Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 December 2024.

The Prime Minister joined a virtual meeting of G7 Leaders this afternoon.

Discussing the unfolding situation in Syria, the Prime Minister said that the fall of Assad’s brutal regime should be welcomed, but we must be mindful about what comes next. The priority should be the safety of the Syrian people while supporting a political transition which leads to credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance on behalf of all Syrians.

All leaders agreed that Syria’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty must be respected throughout the transition process and in future.

Turning to Ukraine, the Prime Minister said that with Putin showing no sign of relenting, it is vital that we bolster our support to put them in the best possible position for the future.

He called on fellow G7 leaders to continue maximising Putin’s pain by increasing military support to the Ukrainians and ramping up economic pressure, including via further sanctions where possible.

All leaders agreed the unity of the G7 will be critical during a volatile time in the world, and that as like-minded allies, we must work together to ensure international stability and security.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 December 2024.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer and the President of the European Council António Costa met in Downing Street this afternoon.

In their first meeting, the two leaders affirmed the intention to strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, agreeing on the vital importance of closer collaboration between like-minded partners at an increasingly volatile time for the world.

The President invited the Prime Minister to attend a session of the informal meeting of the EU leaders in Brussels on 3 February. The Prime Minister was pleased to accept the invitation and looked forward to discussing enhanced strategic co-operation with the EU, notably on defence.

The two leaders also discussed current geopolitical challenges. They reiterated their unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed.

They also discussed the situation and the latest developments in the Middle East. Turning to Syria, they agreed on the importance of ensuring a peaceful transition towards long-term political stability following the fall of Assad’s brutal regime.

They reaffirmed that the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, are the foundation of relations between the UK and EU, and restated their joint commitment to the full and faithful implementation of those agreements.

They also looked ahead to the first EU-UK Summit in early 2025, agreeing this would provide an important opportunity to make further progress on key areas to deliver tangible benefits for the people of the UK and the EU.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 December 2024.

The King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Esther Tamisa Prior, Vicar of St John the Baptist Egham and Honorary Canon at Guildford Cathedral, for appointment as Suffragan Bishop of Aston in the Diocese of Birmingham, in succession to The Right Reverend Anne Hollinghurst following her resignation and appointment as Principal of the Queens Foundation.

Background

Esther was educated at the University of Zimbabwe and trained for ministry at Trinity College, Bristol. She was ordained priest in 2004 and served her title at Redland Parish Church in the Diocese of Bristol, and St John’s, Deptford, in the Diocese of Southwark.

In 2008, Esther was appointed Associate Minister at St Matthew’s, Borstal, additionally serving as Chaplain at Blackheath Bluecoat Church of England School until 2009 and as Prison Chaplain for Cookham Wood from 2010. Esther was appointed Team Vicar at St John, Cove, in the Diocese of Guildford, in 2011 and in 2018 took up her current role as Vicar of St John the Baptist, Egham.

Esther is married to Matt, who is also ordained, and they have two teenaged children.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 28 November 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this morning.

The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine. The leaders discussed the egregious Russian missile strike in the early hours of this morning, which had deprived more than a million people of heat, light and electricity.

Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector was depraved, the Prime Minister said.

Both leaders underlined the importance of putting Ukraine in the best possible position ahead of another challenging winter of conflict.

The leaders also discussed Ukraine’s long-term future, and how investment in the country’s security today would support Europe’s broader security for generations to come.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 November 2024.

The King has approved the nomination of Reverend Canon David Bull, Team Rector of Great Marlow with Marlow Bottom, Little Marlow and Bisham, in the Diocese of Oxford, as Suffragan Bishop of Buckingham in the Diocese of Oxford in succession to Bishop Alan Wilson following his sudden death.

Background

Dave was educated at Worcester College Oxford and trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served his title at St. Mary’s Reigate, in the Diocese of Southwark, and was ordained priest in 2009.

In 2012, Dave took up his current role as Team Rector and was additionally appointed Area Dean of Wycombe in 2016.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 November 2024.

The King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Mary Gregory, Canon Residentiary for Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral, for nomination to the Suffragan See of Reading, in the Diocese of Oxford, in succession to Bishop Olivia Graham, following her retirement.

Background

Mary was educated at Birmingham University and St John’s College, Durham and trained for ministry at Cranmer Hall, Durham. She served her title at St Lawrence, Hatfield, in the Diocese of Sheffield and in 2006, was ordained priest. From 2008, Mary served as Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Kirk Sandall and Edenthorpe and from 2013, she was additionally appointed Dean of Women’s Ministry.

In 2015, Mary was appointed Team Rector of the Flagstaff Family of Churches, in the Diocese of Leicester, also serving as Diocesan Rural Mission Enabler from 2020. Mary has served in her current role as Canon Residentiary for Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral since 2022.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 November 2024.

The Prime Minister has officially launched the UK-led Global Clean Power Alliance today, in a major boost for the world’s clean energy transition.

Brazil, Australia, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Morocco, Norway, Tanzania, the African Union are the first countries to sign up to its first mission. The United States and the European Union will also partner with the UK on the initiative.

At the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the Prime Minister and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed the new partnership, saying that it will speed up the global drive for clean power by uniting developed and developing countries across the north and south.

The alliance of countries will work together and share expertise with the goal of meeting the COP28 commitments to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency.

The Global Clean Power Alliance will have ‘Missions’ to address the most critical energy transition challenges. The first of these is the Finance Mission, which will be published today and co-chaired by Brazil, will harness the political leadership needed to unlock private finance on a huge scale, so that no developing country is left behind.

It commits to supporting countries to build investment platforms and providing the assistance needed to get clean finance flowing.

The UK is leading the way on the green energy transition. One of the Prime Minister’s missions is to make Britain a clean energy superpower – making the British people better off by investing in clean homegrown power to end national exposure to fossil fuel markets and the dictators who control them.

The UK has already seen £34.8 billion of private investment into homegrown clean energy industries since July – unlocking thousands of jobs and making the British people better off.

There are already around 640,000 people employed in green jobs across the UK – a rise of 20% from 2020 to 2022, growing at a rate 4 times faster than overall UK employment.

The UK’s success highlights the potential for the global transition, as well as marking the return to responsible global leadership on the biggest challenges of our time.

Since taking office in July, the government has also lifted the de facto ban on onshore wind, pledged to end new oil and gas licences and launched the new national clean power company GB Energy.

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said:

The UK is already leading the way in the clean power transition – we’ve phased out coal power, lifted the ban on onshore wind and launched GB Energy – but we will not stop there.

We want our clean energy ambitions to go global, so it is fantastic news that multiple other countries are now on board with the UK-led Global Clean Power Alliance.

I will restore the UK’s role as a climate leader on the world stage – and this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make sure we face up to the climate crisis head-on, while delivering more jobs, growth and prosperity for people across the entire planet.

Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, said:

Speeding up the global clean energy transition is in Britain’s national interest – it is the route to the jobs of the future, energy security and tackling the climate crisis.

The UK is back in the business of climate leadership and that means working more closely with other countries to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and unlock the rewards of cheap, secure and clean power at home and abroad.

Brazil signing up to our finance mission is a huge vote of confidence ahead of the crucial COP30 summit in Belem next year, sending a strong message to the world that together we can accelerate the clean energy revolution.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:

The climate crisis is the greatest challenge the world faces and tackling it is essential for Britain’s national security, energy security and economic growth.

Britain is back leading from the front on climate change at home and abroad. Working with allies and partners, the Global Clean Power Alliance will turbocharge the rollout of clean power worldwide and support our mission to become a clean energy superpower.

Our partnership with Brazil, who will co-lead the first GCPA Mission on Finance, will scale up clean energy investment and help meet our climate goals.

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

The Prime Minister has announced that UK-India trade talks will relaunch in the new year, following a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit.

Boosting trade abroad is essential to delivering a strong economy at home. The UK is committed to negotiating a trade deal with India – one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

The UK will seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a trade agreement, as well as deepening co-operation in areas like security, education, technology, and climate change.

The Business and Trade Secretary announced the UK’s commitment to relaunching talks with Free Trade Agreement partners in July. Since then, negotiations have been kickstarted with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Switzerland and South Korea. The UK is also set to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on 15 December.

The Department for Business and Trade will soon unveil the government’s new Trade Strategy, aligned with the Industrial Strategy, to help inform future trade talks and achieve long-term sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth through trade.

The Prime Minister is using his trip to the G20 in Brazil to strengthen ties with the world’s leading economic powers to drive growth and deliver for the British people at home.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Boosting economic growth is key to improving living standards for working people.

A new trade deal with India will support jobs and prosperity in the UK – and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across our country.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

India is the fifth largest economy in the world and a vital trading partner for the UK. We believe there is a good deal to be done here that works for both nations.

Whether it’s lowering Indian tariffs to help British firms export to this dynamic market or boosting investment which already supports over 600,000 jobs across both countries, striking a deal is important to deliver this Government’s core mission of driving economic growth.

A deal with India would boost the UK’s trading relationship, worth £42 billion in the 12 months to June 2024. UK exports to India are worth £16.6 billion.

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

The Prime Minister met the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese at the G20 Summit in Brazil today.

Prime Minister Albanese began by asking about the recently announced UK Budget. The Prime Minister said he was committed to fixing the foundations of the country, prioritising economic growth and delivering for the British people.

They discussed their ongoing commitment to climate collaboration and looked forward to the work of the Australia-UK Climate and Energy Partnership, launched last month at CHOGM.

At a challenging time for the world, both leaders reiterated their commitment to the AUKUS defence and security partnership, which will advance a free and open Indo-Pacific while maintaining peace and stability.

The Prime Minister reiterated the need for G20 leaders to double down on support for Ukraine. Both agreed that they would do whatever it takes to ensure Putin does not win.

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

The Prime Minister met President Xi Jinping of China at the G20 Summit in Brazil today.

The Prime Minister began by setting out that as G20 countries and members of the UN Security Council, the UK and China have a shared responsibility to work together in pursuit of global stability, economic co-operation and the clean energy transition.

They also discussed deepening the partnership bilaterally on trade and investment, health, education and other areas of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister set out that our approach would be consistent, respectful and pragmatic in order to advance these shared goals.

On climate in particular, both said that this should be high on the agenda and there was more work to be done to accelerate global progress towards net zero. Both the UK and China have an important role to play in support of the global clean power transition.

The Prime Minister said that he also wanted to engage honestly and frankly on those areas where we have different perspectives, including on Hong Kong, human rights and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

He reiterated that his approach would always be rooted in the national interests of the UK, but that we would be a predictable and pragmatic partner.

They discussed next steps and agreed that the Chancellor should visit Beijing next year to discuss economic and financial cooperation with her counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng.