.

    UK-Malaysia trade stood at almost £6 billion in the year to June 2024. This could grow further now the UK has joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), giving us our first formal free trade agreement with Malaysia.

    Through CPTPP, Malaysian investors have greater certainty when investing in the UK, with the agreement ensuring that Malaysian and UK investors receive fair and equal access to each other’s markets.

    Background

    • In 2016, YTL Power acquired the disused Filton Airfield and associated Brabazon Hangars just north of Bristol. This 380-acre site is the largest brownfield development site in the South West and one of the largest in the whole of the UK. YTL is developing the site into a new town called Brabazon, and the iconic hangars, formerly home of the supersonic jet Concorde, will be turned into a major state-of-the-art arena, conferencing, and entertainment complex.
    • In November 2024, YTL obtained planning approval to deliver 6,500 homes, three schools, three hotels, 2,000 student beds, a retirement village, a new railway station and 60 acres of commercial development focused on high tech, aerospace and university facilities. The entertainment complex will include a 19,500 capacity carbon neutral arena, conferencing and exhibition space and a futuristic family entertainment attraction.
    • The Brabazon development is being constructed in the South Gloucestershire local authority area, just north of Bristol.
  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

    The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 15 January 2025.

    After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the long-overdue news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have desperately been waiting for. They have borne the brunt of this conflict – triggered by the brutal terrorists of Hamas, who committed the deadliest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust on October 7th, 2023.

    The hostages, who were brutally ripped from their homes on that day and held captive in unimaginable conditions ever since, can now finally return to their families. But we should also use this moment to pay tribute to those who won’t make it home – including the British people who were murdered by Hamas. We will continue to mourn and remember them.

    For the innocent Palestinians whose homes turned into a warzone overnight and the many who have lost their lives, this ceasefire must allow for a huge surge in humanitarian aid, which is so desperately needed to end the suffering in Gaza. And then our attention must turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people – grounded in a two-state solution that will guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine state.

    The UK and its allies will continue to be at the forefront of these crucial efforts to break the cycle of violence and secure long-term peace in the Middle East.

  • David Lammy – 2025 Statement on the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

    David Lammy – 2025 Statement on the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

    The statement made by David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, on 15 January 2025.

    Today’s announcement of a ceasefire agreement is a moment of hope after over a year of agony, following Hamas’s appalling attack on 7 October 2023.

    For the hostages and their loved ones, including British citizen Emily Damari, and Eli Sharabi, Oded Lifschitz and Avinatan Or, this has been an unbearable trauma.

    For the people of Gaza, so many of whom have lost lives, homes or loved ones, this has been a living nightmare.

    For the region, this has brought yet more division and conflict.

    With this agreement, hostages and their families will be reunited and Gazans can begin to rebuild their lives. I pay tribute to the tireless diplomatic efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the incoming and outgoing US administrations.

    Much remains to be done – to implement all phases of the deal in full and establish a pathway to lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

    From our first day in office, this Government has pressed for an immediate ceasefire, to free the hostages, and to bring relief, reconstruction and hope to civilians who have suffered so much.

    We will play our full part in the coming days and weeks, working alongside our partners, to seize this chance for a better future.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Prime Minister Anwar of Malaysia [January 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Prime Minister Anwar of Malaysia [January 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 January 2025.

    The Prime Minister welcomed Prime Minister Anwar of Malaysia to Downing Street this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister began by saying he was delighted to have the opportunity to host Prime Minister Anwar at No10, and the leaders agreed that now was an opportune moment to strengthen the relationship between the UK and Malaysia.

    They discussed closer cooperation and to upgrade the relationship to a strategic partnership across trade and investment, education, clean energy and defence.

    Both agreed on their shared ambition for economic growth, and the Prime Minister reiterated that the UK is a great place to do business. He welcomed the £4 billion investment by YTL businesses announced today by Prime Minister Anwar which will deliver for people in Bristol, creating 30,000 jobs and building new homes on brownfield sites.

    They underscored their shared commitment to net zero ambitions and noted that clean energy will support future growth in both our countries.

    As a dialogue partner to ASEAN, the Prime Minister welcomed Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. Both leaders underlined their joint commitment to build a strong UK-ASEAN Partnership, underpinned by respect for ASEAN‘s role in maintaining a prosperous, peaceful Indo-Pacific.

    They looked forward to seeing one another soon.