Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 26 February 2025.

The Prime Minister will be focused on delivering prosperity and security for the British people, when he meets President Trump today (Thursday 27 February) in Washington D.C.

The Prime Minister will be focused on delivering prosperity and security for the British people, when he meets President Trump today (Thursday 27 February) in Washington D.C.

The UK and the US share a unique and historic relationship, based on shared values and a mutual commitment to economic and defence cooperation.

The UK and the US have one of the biggest trading relationships of any two countries in the world, worth around 400 billion dollars and supporting over 2.5 million jobs across both countries.

This visit comes just days after the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Prime Minister and President Trump share a commitment to delivering lasting peace in Ukraine, and the Prime Minister will reiterate the UK’s commitment to securing a just and enduring peace, bringing an end to Russia’s illegal war.

The Prime Minister will be clear that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine, without Ukraine and will recognise the need for Europe to play its part on global defence and step up for the good of collective European security.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced that defence spending will increase to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament. This will drive economic growth and create jobs across the UK, while bolstering national security and protecting borders.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The world is becoming ever more dangerous, and it is more important than ever that we are united with our allies.

A stable economy, secure borders and national security are the foundations of my Plan for Change, and the US-UK relationship is integral to delivering them. These principles will be at the heart of discussions with President Trump today.

There are huge opportunities for us to deepen our special relationship, deliver growth and security, and improve the lives of working people in both our great nations.

Both countries are world leaders in AI and advanced technologies, and the Prime Minister will be looking to build on these strong foundations to create jobs and economic growth.

The discussion will have a particular focus on the opportunities that further technology and AI partnerships could deliver. These include a proposal of high-ambition shared moonshot missions across top technologies including quantum and AI, and a deeper partnership on space.

The US and UK are the only two allied countries with trillion-dollar technology eco-systems, and the Prime Minister will make the case for further integration between the two countries’ tech sectors to make them the most efficient, ambitious technology sectors in the world.

In October, US tech firms announced a £6.3 billion package of investment to support UK data centres – a central pillar of the government’s plan to ramp up the country’s AI capacity. In January a further £12 billion investment from Vantage Data Centers created over 11,500 jobs as the government published its AI Opportunities Action Plan.

These investments represent just one facet of the deepening science, innovation, and technology collaboration between both countries. In AI, researchers from both sides of the Atlantic have dedicated research exchange programmes to share knowledge and expertise in delivering the next wave of cutting-edge innovations that improve people’s lives in areas such as personalised care, autonomous surgeries, and cancer diagnosis – on top of a broader AI partnership which has also been signed by the AI Institutes of both countries.

On a visit to the West Coast at the end of last year Technology Secretary Peter Kyle met a range of companies to bang the drum for further investment in the UK’s technology sector. Just two weeks ago, he also put pen to paper on a new partnership with leading AI firm Anthropic which will explore how the technology can be put to work to transform the public services that UK citizens rely on, and deliver on the government’s Plan for Change.

The Prime Minister will join President Trump at the White House on Thursday, where he will be greeted by the President before signing the White House Guest Book and a tete a tete at the Oval Office. This will be followed by a bilateral lunch, and a joint press conference. He will also carry out a defence focused visit.

On arrival on Wednesday night, he will meet a select group of CEOs from large US businesses to discuss their existing and growing presence in the UK, and the importance of UK-US trade and investment. He will outline the strength of the UK offer to investors: policy stability; an active partnership with government; an open, trading economy; and a reform agenda focused on making it easier to do business.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who will join the Prime Minister’s programme at the White House.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 25 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Macron this afternoon.

The Prime Minister said he was looking forward to travelling to the US this week and the leaders reflected on President Macron’s visit to Washington yesterday. They agreed that President Trump’s leadership in working towards a durable peace in Ukraine was welcome.

They both reiterated that Ukraine must be at the heart of any negotiations, and the UK and Europe are ready to play our part.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon, after the Prime Minister returns from Washington D.C.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 25 February 2025.

The Prime Minister has today (Tuesday 25 February) set out his commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027.

As the UK faces a period of profound change, with conflicts overseas undermining security and prosperity at home, the Prime Minister has today (Tuesday 25 February) set out that his commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027.

He has also set an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament, as economic and fiscal conditions allow, in order to keep the British people safe and secure for generations to come.

As set out in the Plan for Change, national security is the first duty of the government. In recent years, the world has been reshaped by global instability, including Russian aggression in Ukraine, increasing threats from malign actors, rapid technological change, and the accelerating impacts of climate change.

The Prime Minister has today set out how the UK will be stepping up to meet this generational challenge with a generational response.

The announcement comes the day after the third anniversary of Russia’s barbaric illegal war in Ukraine and shows that the UK will step up and meet this pivotal moment of global instability head-on, with a commitment that will see the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.

The Prime Minister knows that the working people of Britain have paid the cost of malign actors abroad, whether through increased energy bills, or threats to British interests and values. He is committed to making the country safer, more secure, and increasingly resilient against these interconnected threats.

Today’s announcement demonstrates the UK’s global leadership in this space. In calls with foreign leaders over the weekend, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to securing a just and enduring peace in Ukraine and the need for Europe to step up for the good of collective European security.

The investment in defence will protect UK citizens from threats at home but will also create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can thrive, supporting the Government’s number one mission to deliver economic growth.

The increased spending will sustain our globally competitive industry, supporting highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the whole of the UK. In 2023-24, defence spending by the UK Government supported over 430,000 jobs across the UK, the equivalent to one in every 60.

68% of defence spending goes to businesses outside London and the South East, bolstering regional economies from Scotland to the North West.

Through the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, this substantial investment will drive R&D and innovation across the UK, including developing technologies such as AI, quantum and space capabilities.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

It is my first duty as Prime Minister to keep our country safe. In an ever more dangerous world, increasing the resilience of our country so we can protect the British people, resist future shocks and bolster British interests, is vital.

In my Plan for Change, I pledged to improve the lives of people in every corner of the UK, by growing the economy. By spending more on defence, we will deliver the stability that underpins economic growth, and will unlock prosperity through new jobs, skills and opportunity across the country.

As we enter this new era for national security, Britain will once again lead the way.

In addition to our plan to reach 2.5%, the Prime Minister also announced that the definition of defence spending will be updated to recognise what our security and intelligence agencies do to boost our security, as well as our military. This change means that the UK will now spend 2.6% of GDP on defence in 2027.

This shift recognises that the activities of our intelligence increasingly overlap and complement that of our Armed Forces, emphasising the need for total deterrence against the modern hybrid threats we face, from cyber-attacks to sabotage.

The increase in defence spending will be funded by reducing Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI and reinvesting it into defence.

This difficult choice reflects the evolving nature of the threat and the strategic shift required to meet it whilst maintaining economic stability, a core foundation of the Plan for Change. Meeting the fiscal rules is non-negotiable, and the government will take the tough but necessary decisions to ensure they are met.

The UK remains fully committed to making the world a safer and more prosperous place. In the current geopolitical environment, the Prime Minister is clear that the best way to do that is by deterring and preventing conflict and targeting our aid more effectively. For example, we have delivered an increase of £113m in humanitarian funding for people in Sudan and those who have fled to neighbouring countries, which will help to reduce migration flows to the UK and help address one of the major humanitarian crises of our era.

The government remains committed to reverting spending on overseas aid to 0.7% of Gross National Income, when the fiscal conditions allow.

This comes alongside an ongoing review into ODA spend which will ensure that every pound of development assistance is spent in the most impactful way.

This increase in defence investment will help us build a modern and resilient Armed Forces. It will accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge capabilities that are vital to retain a decisive edge as threats rapidly evolve. Targeted investment will reverse the hollowing out of recent decades and rebuild stockpiles, munitions, and enablers depleted after a period focused on international terrorism and global crises.

This modernisation will be supported through improved productivity, efficiency, and financial discipline across defence.

The Prime Minister has also committed to publishing a single new national security strategy, bringing together all reviews into one document and reflecting the decisions on resource set out today. This will be published following the Spring Statement next month and ahead of the NATO Summit in June.

The new commitment on spending comes ahead of Prime Minister’s visit to Washington DC this week, where he will tell President Trump that he wants to see the UK-USA bilateral relationship strengthened and deepened even further, to secure the prosperity and security of both nations for decades to come.

The government has already significantly increased investment in its national security capabilities, increasing spending on defence by nearly £3 billion in this year alone at the Budget. In addition to growing the defence budget, spending on the Single Intelligence Account was increased by around £340 million between 2023-24 and 2025-26, ensuring that our world-leading intelligence agencies maintain their cutting-edge capabilities.

Notes to editors

Defence spending benefits every nation and region of the country – 68% of defence spend with UK businesses goes outside of London and the South East. In 2023-2024, the MOD spent the following across the UK:

• £7.1bn in the South East
• £6.9bn in the South West
• £3.8bn in the North West
• £2.1bn in Scotland
• £2.1bn in London
• £1.6bn in the West Midlands
• £1.5bn in the East of England
• £1.4bn in the East Midlands
• £910m in Wales
• £630m in Yorkshire and the Humber
• £380m in the North East
• £240m in Northern Ireland

This spending supported a breadth of industry specialisms across the country. Early work on the Defence Industrial Strategy suggests that the following UK sub-sectors have the highest growth potential: AI, autonomous systems, combat air, cyber, missiles, nuclear submarines, quantum, shipbuilding design and space.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte this evening.

Ahead of the three-year anniversary of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Prime Minister began by underscoring that Ukraine must be in the strongest position possible.

The leaders agreed that there could be no negotiations about Ukraine, without Ukraine. They agreed it was important for Europe to step up in order to ensure European security.

The Prime Minister said he would continue to have these vital discussions with international partners, including during his visit to Washington D.C.

They agreed to speak soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke with the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau this evening.

The discussion began by reflecting ahead of tomorrow’s call with G7 and European leaders, to mark three years since Russia’s full-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine – a grim reminder of the continued suffering of the people of Ukraine.

They both underscored their unwavering commitment to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going forward.

The leaders reiterated that working together alongside other international leaders was essential to achieve lasting peace and security in Ukraine.

They agreed to keep in touch, with both looking forward to speaking again during Monday’s call, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Trudeau.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke with President Macron this afternoon.

They began by discussing the third anniversary of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which is a stark reminder that we must all work together to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position at this crucial moment for global security.

The Prime Minister repeated the UK’s steadfast commitment to support Ukraine for as long as needed and reiterated the importance of Ukraine being at the centre of any negotiations to end the conflict.

The UK and Europe must continue stepping up to meet their security needs and show united leadership in support of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, which they would both discuss in the US in the coming week.

The leaders agreed to stay in close contact.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 February 2025.

Sir Keir Starmer announces £200 million investment to propel long term future for Grangemouth.

• Transformational commitment to support investment in Grangemouth community through National Wealth Fund.
• Project Willow to report shortly on long-term future of industrial site.
• Grangemouth Training Guarantee to support refinery workers into new jobs – as part of the Plan for Change.

The National Wealth Fund will provide £200 million of investment to new opportunities in Grangemouth as part of a major intervention to ensure the long-term future of the industrial site, the Prime Minister announced today [Sunday 23 February].

The funding will be available for co-investment with the private sector to help unlock Grangemouth’s full potential and secure our clean energy future.

The UK Government is also providing a ‘training guarantee’ for all Grangemouth refinery staff to ensure that any worker who would like skills training at the local college is supported, with funding provided by the UK Government – this will help workers into new, good jobs with local employers.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“My government has already taken decisive action to protect good British jobs in industries that are vital for our economic security: saving Harland and Wolff, investing in the future of Hitachi in North-East England, a new plan for an electric arc furnace at Port Talbot – secured this week.

“We will grasp the opportunities at Grangemouth, work alongside partners to develop viable proposals and team up with business to get new industries off the ground.

“And to attract private investment into the partnership we need we will allocate £200 million from the National Wealth Fund for investment in Grangemouth – an investment in Scotland’s industrial future.”

The announcement comes on top of existing investments from the UK Government, in partnership with the Scottish Government, to ensure the long-term economic future of the area. These investments are a strong commitment to people in the central belt, and include:

• The £100 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal, delivered jointly with the Scottish Government, to support the community and its workers by investing in local energy projects to create new opportunities for growth in the region.
• Joined-up support from DWP and DESNZ to provide tailored career and skills support for refinery workers to assist in finding new employment.
• The £1.5 million Project Willow feasibility study, jointly funded with the Scottish Government, to identify credible long-term industrial options for the Grangemouth site.

The Prime Minister has also reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to working in partnership with the Scottish Government to identify a viable, low carbon industrial future for the Grangemouth site.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

“We have always said that we will leave no stone unturned in seeking a sustainable industrial future for Grangemouth and its workers.

“Alongside our ongoing support for affected workers, this investment will help unlock the site’s long-term potential, with the backing of the private sector. This will create good jobs in vital new industries and drive growth and investment in the local community as part of our Plan for Change.”

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

“The UK Government has been working at speed to ensure a long-term future for Grangemouth and the National Wealth Fund allocation announced today demonstrates our commitment to this.

“We remain committed to working closely with the Scottish Government and other partners to support the refinery workers and ensure the long-term future of this site.”

Project Willow, the co-funded initiative which is examining the green-energy future of the industrial site, is expected to produce its report in the spring.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Any National Wealth Fund investment will be subject to investible propositions and the Fund’s criteria – the proposition must deliver a positive return, drive regional and economic growth or support activity to tackle climate change, invest in key sectors, and crowd in private finance.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 22 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Finland Alexander Stubb this afternoon.

The Prime Minister began by reiterating the need to secure enduring peace for Ukraine and bring an end to Russia’s illegal war.

The leaders agreed the need for Europe to step up support to achieve this, and the Prime Minister said the UK is ready to play a role in future security guarantees.

They agreed to stay in close contact.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 22 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen this morning.

Ahead of the three-year anniversary of Russia’s barbaric illegal war, they discussed the need to secure a just and enduring peace in Ukraine, and agreed that Europe must step up for the good of collective European security.

The Prime Minister said he would continue to have these important discussions in coming days and weeks, including during his visit to Washington D.C.

The leaders agreed to stay in close contact.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre this morning.

The Prime Minister began by setting out his aims for the informal meeting of European leaders taking place later today in Paris to discuss the situation in Ukraine.

Ensuring Ukraine is in the strongest possible position is paramount, and they both agreed that all international leaders must come together to ensure Euro-Atlantic security.

The Prime Minister reiterated that this is a once in a generation moment for our national security and there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.

The leaders agreed to stay in touch.