Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 March 2025.

The Prime Minister met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Paris this morning, ahead of the Coalition of the Willing meeting.

They discussed their enduring support for Ukraine, agreeing that Europe must do everything possible to keep them in the fight and keep up the pressure on Putin.

Both acknowledged the vital role of the United States in forging a path towards a ceasefire agreement, and reiterated that Europe stands ready to support a durable and lasting peace when it comes.

The Prime Minister restated his unwavering commitment to NATO as the cornerstone of our security.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 March 2025.

The Prime Minister will co-host the next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing alongside President Macron in Paris today.

The Prime Minister will co-host the next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing alongside President Macron in Paris today (Thursday 27 March).

At the meeting, he will present the outcomes of this week’s planning meetings in support of Ukraine, which took place at the UK military operational headquarters in Northwood over the last three days.

The intensive sessions, which convened over 200 military planners from countries across the globe, considered in detail the structure of any future force to ensure Ukraine can defend itself from future Russian aggression.

The Prime Minister will underline that all must come together to support Ukraine to remain in the fight and back US efforts to make real progress despite continued Russian obfuscation.

Planning so far has looked across the full range of European military capabilities including aircraft, tanks, troops, intelligence and logistics capabilities – and discussions have centred on how European nations can contribute their own capabilities to support any future force.

Discussions will continue around military planning of air, sea and land forces that would be required to support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

As the Prime Minister has repeatedly stated, a lasting peace in Ukraine can only be provided if we step up and give real and credible security assurances to deter Putin from coming back in future.

The Prime Minister will say that excellent progress has been made, and Europe is mobilising together in pursuit of peace, but now we must continue to keep up the momentum.

The Prime Minister will add that Putin has clearly shown his lack of commitment to the peace process, following ceasefire talks convened by the United States in Saudi Arabia this week.

Published readouts from both sides confirmed a naval ceasefire and prevention of use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea but Russia immediately backtracked and placed conditions on the agreements – despite good faith participation from Ukraine.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will say:

Unlike President Zelenskyy, Putin has shown he’s not a serious player in these peace talks. Playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea despite good faith participation from all sides – all while continuing to inflict devastating attacks on the Ukrainian people. His promises are hollow.

The US is playing a leading role by convening the ceasefire talks, President Zelenskyy has demonstrated his commitment repeatedly, and Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future. Now Putin needs to show he’s willing to play ball.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 March 2025.

Regulation will be cut back as the Prime Minister sets out his latest steps to drive economic growth that puts more money in working people’s pockets.

Regulation will be cut back as the Prime Minister sets out his latest steps to drive economic growth that puts more money in working people’s pockets.

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) will be abolished as the latest step in reducing the burdens on business.

The Government will set out further steps to reduce red tape in the coming days.

A strong economy is at the heart of the Government’s plan to deliver security and renewal through the Plan for Change.

The PSR – which looks after payment systems like Faster Payments and Mastercard – will mainly be consolidated into the Financial Conduct Authority, making it easier for firms to deal with one port of call.

It follows complaints from businesses that the regulatory environment was too complex – with payment system firms having to engage with three different regulators, costing them time, money and resource.

This has a greater impact on smaller businesses that are trying to scale and grow – as the costs are disproportionately higher for them.

The Prime Minister wants to make regulation work for the UK – and this is the latest step in his drive to create an environment that will kickstart economic growth.

It is only by creating growth that people will see a genuine increase in their living standards – with higher wages and more money in their pocket at the end of the month.

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said:

For too long, the previous Government hid behind regulators – deferring decisions and allowing regulations to bloat and block meaningful growth in this country.

And it has been working people who pay the price of this stagnation.

This is the latest step in our efforts to kickstart economic growth, which is the only way we can fundamentally drive-up living standards and get more money in people’s pockets.

That’s why it is the priority in the Plan for Change, and it’s why I’m not letting anything get in its way.

Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said:

The regulatory system has become burdensome to the point of choking off innovation, investment and growth. We will free businesses from that stranglehold, delivering on our Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth and put more money into working people’s pockets.

This builds on the Government’s deregulatory agenda, which has already:

• Lifted the onshore wind ban at the stroke of a pen
• Introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
• Launched the root and branch review of the water sector
• Set financial services regulators on a growth agenda
• Set up a review of all environmental regulation

Today’s announcement does not result in any immediate changes to the Payment Systems Regulator’s remit or ongoing programme of work. The regulator will continue to have access to its statutory powers until legislation is passed by Parliament to enact these changes.

In the interim period, the Payment Systems Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority will work closely to deliver a smooth transition of responsibilities to ensure the market remains competitive.

The entire regulatory landscape will continue to be reviewed and finessed as part of a wider Government effort to kickstart economic growth and make regulators work for the country, rather than block progress.

This is the latest in a line of work to make regulators work for the country. It follows:

• A speech from the Prime Minister at the International Investment Summit where he called on the regulatory regime to fit the modern age.
• A letter from the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Business Secretary – calling on regulators to come up with at least five reforms each that will boost economic growth.
• The Chancellor hauling in regulators in January to have these proposals scrutinised.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 March 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump ahead of the US Ukraine dialogue in Saudi Arabia.

The Prime Minister said that UK officials had been speaking to Ukraine officials over the weekend and they remain committed to a lasting peace.

The Prime Minister said he hoped there would be a positive outcome to the talks that would enable US aid and intelligence sharing to be restarted.

The two leaders also spoke about the economic deal they had discussed at the White House and the Prime Minister welcomed the detailed conversations that had already happened to move this forward. Both leaders agreed to stay in touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 March 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese this morning.

The Prime Minister began by expressing his support for all Australians affected by the Cyclone and paid tribute to the strength of the partnership between the two countries.

He welcomed Prime Minister Albanese’s commitment to consider contributing to a Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine and looked forward to the Chiefs of Defence meeting in Paris on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister also reiterated the UK’s commitment to the AUKUS programme.

The leaders agreed to stay in touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 March 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the leaders of Canada, Turkey, Norway and Iceland this morning.

The Prime Minister applauded the progress the European Union had made at the European Council yesterday, saying it was a historic step forward and another sign of Europe stepping up.

Closer collaboration between the European Union, its partners and our combined defence industrial base was vital as Europe stepped up to counter egregious Russian aggression, the Prime Minister added.

Updating on the intensive diplomacy between the US, UK, France and Ukraine, the Prime Minister welcomed the potential for peace talks in Saudi Arabia next week.

The leaders also discussed the Coalition of the Willing and looked ahead to the Chiefs of Defence meeting in Paris on Tuesday. It would be another important moment to drive forward planning, they agreed.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 March 2025.

The Prime Minister hosted Eli Sharabi in Downing Street this morning.

The Prime Minister began by saying how pleased he was to see Eli, and paid tribute to his phenomenal courage and bravery. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to Eli on the loss of his wife, Lianne, daughters Noiya and Yahel, and brother Yossi.

Hearing firsthand about his 16-month ordeal, the Prime Minister said he could not begin to imagine what Eli had been through.

It was a brutal reminder of what the remaining hostages were enduring, the Prime Minister said.

The UK would redouble its intensive work, at all levels, to secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages, the Prime Minister added.

All efforts needed to focus on full implementation of the remaining phases of the ceasefire and reuniting the remaining hostages with their loved ones, the Prime Minister said.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 March 2025.

National security, growth and energy security will be top of the agenda at the first annual UK-Ireland Summit tomorrow as the Prime Minister underscores the importance of delivering for the people of the UK.

National security, growth and energy security will be top of the agenda at the first annual UK-Ireland Summit tomorrow as the Prime Minister underscores the importance of delivering for the people of the UK.

The meeting comes after the Prime Minister hosted 18 leaders in London on Sunday where he reiterated the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine and European security.    As part of that commitment, tomorrow the two leaders will announce closer collaboration on energy security to harness the full potential of the Irish and Celtic seas.

Through a new data sharing arrangement, the UK and Irish governments will lay the groundwork for commercial developers to increase offshore energy by cutting red tape and minimising the burden of maritime and environmental consent processes for developers.

This will speed up developments and mobilise investments in offshore energy infrastructure.

This new collaboration will increase renewable energy production and enhance the UK’s energy security, delivering on this Government’s Plan for Change.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Energy security and national security are two sides of the same coin, that is why we must work with our allies and partners across the world to protect the hardworking British people from external factors driving up household bills.

As our closest neighbour our partnership with Ireland is testament to the importance of working with international partners to deliver for people at home.

Now more than ever we must work with likeminded partners in the pursuit of global peace, prosperity and security.

Tomorrow, the Prime Minister and Taoiseach will host a joint business roundtable with industry leaders and businesses across tech, finance, clean energy, manufacturing and construction from the UK and Ireland. The discussion will focus on potential opportunities for growth and investment, and how the UK and Ireland can work together to build an even more resilient and successful trading relationship.   They will also discuss how both countries can work closer together on renewable energy, tech, AI and security.

As part of tomorrow’s summit, the UK has welcomed new Irish investments worth £185.5 million creating 2,540 jobs across the country from Version 1, Applegreen, Omniplex, Galvia, Buymedia, Uniquely, Walsh Mushrooms and PM Group. From Evesham to Edinburgh, new investments show confidence in the UK as an attractive place to invest and delivers on the government’s Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth.

The UK will also announce that W.H. Davis, part of Buckland Group, has won a £100 million contract with Irish Rail supporting their investment in railway infrastructure in Ireland.

Ireland is the UK’s 6th largest trading partner with the trading relationship worth nearly £80 billion last year across sectors including renewable energy, life sciences, creative industries and tech.

Tomorrow’s events follow a cultural reception hosted by the Prime Minister and Taoiseach this evening, with representatives from both the UK and Ireland showcasing the world-class talent on both sides of the Irish sea.

After the summit, the Prime Minister will travel to a defence company to meet employees and apprentices working in the national security sector.

Visit comes after the Prime Minister’s landmark announcement made last week on increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027.

In 2023-24, defence spending supported over 430,000 jobs across the UK, the equivalent to one in every 60, with 16,900 in the North West.

Additional information

• Version 1, a Dublin-based, digital transformation leader plans to invest around £40m in the UK in the next few years, through technology hubs across London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester andEdinburgh and the addition of 1000 AI-related roles.
• Applegreen owners of Welcome Break – Motorway service area along the A46 in Hickling, Nottinghamshire – £15 million development. The project has generated over 175 construction jobs andis set to create over 150 long-term jobs for the local community upon opening. Commitment of further UK investments exceeding £85 million over the next 24 months. These planned investments are anticipated to create around 900 jobs for local communities.
• Omniplex – Following its initial 2023 announcement to invest £22.5million and acquire 5 UK cinemas in Birmingham, Clydebank, High Wycombe, Sutton and Ipswich, also acquired 2 further sites in Sunderland and Wigan and is now planning to upgrade all 7 of its cinemas. The combined additional investments will total £13.5million over the next 3 years bringing the total amount to £36million.
• Galvia an enterprise AI platform that drives business growth – Opening an office in Manchester at Manchester’s new £1.7bn science and technology innovation district. The company will invest £500,000 and employ 10 staff over the next 3 years.
• Buymedia, An AI-powered advertising specialist, is opening an office in Manchester at Manchester’s new £1.7bn science and technology innovation district. The company will invest 1.5 million and employ 30 staff over the next 3 years.
• Uniquely, an Irish sales and customer services outsource solutions provider is opening offices in Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow. The company is investing £20 million and will employ 300 staff by the end of 2025.
• Walsh Mushrooms Group, one of the largest suppliers of fresh mushrooms in Ireland and the UK, is undertaking a significant 5-year investment into a new ultra-modern Mushroom growing facility close to its Evesham distribution centre. The project will introduce world-leading, cutting-edge robotic technology with the first phase commencing next month and involving an investment of £10million.
• PM Group, a project delivery specialist headquartered in Ireland, with offices in the UK would like to announce it is expanding its UK business, creating 150 jobs across the UK. The company is a world leader in project delivery in Life Sciences, Data Centres and Industrial Process. Clients include AstraZeneca, GSK, MSD and leading hyperscale data centre companies.
• W.H. Davis, part of Buckland Rail Group, have won a contract with Irish Rail to provide up to 400 freight wagons over a 10-year term, with a potential value of up to €120m/c. £100m.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 March 2025.

Joint statement between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin following UK-Ireland Summit.

UK-Ireland 2030 Joint Statement

1. This Joint Statement represents the starting point for a strengthened relationship between the UK and Ireland, informed by our co-guarantorship of the Good Friday Agreement, and to be taken forward through an ambitious programme of co-operation between our two countries through to 2030.
2. The time has come to commit anew to delivering on the promise of our unique partnership to the benefit of current and future generations living across these islands.
3. Our renewed programme of co-operation will be taken forward in a spirit of respect and affinity, and by a shared ambition to reach the potential of our partnership across our islands, recognising that, in a changing world beyond our shores, the benefits and significance of a stronger and more settled relationship between our two countries have never been greater.

The UK and Ireland working together at home and across the globe

1. In a challenging geo-political and international security environment, Ireland and the UK confirm our commitment to the global multilateral system and international law as the foundations on which all our international engagement and partnerships are built.
2. Building on these foundations, we will work together to strengthen international institutions for peace, promote conflict prevention, peace-building, sustainable development and climate action internationally.  Today, we have agreed in particular to collaborate on a strategic approach to the United Nations’ Peacebuilding Architecture Review and the World Bank’s Fragility, Conflict, Violence (FCV) Strategy. We also agree to collaborate on the Women, Peace and Security agenda and to pilot a joint lesson-sharing from the Northern Ireland peace process in an agreed priority country.
3. We will support this intensification of our co-operation on foreign and security policy issues through annual political consultations.
4. Continuing to ensure the safety and security of the people who live in Ireland and the United Kingdom is a priority we share.
5. National resilience remains a priority for both of us.  We will strengthen co-operation and information sharing on emergency planning to best protect our peoples across these islands.
6. We will strengthen our co-operation in the area of maritime security, with a particular focus on critical undersea infrastructure, which will require greater international co-operation, including closer co-operation between Ireland and the UK.
7. We value our good working relationship at an operational level on cyber security and will continue to co-operate to ensure that the sharing of information and best practices contribute to higher levels of cyber security across both countries. We will also work to develop approaches that benefit both countries particularly in the areas of skills development, cyber hygiene awareness and research projects.
8. Since 2015, the UK and Ireland have cooperated on defence on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding. We will pursue implementation of all aspects of that agreement, particularly in the areas of military training and education. To reflect the rebuilding and strengthening of our partnership, today we agree to review and update the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence by our next Summit in this series.
9. We will continue to develop these areas of work, including through our structured security dialogue at senior official level.
10. We will strengthen existing co-operation on criminal, civil and family law matters and exchange expertise on justice systems challenges, as well as collaborating on the rule of law and its promotion overseas. We will continue to work together to tackle threats to safety online.

Ensuring a strategic and efficient approach to our shared maritime space to mobilise investment, support a healthy marine environment and provide clean energy for our islands

1. We recognise the critical importance of the Celtic and Irish Seas and are committed to working together to harness their potential by deepening co-operation on offshore energy and interconnection, to help ensure our collective energy security as part of the green transition to net zero.
2. Our countries are uniquely linked, not least through shared energy infrastructure and the Single Electricity Market (SEM) on the island of Ireland. This means we share common long-term challenges, including the need for secure, competitive, and sustainable sources of energy.
3. We welcome recent progress on closer working between our countries in this regard, including through our two bilateral Memoranda of Understanding, and the opportunity for more formal co-operation between British and Irish system operators (EirGrid, Gas Networks Ireland, National Energy System Operator and National Gas).
4. In order to meet our ambitious decarbonisation targets, we have agreed today to work together to mobilise investment into strategic infrastructure in the Irish and Celtic Seas by establishing frameworks to guide private investment and removing barriers to trade and investment.
5. In this regard, we have agreed that our respective maritime policy, licensing and regulatory bodies will work together to establish co-operation in relation to data collection and usage, to continue to improve the management of the maritime area in the Irish and Celtic Seas through robust marine planning that includes a clear focus on our shared marine environment.
6. We have also agreed to undertake new joint initiatives on mapping the sea basin to improve interoperability and resilience in UK and Irish waters, and to deepen existing co-operation on maritime decarbonisation, including on our joint efforts to establish green maritime corridors.
7. We will also broaden our existing Energy transition MoU to include industrial decarbonisation; knowledge sharing and exchanging best practices around retrofitting of homes and Community Benefit Funds; as well as formalising a staff exchange programme between UK and Ireland energy departments and agencies.
8. Due to its geography, engineering expertise and interconnection to both Ireland and Great Britain, Northern Ireland can benefit from and be at the forefront of the clean energy transition. Co-operation between governments on infrastructure development will be key in both enabling Northern Ireland to have a renewable generation capacity of 3,550 MW by 2030 in order to deliver the target of 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources, as well as supporting the Northern Ireland Executive’s ambition for 1GW of offshore wind from 2030 and Ireland’s ambition of at least 5GW of offshore wind by 2030, including through developing and supporting an all-island supply chain.
9. Through our continuing co-operation we can act coherently and strategically, developing and sharing research and technical innovation to address our shared challenges, which in turn will deliver significant economic and social benefits to communities across our islands.

Agile, open economies working together to attract investment, innovate from knowledge and accelerate growth

1. The UK and Ireland are particularly close economic partners with a bilateral trade relationship worth approximately 100 billion euros annually. Ireland is the UK’s 6th largest trading partner and the UK is Ireland’s second largest trading partner and we are committed to building on these ties in order to attract new investment and accelerate economic growth across our two countries.
2. Today we welcome substantial new investment announcements across a range of sectors including Digital, AI and Technology that are testimony to continued confidence in our economies and to the importance of our business and trading bilateral relationship. These commitments to invest will bring new jobs and opportunities to local communities and help drive up economic growth.
3. The UK and Ireland have a longstanding partnership in sharing knowledge and experience in progressing infrastructure projects, and we share an ambition to accelerate the delivery of sustainable and resilient infrastructure to drive economic growth, enable new forms of economic activity, accelerate the transition to Net Zero by 2050, and support the delivery of housing and high-quality public services over the next decade.  Our countries and businesses are investing heavily in achieving this ambition but also face common challenges, including in relation to capacity and productivity. We have strong existing collaborations in the transport, housing and energy sectors, and today have agreed a new Framework for Co-operation to support infrastructure delivery to deepen these partnerships and extend them to further areas of mutual interest, including digital and modern methods of construction technologies.
4. Today, we also reaffirm our support to small business in both countries and commit to working together to establish an SME Dialogue focused on sharing good practices in nurturing growth and productivity amongst SMEs to maximise commercial opportunities.
5. We will also establish an Economic Security Exchange to share good practices and experiences, and develop common understandings in key areas for the economic security and prosperity of our two nations.
6. The UK and Ireland share a close bilateral relationship in science, innovation and technology and commit to building on this through our collaboration within the current Horizon European Research and Innovation Framework Programme, including encouraging national contact points to work closely together. We agree to convene regular meetings between UKRI and Research Ireland to discuss issues of mutual interest and monitor and identify multilateral and bilateral opportunities.
7. In early 2024, we launched the research Co-Centre for Climate, Biodiversity & Water, seeking to deliver solutions to the pressing challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity decline, and water degradation; and the Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, seeking to drive societal and political change in food system transformation and transition to climate neutrality by 2050. Following the launch of these Co-Centres, UKRI and Research Ireland will work together and with the Northern Ireland Executive to monitor progress and identify future opportunities to bring together researchers and innovators across the UK and Ireland.

Developing the deep ties between our people and cultures

1. We recognise the unique ability of arts, culture and sport to forge and foster ties between people across these islands.
2. We value the extraordinary influence and contribution of British and Irish cultures and heritages to the artistic and cultural wealth of the public realm and creative industries and institutions in both our countries. In recognition of this, today, we agree to establish a strategic partnership to deepen and amplify co-operation between our leading cultural institutions and to support wider public engagement with the contemporary culture and heritage of both our countries. Over the coming five years, this will comprise a range of measures to support collaborations in programming, professional exchange, research and policy, and an annual joint meeting of our leading cultural institutions each autumn.
3. We look forward to our joint hosting of the EURO2028 Men’s Football Championship and the 2030 T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup and will work to ensure that both tournaments are enjoyed across these islands. We will explore future co-hosting opportunities in the area of sports.
4. We recognise that to reach the potential of our partnership across these islands, we need to understand and respond to the aspirations and views of young people. Today, we have agreed to establish an Ireland-UK Youth Forum to bring together young people across these islands on an annual basis to discuss issues of importance to them and to make recommendations about how they can be addressed for consideration by both our governments.
5. In order to build stronger connectivity amongst our children and young people, we will also encourage greater co-operation and contact between our schools and education systems. This will include areas such as early years learning and provision, social mobility, opportunity and inclusion; special education provision; curriculum and assessment reform; teacher professional development; and integrated education.
6. We will promote greater understanding of educational opportunities for full-time students through improved knowledge, guidance and information using higher education entrance systems.
7. The uniquely rich and dynamic connections between people across these islands are supported and made possible by our long-standing Common Travel Area arrangement.  We remain firmly committed to working together to protect the integrity and security of the Common Travel Area. Recognising also the importance of the Common Travel Area in facilitating the daily lives of citizens across these islands, we will work together to minimise barriers to work or travel for those who benefit from it.
8. Underpinning our co-operation is our shared ambition of a more reconciled, peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland.  In progressing our co-operation across the board, we will ensure that our partnership includes and benefits Northern Ireland. We commit to ensure the successful delivery of the 2021-2027 PeacePlus programme and are agreed in principle to a successor programme.
9. We agree to establish a UK-Ireland 2030 Steering Group led by the UK Cabinet Office and Department of the Taoiseach in order to take forward the range of commitments we are making today. Together we will ensure this complements the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and their crucial role at the heart of our essential and unique relationship.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 March 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this afternoon.

The Prime Minister updated on his discussion with President Trump last night. It was vital that all parties worked towards a lasting and secure peace for Ukraine as soon as possible, the Prime Minister added.

Turning to President Zelenskyy’s most recent calls for further diplomatic efforts to achieve the swiftest possible end to the war, the Prime Minister welcomed President Zelenskyy’s steadfast commitment to securing peace.

Underscoring that any peace for Ukraine needed to be lasting and secure, the Prime Minister said no one wanted peace more than Ukraine.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch in the coming days.