Tag: Downing Street

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

The Prime Minister spoke to Finnish President Alexander Stubb this morning.

The leaders discussed the subsea cable damage that took place on Christmas Day and the Prime Minister welcomed Finland’s response and praised the success of the operation. The two agreed to share findings on the source and intent of this incident and to work together with NATO Allies to prevent sabotage activity against undersea cables in future.

They agreed that collaboration between allies in the region would continue to be vital, including through the work of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), and underscored the importance of respecting international law.

The two discussed their ironclad support for Ukraine and their hopes for a path towards peace on Ukraine’s terms.

Finally, the leaders discussed the UK’s EU reset, and talked about ambitions for closer economic and security ties between the UK and the EU.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

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

The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal this morning.

They discussed recent damage to subsea cables and Estonia’s response, and the Prime Minister underscored the UK’s commitment to security in the Baltic Sea region. On a related point, they raised concerns about the potential environmental impact of the Russian Shadow Fleet and the risk of oil spills. They agreed upon the importance of continued collaboration.

The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Michal for hosting the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Summit in December. The two reflected on how they welcomed their visit with UK troops in the region together during the Prime Minister’s visit to Estonia.

The leaders went on to discuss their commitment to ensuring Ukraine is in the strongest possible position and reaffirmed their commitment to the country’s future membership of NATO.

They also reflected on ambitions for an even stronger relationship through the UK’s reset with the EU.

The two looked forward to seeing each other again soon.

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

Millions of patients will be able to access more appointments closer to home and get the treatment they need faster under a new plan to tackle hospital backlogs.

Millions of patients will be able to access more appointments closer to home and get the treatment they need faster under a new plan to tackle hospital backlogs set out by the PM today [Monday 6th January].

Tackling the 7.5million strong waiting list inherited by the government so that the NHS once again meets the 18 week standard for planned treatment is a key milestone in the government’s Plan for Change. Restoring this standard will mean millions of patients no longer have to have their lives put on hold.

Currently, too many patients face long waits for appointments or surgeries and may be referred to hospitals they don’t choose at inconvenient times, while appointments and staff time are being lost to inefficiencies or inconsistencies in care.

The Elective Reform Plan, published today [Monday 6th January] by NHS England, sets out a whole system approach to hitting the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament. This includes expanded use of Community Diagnostic Centres so that many more people will be able to access tests and checks while going about their daily lives, and the NHS will also increase the number of surgical hubs, which help protect planned care from the impact of seasonal and other pressures.

The plan will drive forward progress on the government’s first steps commitment to deliver 2 million extra appointments in its first year, equivalent to 40,000 every week. The reforms will put patients first, harness technology to support staff and help the NHS to do things more efficiently.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

This Government promised change and that is what I am fighting every day to deliver.

NHS backlogs have ballooned in recent years, leaving millions of patients languishing on waiting lists, often in pain or fear. Lives on hold. Potential unfulfilled.

This elective reform plan will deliver on our promise to end the backlogs. Millions more appointments. Greater choice and convenience for patients. Staff once again able to give the standard of care they desperately want to.

This is a key plank of our Plan for Change, which will drive growth that puts more money in people’s pockets, secures our borders and makes the NHS fit for the future so what working people live longer, healthier, more prosperous lives.

Up to half a million more appointments a year are expected to be created in total by opening Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) for longer and bringing 17 new and expanded surgical hubs online. Opening Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) 12 hours a day, seven days a week wherever possible will mean people can access a broader range of more appointments closer to home in their neighbourhoods. This will make sure they are treated more quickly and more conveniently, rather than having to rely on hospitals.

The plans also involve increasing the availability of same-day tests and consultations so that patients don’t have to wait for weeks in between different stages of care. They will also expand the range of tests available at CDCs so people get better access to treatment, and enabling GPs to direct patients straight to diagnostic testing so that they receive their tests quicker, before having to see a specialist – in turn saving them time and travel.

Alongside the extended hours for CDCs, 14 new surgical hubs will be created within existing hospitals by June and three others expanded – with more expected in coming years supported by the £1.5bn capital investment confirmed at the Autumn budget. These will bring together the necessary expertise, best practice and tech under one roof to focus on delivering the most common, less complex procedures. The new hubs will be ring-fenced from winter pressures and will cut waiting lists for standard surgeries, in turn freeing up beds in acute wards needed for more complex cases.

Under the plan, 65% of patients will be treated within 18 weeks by the end of next year. Based on the size of the current waiting list, that would mean a fall of more than 450k people waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

We inherited record long waiting lists, impacting patients’ lives and their livelihoods. Only the combination of investment and radical reform can turn this around, as we’re setting out today.

Our Plan for Change set an ambitious target to cut maximum wait times from 18 months to 18 weeks, and we will achieve it by bringing care closer to home and give patients more choice over their treatment.

The NHS should work around patients’ lives, not the other way around. By opening community diagnostic centres on high streets 12 hours a day, seven days a week, patients will now be able to arrange their tests and scans for when they go to do their weekend shopping, rather than being forced to take time out of work.

The reforms we’re launching today will free up millions of appointments, so the NHS can be there for us when we need it once again.

NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, said:

NHS staff have worked tirelessly to bring down the longest waits, treating record numbers of elective patients last year, but with one in nine people currently on a waiting list it is right that we now go further and faster.

This ambitious blueprint will build on our progress and support hard working NHS staff to deliver faster routine care for patients with the aim of treating nine in 10 within 18 weeks by the end of this Parliament.

The radical reforms in this plan will not only allow us to deliver millions more tests, appointments and operations, but do things differently too – boosting convenience and putting more power in the hands of patients, especially through the NHS app.

The reforms set out today are focused on doing things differently by putting patients first, looking at their treatment in the round and empowering them with more choice and control so that care is more convenient and fits better into their lives.

Further measures include:

• Using the NHS app to give patients greater choice and control over their treatment. This includes making sure patients can get better access to information via the app, such as the details of their appointments, results and waiting times, and use it to book appointments in the location of their choice, with information about waiting times and patient satisfaction.
• Preventing unnecessary referrals. GPs will be funded to work with hospital doctors to get specialist advice before making referrals, so that more patients get the care they need without being referred onto the waiting list.
• Giving patients choice over non essential follow up appointments as part of a drive to free up around 1 million appointments a year for those who need them.
• Making more appointments available in the community instead of hospitals. More treatment for five specialties with particular pressure on waiting lists will also be made available outside of hospital through targeted reforms, including Ear Nose and Throat services, where around 30% of referrals currently made to secondary care could be provided in the community.
• Making convenience for patients a priority through the roll out of innovative ‘collective care’ approaches, for example, one stop clinics where patients can be assessed, diagnosed or reviewed on the same day; where appropriate, offering group appointments where patients with long term conditions may benefit from being supported together; opening ‘super clinics’ which bring together a wider range of clinicians to oversee patient care under the oversight of a consultant, increasing the number of patients seen in a day.
• Driving up patient experience through a set of national standards for elective care. We will publish minimum standards that patients should expect to experience in elective care, including giving patients a shortlist of providers to choose from and clarity on how long they are likely to wait. In turn these standards will make it easier to identify where performance is falling short and how to improve it.

Harnessing the benefits of new technology and AI is a central part of the government’s mission to rebuild the NHS. Healthcare providers will be supported through these reforms to use technology to tackle inefficiencies holding up appointments.

For example, focused action across the healthcare system – including drawing on predictions by AI on which appointments are most likely to be missed – will help save up to 1 million missed appointments. Remote monitoring technology – for example, using wearable tech to collect vital health data on patients without them having to see a healthcare professional face to face – will also be deployed more widely to help provide more personalised and more efficient care, ensuring appointments are scheduled because of clinical need, not just at routine intervals.

Reform will also tackle deep seated structural issues which have held back improvements to date by bringing funding mechanisms, performance oversight and delivery standards together with incentives for positive change. This will ensure the system is set up in a way that rewards and actively drives improvements.

Trusts who make the fastest improvements in cutting waiting times will be rewarded with additional funding for capital projects tailored to local needs. This could include investment in cutting edge AI diagnostic equipment or hospital ward maintenance.

There will also be greater transparency on performance and support in place for providers facing the greatest challenges, and new support for clinical and operational leaders on how to deliver more effective elective pathways.

The plan will also provide greater funding certainty, to help commissioners deliver their operational planning with more stability over their finances.

Tackling waiting lists is the first step in the government’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future, as set out in the Plan for Change.

At the heart of this mission are three big reform shifts, which will be central to the 10-Year Health Plan currently being developed in consultation with NHS staff and the wider public and set to be published in spring 2025: hospital to community; analogue to digital; and sickness to prevention.

These are fundamental and necessary reforms in the way our health services deliver care and address the inherited challenges facing the NHS that Lord Darzi identified in his report published last year.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 December 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to President-elect Donald Trump this afternoon from Downing Street.

The Prime Minister began by congratulating President-elect Trump on his recent team appointments and President-elect Trump warmly recounted his meeting with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in Paris earlier this month.

Both agreed on their joint ambition to strengthen the close and historic relationship between the UK and the US. They looked forward to working together on shared priorities, including international security and delivering economic growth and prosperity.

Turning to global conflicts, the Prime Minister reiterated the need for allies to stand together with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position.

On the Middle East, the Prime Minister underscored the need to work together to ensure peace and security in the region.

They agreed to keep in touch and looked forward to seeing one another at the earliest opportunity.

The press release issued by Downing Street on 18 December 2024.

A business delegation of 13 Indian companies met with the UK’s Prime Minister and senior Cabinet Ministers in a curated visit to enhance the UK-India partnership.

• Boosting investment, creating jobs, and delivering on the shared ambition of economic growth were on the agenda.
• The companies have collectively invested over £10 billion into the UK and employ tens of thousands of people across the country.

The Prime Minister has hosted a group of Indian investors and CEOs to harness perspectives on opportunities for investment and economic growth between the UK and India.

The visit follows the Prime Minister’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi at the G20 where they committed to take forward an ambitious UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with collaboration opportunities on economic growth, security and defence, technology, climate, health, and education.

The delegation, supported by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), discussed deepening the bilateral partnership with the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds and Minister of State Douglas Alexander also met with the delegation to discuss opportunities under a UK-India trade deal.

With total trade already worth £42 billion and supporting over 600,000 jobs across both economies, the UK and India are negotiating a trade deal that can further economic growth and deliver on the Prime Minister’s plan for Change.

Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said:

India is a vital partner for the UK and we have huge ambition to unlock more opportunities together, building on our already strong relationship. I’m delighted to welcome some of India’s most senior business leaders to Downing Street and to outline the UK’s ambitious focus on economic growth and innovation.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

As one of the most globally connected economies in the G20, the UK provides unmatched opportunities for Indian businesses to thrive.

India already accounts for the second highest number of FDI projects into the UK, and this Government is committed to deepening our trade and investment links with India even further.

Boosting investment is a mission at the heart of this government. It was great to hear first-hand from Indian business leaders on why so many of them have given us a vote of confidence and chosen to invest here.

Sunil Bharti Mittal KBE, Leader of the Delegation, Past President, CII and Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises said:

This business delegation comes at a pivotal moment, as India stands as the fastest-growing large economy and is on track to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2027. Over time, India-UK relations have developed into a robust, multifaceted partnership built on historical ties, economic synergy, and increasing geopolitical alignment.

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations present significant opportunities for mutual growth and cooperation. We are optimistic that this delegation will pave the way for numerous successful business collaborations. We shall seek guidance from Prime Minister Starmer on the sectors that may exhibit better collaboration opportunities.

The delegation finished the day at an evening reception hosted by the High Commission of India in London.

Further information

• Pictures are available on Flickr here.
• The business delegation of leading Indian companies includes: Bharti Enterprises, Bharat Semi Systems, Biocon Group, Blue Star Limited, Essar Group, Hero Enterprise, Jet Synthesis, Piramal Group, Reliance Industries, Tata Steel, TVS Motor Company, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, and UPL Limited.
• On 18 November 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he announced that UK-India trade talks will relaunch in the new year.
• Foreign Secretary David Lammy met External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Prime Minister Modi in July 2024 in New Delhi. His visit saw the launch of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI).
• According to Grant Thornton, there are 971 Indian companies in the UK employing 118,430 people and 667 UK companies in India, employing 523,460 people.
• In 2023-24, India was the UK’s second largest source of investment in terms of number of new projects for the fifth consecutive year; total 108 projects creating 7,533 new jobs.
• Prime Minister Starmer made a speech on the government’s Plan for Change on 5 December 2024, available here.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 December 2024.

The Prime Minister met the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, in a trilateral meeting following the Joint Expeditionary Force summit today.

The leaders reflected on a broad range of shared global challenges, including how to shore up European security in the face of an increasingly aggressive Russia.

It was vital to consolidate and increase support for Ukraine, as the frontline of European security, the Prime Minister said.

Reflecting on the JEF, the Prime Minister said it was a prime example of greater cooperation and collaboration to meet the threats of the 21st century.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 December 2024.

The Prime Minister met Ulf Kristersson, the Prime Minister of Sweden, in Tallinn this afternoon following a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force.

The UK and Sweden were great Allies and strong partners, with a shared approach to global challenges, the leaders agreed.

Turning to Ukraine, the leaders underscored the need to put the country in the strongest possible position, so they could fight through 2025.

The deployment of DPRK soldiers to the frontline in Russia further emphasised the global nature of Putin’s war and the indivisibility of Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security, the leaders noted.

The Prime Minister also updated Prime Minister Kristersson on his EU reset.

Across defence, security, trade and growth, there was an opportunity to be ambitious about a new relationship with the EU that would deliver a better Brexit for the hardworking British people, the Prime Minister said.

The leaders looked forward to seeing each other again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 December 2024.

The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Kristen Michal ahead of the Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Tallin this morning.

The Prime Minister began by thanking Prime Minister Michal for hosting such a successful and important summit at a crucial time for European security.

The leaders reflected on the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) dinner last night and the group’s strong support for Ukraine, which was underscored by action, rather than warm words. They discussed the importance of increasing pressure on Putin through further military and economic support for Ukraine, and the strategic use of sanctions.

Estonia and the UK were vital defence and security partners, and that cooperation continued to go from strength-to-strength, the leaders agreed.

It was further exemplified by the opening of a new London headquarters for Estonian defence firm Frankenburg Technologies today, the Prime Ministers noted.

Updating on his EU reset, the Prime Minister said that he believed a closer relationship between the UK and EU countries would bring benefits for both British and EU citizens across a wide range of areas, including in growth and security.

Turning to the clean energy agenda, the Prime Minister updated on his successful visit to Norway yesterday, and his mission to deliver clean power by 2030 and accelerate to net zero. The leaders agreed on the need to go further and faster to support energy security and lower costs for bill payers.

They looked forward to speaking again at the JEF summit.

The press release issued by Downing Street on 17 December 2024.

The UK has provided £35 million of emergency support to help Ukraine repair its energy grid and support the most vulnerable through a third winter of war, the Prime Minister has announced today.

The UK has provided £35 million of emergency support to help Ukraine repair its energy grid and support the most vulnerable through a third winter of war, the Prime Minister has announced today.

It comes as the UK also reinforces its iron-clad support for Ukraine by launching fresh sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector.  Today’s sanctions target 20 shadow fleet ships carrying illicit Russian oil, including Ocean Faye, Andaman Skies and Mianzimu, which have each carried more than four million barrels of Russian oil in 2024.

Key lynchpins in enabling the trading of Putin’s precious oil, 2Rivers DMCC and 2Rivers PTE LTD have also been slapped with sanctions. These new measures will further drain Putin’s war chest, by clamping down on the oil revenues he so desperately needs to fuel his illegal war and put those who enable Russia’s oil exports on notice.

The UK has now sanctioned over 100 ships for transporting Russian energy, including 93 oil tankers, more than any other nation. Due to sustained efforts to lead the charge against the shadow fleet, its ships are left idling uselessly outside ports, which is costing Putin and his war effort millions in wasted funds.

As the UK continues to bear down on the Kremlin, we are also working to protect against shadow fleet activity in the Baltic and North Sea. The UK has already spearheaded new action to challenge suspected shadow vessels passing through the English Channel to provide proof of insurance.

It comes as Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland and Estonia, alongside the UK, have now agreed to work together to challenge suspected shadow vessels in the same way along the Baltic route, and in doing so hold shadow vessels and their enablers to account for the risks they pose and the support they provide to Russia’s war machine.

This new drive for an international crack down on Putin’s illicit oil shipping delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment to tackle the shadow fleet at the EPC earlier this year.

It follows the worst period of Russian missile attacks since the start of the full-scale invasion, with an attack last month believed to have left a million Ukrainians without electricity.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

As Putin’s oil revenues continue to fuel the fires of his illegal war, Ukrainian families are enduring cold, dark nights, often without heating, light or electricity, targeted by Russia’s relentless missile attacks.

But these systematic attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure will not grind Ukraine down. It will only deepen our resolve and support.

These sanctions will add further pressure to Putin’s stalling war economy, just as we strengthen Ukraine’s hand with new funding for emergency support to meet its humanitarian needs and for vital repairs to the energy system, to help Ukrainians living through the third winter of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion.

The package of funding support includes a £20 million uplift to support emergency energy needs, as well as support for carrying out vital repairs to the electricity transmission network and providing further power generation capacity and critical protection for energy infrastructure.

This includes a project to generate an additional 20MW of power supply, enough to provide power to up to 20,000 homes.

A further £15 million will provide lifesaving humanitarian support to the most in need as temperatures in Ukraine plummet, while £5m will go to UNICEF to provide basic necessities. The UK is also reinforcing its iron-clad support for Ukraine by launching fresh sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector today.

£10 million will be delivered through UNHCR to provide more than 21,000 families with rapid thermal kits, shelter repairs, and additional cash payments for winter, as well as generators and support to local winterisation of collective centres housing vulnerable people who have been displaced from their homes by Russian aggression.

Russia has launched 11 large scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in 2024. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, at least two thirds of power generation has been damaged or destroyed. As winter bites, Ukrainians are suffering without power, lacking light and heating in sub-zero temperatures and dark evenings.

More than 14.6 million Ukrainians require humanitarian assistance, as months of attacks force more and more people from their homes. The UK’s funding will support communities to stem displacement.

More than two thirds of Ukraine’s energy generation capacity has been occupied, damaged or destroyed.

Notes to editors:

• The UK’s support to Ukraine is detailed here: UK support to Ukraine: factsheet – GOV.UK
• The Nordic-Baltic 8+ joint statement detailing a coordinated approach to requesting proof of insurance from suspected shadow vessels can be found here: Joint statement on further action to counter Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’
• Sanctioned today are:
  • 2Rivers DMCC
  • 2Rivers PTE LTD
  • IMO 9296822 (“SAGITTA”)
  • IMO 9408205 (“FAST KATHY”)
  • IMO 9248801 (“MU DAN”)
  • IMO 9321689 (“OCEAN FAYE”)
  • IMO 9318539 (“SWIFTSEA RIDER”)
  • IMO 9282479 (“MINERVA M”)
  • IMO 9288693 (“ANDAMAN SKIES”)
  • IMO 9257022 (“LACONIA”)
  • IMO 9253325 (“NURKEZ”)
  • IMO 9292981 (“SAGAR VIOLET”)
  • IMO 9292503 (“BULL”)
  • IMO 9288746 (“MARATHON”)
  • IMO 9281011 (“MOTI”)
  • IMO 9258868 (“ASHER”)
  • IMO 9332781 (“LANG YA”)
  • IMO 9323986 (“GARASAN”)
  • IMO 9255660 (“PONTUS I”)
  • IMO 9271951 (“FACCA”)
  • IMO 9299666 (“MIANZIMU”)
  • IMO 9293155 (“JUNIA”)

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 December 2024.

The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Bergen, Norway, today to sign a new Strategic Partnership.

Norway was one of the UK’s closest allies and an important defence and security partner, and a critical supporter of European security, the Prime Minister said.

Turning to the situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister said he was focused on putting the Ukrainians in the strongest possible position going into 2025. That included using mechanisms such as economic sanctions and the shadow fleet initiative to crack down on critical revenue sources funding Putin’s war machine.

The UK and Norway’s steadfast support for Ukraine was amplified throughout the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a grouping made up of some of Ukraine’s strongest and most ardent supporters, the leaders agreed.

Both Prime Ministers underscored the importance of the JEF, which was vital to supporting security in the North Atlantic and the Nordic and Baltic regions.

Discussing the need to outpace evolving threats, including in the cyber domain, the leaders agreed on the importance of working closely with NATO allies in all areas of defence and security.

The leaders also discussed the important cultural and education ties between the UK and Norway and welcomed the new North Sea University Partnership between the two countries. It was a further signal of the strong friendship between the two countries, the leaders said.

They looked forward to the JEF Summit later this evening.