Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 March 2025.

Government announces major support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) following historic commitment to increase spending on defence.

• New SME spending targets for defence will boost access to UK defence investment.
• A new support hub will provide guidance to small businesses on accessing the defence supply chain, unlocking new jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.
• Move will ensure more money is spent directly with British small businesses and boost the economy of small towns and suburbs in every region of the UK as part of the Government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy.

Thousands of small businesses in the UK will receive new government support to ensure they benefit from the historic decision to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. This investment will protect UK citizens from threats at home, but also create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can thrive, supporting the Government’s number one mission to deliver economic growth.

The government has today announced its plans to launch a new hub to provide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with better access to the defence supply chain and committed to set direct SME spending targets for the Ministry of Defence by June this year. This is a chance for small, often family-owned, firms to bring their innovations, their agility and their expert workforce to the task of strengthening Britain’s defences. It will help create new jobs, boosting the economy of small towns and suburbs in the UK.

It follows the Government’s historic uplift in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027, with a commitment to hit 3% in the next Parliament. This investment in defence will deliver the stability that underpins economic growth, and will unlock prosperity through new jobs, improving the lives of people in every corner of the UK.

The new hub and investment targets announced today will ensure this increased spending directly benefits SMEs as much as possible – supporting jobs, growth and innovation. This is a vote of confidence in the prospects of up to 12,000 SMEs, supporting them to raise finance and train workers with confidence. It marks further progress to deliver the government’s Plan for Change, putting more money in people’s pockets and rebuilding Britain.

The move is designed to boost the resilience of the UK’s defence industrial base and to seize the full power of rapid technological change as part of the Government’s forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.

Nearly 70% of defence spending goes to businesses outside London and the South East, bolstering local economies from Scotland to the North West. However, only 4% of this spending went to SMEs in 2023-2024, which is why the Government is stepping up to provide more support to SMEs and help them get their foot in the door in the defence supply chain.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The UK’s defence industry is a source of national pride. It supports hundreds of thousands of good jobs up and down the country and represents British manufacturing at its best.

Increasing our investment in defence is not only bolstering our national security, it is an opportunity to put more money into working people’s pockets and boost economic growth.

By helping smaller businesses to access this money, we’re making communities across the UK better off and opening up more opportunities to train for good, skilled, productive jobs.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

This Government’s historic increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 will boost national security and make defence an engine for economic growth throughout the UK.

For too long small businesses felt locked out of defence, but we’ve listened and we’re acting. Today’s announcement will ensure that smaller firms benefit from increased defence spending, attracting new suppliers and fast-tracking the technologies of the future into the hands of our Armed Forces.

This a new era for defence and we will ensure it plays the fullest part in our national economic growth.

The new Hub will work with suppliers across the nations and regions of the UK to ensure that it fully meets their needs. This will strengthen defence procurement through increased choice and faster access to innovation. It will keep the UK at the forefront of defence technology, improving the capabilities available to our Armed Forces, the competitiveness of UK industry and growing potential exports benefits.

Defence is an engine for jobs and growth in every nation and region of the UK. In 2023-24, defence spending by the Government supported over 430,000 jobs across the UK, the equivalent to one in every 60. In the same year, the Ministry of Defence spent a total of £28.8 billion with UK industry, with spending in the East Midlands increasing by 30%, equivalent to £328 million, on the previous year. Northern Ireland also saw a rise of 20%, with other increases in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West, up 19% and 18% respectively. With increased support for SMEs and the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, the Government plans to increase this further.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 March 2025.

The Prime Minister met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Downing Street this morning, their third meeting since July. The meeting came ahead of the Prime Minister convening international leaders in London today to discuss how partners can work with the USA to move forward to a lasting peace for a sovereign Ukraine. They agreed on the importance of the transatlantic alliance in confronting shared challenges.

They had a warm and constructive discussion, agreeing the strength of the UK-Italy relationship is as vital now as it has ever been. They reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, agreeing that the UK and Italy will stand with them for as long as it takes.

The two leaders acknowledged positive progress made since their last meeting in joint working to tackle irregular migration. They agreed secure borders are a bedrock of a secure economy. They noted the significance of recent successful joint operations to disrupt smuggling gangs and agreed there is greater opportunity to disrupt gangs upstream at source when countries work together. They will strengthen cooperation to share intelligence and data, such as through Europol. The Prime Ministers committed to continue to work closely together in these areas.

The two Prime Ministers committed to staying in close contact to take today’s discussion forward at pace.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 March 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Alar Karis of Estonia, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa of Latvia and President Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania this morning.

The Prime Minister reiterated that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are key partners of the UK, including through the Joint Expeditionary Force, and welcomed their leading contributions in support of Ukraine since Russia’s illegal invasion began.

The Prime Minister updated them on his discussions with the leaders of Ukraine, France and the United States in recent days – and underlined his focus on securing a lasting peace in Ukraine that ensures their future sovereignty, backed up by strong security guarantees.

They all agreed that Europe must unite and drive forward urgent action that will secure the best outcome, which will be vital for Europe’s future security.

The Prime Minister updated on his plans to convene leaders in London later today for further discussions and they agreed to stay in close contact in the coming weeks.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 March 2025.

The Prime Minister will intensify his efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine by convening international leaders at a summit in London today.

The Prime Minister has this weekend reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine and is determined to find a way forward that brings an end to Russia’s illegal war and guarantees Ukraine a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security.

The summit rounds off a week of intense diplomacy for the Prime Minister, which has seen him raise UK defence spending and travel to Washington D.C. for productive talks with President Trump in support of UK and European security. The Prime Minister spoke again with both President Trump and President Zelenskyy on Friday evening following the events of yesterday at the Presidents’ meeting in Washington D.C.

The Prime Minister will welcome Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Downing Street this morning, before being joined at the summit in central London by the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Romania. The Turkish Foreign Minister, NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the European Commission and European Council will also attend.

The Prime Minister has been clear that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine, a determination he reiterated when he warmly welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street on Saturday evening ahead of the summit.

Discussions at the summit will focus on:

• Strengthening Ukraine’s position now – including ongoing military support and increased economic pressure on Russia.
• The need for a strong lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine and ensures that Ukraine is able to deter and defend against future Russian attack.
• Next steps on planning for strong security guarantees.

Following the announcement earlier this week that the UK will spend 2.5% of its GDP on defence by 2027, the Prime Minister will be clear on the need for Europe to play its part on defence and step up for the good of collective security.

The UK has already been clear it is willing to support Ukraine’s future security with troops on the ground.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Three years on from Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, we are at a turning point. Today I will reaffirm my unwavering support for Ukraine and double down on my commitment to provide capacity, training and aid to Ukraine, putting it in the strongest possible position.

In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees, alongside continued discussions with the United States.

We have an opportunity to come together to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that secures their sovereignty and security.

Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 March 2025.

The Prime Minister welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street this afternoon.

The Prime Minister reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine, adding that the UK will always stand with them, for as long as it takes.

The Prime Minister re-stated his determination to finding a path that ends Russia’s illegal war and ensures a just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security.

The leaders looked forward to continuing these discussions at tomorrow’s leaders’ summit in London.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 28 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke with the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan earlier this afternoon.

The Prime Minister reflected on his recent visit to the US and the importance of working with international partners to uphold European security.

Discussing the war in Ukraine, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary to deter Russian aggression.

The Prime Minister went on to set out his aims for the Leaders’ Summit he is convening in London on Sunday and said he was looking forward to Türkiye’s Foreign Minister participating in these talks.

The leaders agreed to stay in touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 28 February 2025.

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointment:

• Baroness Chapman of Darlington as a Minister of State (Minister for International Development) in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Baroness Chapman will attend Cabinet.

The Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP has left the Government.

Notes to editors:

• Baroness Chapman will also retain her existing portfolio responsibilities.
• Stephen Doughty MP will cover Official Development Assistance in the House of Commons.
• Hamish Falconer MP (previously unpaid) will be paid as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 28 February 2025.

The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Ruth Elizabeth Worsley, Suffragan Bishop of Taunton in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, to the See of Wigan, to be known as the Interim Bishop of Liverpool.

Background

Ruth was educated at the University of Manchester and prepared for ordination at St John’s College, Nottingham. Ordained in 1996 to a title in Hyson Green, in the Diocese of Southwell she had various other parish responsibilities in that diocese as well as service as Area Dean of Nottingham North.

Ruth served as Dean of Women’s Ministry and as an Honorary Chaplain to Her late Majesty The Queen. She was subsequently Parish Development Officer in the Diocese of Southwark and then Archdeacon of Wiltshire in the Diocese of Salisbury.  She was appointed Bishop of Taunton in 2015.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 28 February 2025.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President of the United States Donald Trump met today in the White House.

The leaders discussed the depth of the special relationship between their two nations and their commitment to shared security and prosperity.

They spoke about the fair, balanced and reciprocal economic relationship that the two countries enjoy. They agreed their teams should work together to deepen this relationship, and to work together to agree a trade deal focused on tech.

On defence and security, they agreed that the strength of the UK and US’s intelligence and defence relationship is unrivalled. The Prime Minister underlined the announcement he made this week to increase defence spending to 2.5%

The leaders agreed that on Ukraine, talks must work towards a lasting peace. The Prime Minister said the UK is ready to play a leadership role on supporting Ukraine’s future security. They discussed their shared commitment to a ‘peace through strength’ approach and that their teams should collaborate on this.

The President accepted an invitation on behalf of His Majesty The King for an unprecedented second State Visit to the United Kingdom.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 28 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi this afternoon.

The Prime Minister offered reflections on his visit to the US, where he held positive and productive talks with President Trump.

On the situation in Gaza, the leaders agreed on their hopes for the ceasefire to become a lasting peace and for Gaza to be rebuilt. The Prime Minister reiterated his view that Palestinians must be allowed to return to their homes in Gaza, and that a two-state solution was the only way to deliver a secure and stable future for the region.

Turning to wider issues, the Prime Minister and the President discussed the importance of their countries’ strategic relationship, including on trade and investment. They looked forward to building on this relationship further to deliver significant benefits for both the UK and Egypt.

The Prime Minister discussed the case of British national Alaa Abd El-Fattah with President Sisi. He pressed for Alaa’s release, having met his mother Laila Soueif in recent weeks.

The leaders agreed to speak again soon.