Tag: Downing Street

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

The Prime Minister will reiterate the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine in a visit to the capital Kyiv today.

Later today, the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy will sign a historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation. The G7 nations agreed to provide Ukraine with bilateral security assurances at the NATO Summit in Vilnius last year; the UK is the first country to deliver a final agreement. The totemic agreement is intended to be the first step in developing an unshakeable hundred-year partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

The UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation formalises a range of support the UK has been and will continue to provide for Ukraine’s security, including intelligence sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defence industrial cooperation.

It also commits the UK to consult with Ukraine in the event it is ever attacked by Russia again, and to provide “swift and sustained” assistance for their defence.

Ahead of meeting President Zelenskyy, Rishi Sunak has also confirmed the UK will provide £2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2024/25, an increase of £200 million on the previous two years.

The funding will help to leverage the best of UK military expertise and defence production to ensure Ukraine’s victory on the battlefield, including in critical areas like long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

Of the £2.5 billion, at least £200 million will be spent on a major push to rapidly procure and produce thousands of military drones for Ukraine, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones. The technology will give Ukraine cutting edge, battle-tested capabilities to defend their citizens and target the invading Russian forces on land and sea.

This will be the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation. Most of the drones are expected to be manufactured in the UK, and the Ministry of Defence will work with international partners to significantly scale up the number of drones provided for Ukraine’s defence.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel a brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, unfaltering in their determination to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy.

I am here today with one message: the UK will also not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come.

“The UK is already one of Ukraine’s closest partners, because we recognise their security is our security. Today we are going further – increasing our military aid, delivering thousands of cutting-edge drones, and signing a historic new Security Agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term.”

During his visit to Kyiv, the Prime Minister is expected to meet emergency workers responding to the aftermath of Russian airstrikes. He will announce a further £18 million in aid for Ukraine, building on almost £340 million already provided. Some of that funding will support organisations like the UN and Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid on the frontline, and £8 million will go to fortify Ukraine’s energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks.

As part of efforts to cement the close bond between our two nations and Ukraine’s place at the heart of Europe, the UK will also provide additional funding and resources for English language training in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Government has proposed legislation to promote English in Ukraine, boosting economic competitiveness and diplomatic ties. Today’s announcement will see the UK fund online English lessons for Ukrainians of all ages, as well as providing resources and teacher training.

Today’s visit builds on months of direct diplomacy between the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy, as well as a world-leading record of UK military, diplomatic and economic support for Ukraine. With this latest funding, the UK has now provided almost £12 billion in support to Ukraine and has often been the first-mover on vital lethal aid, from Storm Shadow cruise missiles to a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks.

The statement made by 10 Downing Street on 12 January 2024.

Joint Statement from the governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Recognising the broad consensus as expressed by 44 countries around the world on December 19, 2023, as well as the statement by the UN Security Council on December 1, 2023, condemning Houthi attacks against merchant and commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, our governments issued a joint statement on January 3, 2024, which called for the immediate end of illegal attacks and warned that malign actors would be held accountable should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways. Despite this strong warning, attacks in the Red Sea have continued, including the launch of numerous missiles and one-way attack aerial vehicles against ships in the Red Sea on January 9, 2024, including U.S. and UK vessels.  On January 10, 2024, the UN Security Council passed UNSCR 2722, which also condemned these attacks and demanded that they cease.

In response to continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilising Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence, consistent with the UN Charter, against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.  These precision strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of international mariners in one of the world’s most critical waterways.

The Houthis’ more than two dozen attacks on commercial vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge. Today’s action demonstrated a shared commitment to freedom of navigation, international commerce, and defending the lives of mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks.

Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and ensure the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 January 2024.

Joint Statement by the Governments of Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; Denmark; Germany; Italy; Japan; Netherlands; New Zealand; United Kingdom; and United States.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 January 2024.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today.

He offered his condolences to all those Ukrainians killed and injured in barbaric Russian airstrikes over the Christmas period. The Prime Minister said the UK would continue to stand steadfastly by Ukraine as they fight aggression and occupation, throughout 2024 and into the future.

The leaders discussed recent developments in the conflict, including progress in the Black Sea and the success of the Ukrainian air defence, bolstered by UK-supplied ground-to-air missiles.

The Prime Minister set out ongoing UK work to provide military and diplomatic support to Ukraine, including through further deliveries of lethal aid, support for President Zelenskyy’s peace plan and a long-term security framework.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 29 December 2023.

The King has been graciously pleased to signify His intention of conferring the following Honours upon the undermentioned:

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire

• Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP; Member of Parliament for Staffordshire Moorlands, formerly was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. For public and political service.

Knighthood in the Order of the Bath

• Rt Hon David Davis MP; Member of Parliament for Haltemprice and Howden, formerly Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. For public and political service.

Knighthood

• Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP; Member of Parliament for North Somerset, formerly Secretary of State for International Trade and Secretary of State for Defence. For public and political service.
• Rt Hon Jeremy Quin MP; Member of Parliament for Horsham, formerly Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office. For public and political service.

The Prime Minister has recommended these honours to the King.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 21 December 2023.

The UK and EU have agreed to extend trade rules on electric vehicles until the end of 2026 to keep costs down for manufacturers and consumers, the Prime Minister has announced today (Thursday 21 December).

To access zero tariffs under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), businesses must prove their products include a minimum level of EU or UK manufactured content. These requirements are known as “rules of origin” and help determine where products originate rather than where they’re shipped from to ensure lower tariffs are correctly applied to eligible products and support market competition.

Under the existing Trade and Cooperation Agreement, a staged approach was introduced for electric vehicles and batteries which required phased increases in these rules of origin requirements – with the first increase due to take effect on 1 January 2024, before a final increase from 1 January 2027.

This phased approach would increase the content requirements for electric vehicles to be eligible for tariff free trade over the next three years. These were initially designed to reflect industry capability at the time and incentivise investment in domestic battery production.

However, in recognition of the disruption to the global supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK and EU have agreed to cancel the 2024 changes, meaning the existing rules of origin will last for a further three years until the end of 2026.

This agreement facilitates UK-EU tariff-free trade in electric vehicles and prevents 10% tariffs being levied on this trade from January. Industry expects this will save car manufacturers and consumers up to £4.3 billion in additional costs and provide long term certainty to the sector as we continue to scale up our domestic battery supply chain and work to deliver our net zero commitments.

We have listened to the concerns of the automotive industry, and we have made it a priority to find a joint solution with the EU on electric vehicle tariffs that works for both sides. Today’s agreement is further evidence that our more constructive relationship with the EU is delivering for UK citizens and businesses, building on the Windsor Framework and the bespoke agreement reached on the Horizon research programme.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

We have been listening to concerns of the sector throughout this process, and I know this breakthrough will come as a huge relief to the industry.

The UK Government is delivering a pragmatic solution to keep costs down for businesses and for people at home who want to make the switch to electric vehicles.

We are also leaving no stone unturned to bolster our domestic battery industry and deliver long term certainty for our thriving automotive sector to help them grow their roots in the UK.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

This government is determined to ensure the UK remains one of the best places in the world for automotive manufacturing. We listened to the concerns of the sector and worked hard with counterparts in Brussels and across Europe to deliver a solution that works for both sides.

Resolving issues like this one is part and parcel of being an independent trading nation. This very good result is a visible demonstration that the UK is delivering for business with trading partners around the world.

The UK will also look to agree to extend the equivalent rules of origin in the UK-Turkey preferential trade agreement ready for the end of the year, in a further boost for UK car companies who are major exporters to the Turkish market, such as Ford. This will ensure the existing rules of origin will last for a further three years until the end of 2026, and comes as the UK looks to start negotiations for a new modern free trade agreement with Turkey next year.

The agreement comes as both the UK and EU committed to working together to bolster our domestic battery supply chain. At the Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced that we’re making available £4.5 billion over five years through the Advanced Manufacturing Plan to unlock private investment in strategic manufacturing sectors across the UK.

This includes over £2 billion in R&D and capital funding for the automotive sector to support the manufacturing and development of zero emission vehicles, their batteries and supply chain – building on existing support.

Last month we published the UK’s first ever Battery Strategy, outlining our plan for the UK to attract investment and achieve a globally competitive battery supply chain by 2030. In the strategy, we announced an additional £50 million investment to develop the UK’s battery industry and to secure a resilient UK manufacturing supply chain. The battery sector alone could create 100,000 highly paid and skilled jobs in the UK.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:

Deferring the rules of origin is a win for motorists, the economy and the environment. Maintaining tariff-free trade in EVs will ensure consumers retain the widest and most affordable choice of models, at a time when we need all drivers to make the switch.

Governments have listened to the sector and acted to safeguard the competitiveness of the EU and UK automotive industries and give the Anglo-European battery industry the critical time it needs to catch up. The measure will help cut carbon, support growth and jobs, and is the right decision for the decarbonisation of road transport.

Lisa Brankin, Chair, Ford Britain said:

On behalf of Ford in the UK, I want to thank policymakers in London and Brussels for listening to and engaging with a united automotive industry. Today’s decision to avoid unnecessary tariff costs is a major moment that will protect jobs, support countless investments, and most-importantly help to keep costs down for consumers and businesses on their journey to an all-electric future.

The Government’s focus on updating the UK-Turkey battery trade rules to reflect today’s agreement with the EU is also very welcome. Our dedicated Ford Pro organisation is committed to helping businesses go electric and this swift action will help us to continue do that.

Maria-Grazia Davino, Group Managing Director, Stellantis UK said:

We welcome the agreement between the EU-UK to maintain the current Rules of Origin for batteries requirements until January 2027.

We can now focus on our planned acceleration towards electrification, keeping costs down for our customers. The agreement demonstrates the importance of the trading relationship between the EU and UK and keeping the UK competitive.

BMW Group said:

We welcome the agreement which has been reached between the European Union and the United Kingdom on their Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

This planning certainty will allow the BMW Group to enhance its manufacturing and sales footprint in this highly competitive market.

The government has already spent over £2 billion to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles, including reducing the upfront cost of electric vehicles and supporting the roll-out of charging infrastructure. There are now over 52,600 public chargepoints across the UK, a 44% increase since this time last year.

Earlier this year, we also published the zero-emission vehicle mandate which will come into effect in 2024, setting out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to sell each year, starting with a requirement for 22% of new cars sold in 2024 to be zero emission vehicles.

The mandate ensures the UK has the most ambitious regulatory framework of any country for the switch to electric vehicles, reaching 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans being zero emission by 2030, providing long term certainty and direction for the sector as we set out the pathway to phase out all new diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2035, although some manufacturers already plan to reach 100% sooner.

The UK’s approach has already attracted record investments in gigafactories and electric vehicle manufacturing. This includes the recent announcement of a £2bn Nissan led investment to produce two new electric vehicles in Sunderland, Tata’s investment of over £4 billion in a new 40 GWh gigafactory, BMW’s investment of £600m to build next generation MINI EVs in Oxford, Ford’s investment of £380 million in Halewood to make Electric Drive Units and Stellantis’ £100m investment in Ellesmere Port for EV van production.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 December 2023.

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted the final meeting of the 2023 Business Council earlier today.

He thanked business leaders for their support over the past year. He noted progress to stabilise the economy, which has resulted in inflation falling well below half – to 3.9% – delivering one of the Prime Minister’s key priorities.

The Prime Minister explained how businesses are continuing to choose the UK as a top global investment destination, pointing to the examples of: Tata Group’s £4bn UK gigafactory, BMW’s £600m commitment to develop electrical vehicle production in the UK, Nissan’s £2bn to support two new electric vehicle models in Sunderland and £2.5bn from Microsoft for AI infrastructure. He thanked Council Members for their support for the Global Investment Summit in November, at which a further £29.5bn of investment was announced.

The Prime Minister and the Business Council discussed the economic and business outlook, and how this is being perceived on the frontlines of the economy. Council members agreed that, with inflation now more than halved, there is an opportunity for more economic growth and dynamism in 2024.

The Prime Minister also raised the economic benefits of AI and other technologies, following the successful AI Safety Summit he hosted at Bletchley Park. He asked Council Members about barriers to adoption and where new technologies have led to increased innovation and productivity.

He announced that a new ‘AI Opportunity Forum’ will be launched in January – which will be co-Chaired by Franck Petitgas, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Business and Investment, and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan. It will explore in more detail the adoption of AI technologies across the private sector.

He concluded by thanking the members of the Business Council for their contributions which bring an important perspective to the big decisions the Government is taking to build a better Britain.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 December 2023.

The King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Dr Anderson Harris Mithra Jeremiah for appointment as Suffragan Bishop of Edmonton, in the Diocese of London.

The King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Dr Anderson Harris Mithra Jeremiah, Associate Priest at St Paul’s Scotforth, in the Diocese of Blackburn, and Associate Dean (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and People) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Lancaster University, for appointment to the Suffragan See of Edmonton, in the Diocese of London, in succession to The Right Reverend Robert Wickham, following his appointment as Chief Executive of the Church Urban Fund.

Background

Anderson was educated at the Universities of Madras and Edinburgh, and trained for ministry at United Theological College, Bangalore. He served his title at St Mary’s Church, Ranipet, in the Diocese of Vellore, Church of South India and, in 2004, he was ordained Priest and served as Anglican Chaplain at the Christian Medical College, Vellore. In 2007, Anderson was appointed Assistant Curate at Old St Paul’s Church Edinburgh and, from 2009, he served as Associate Rector at Christ Church Morningside, both in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

In 2012, Anderson was appointed as the first Lecturer in World Christianity at Lancaster University. Alongside his academic role from 2014 he served as the Vicar of St Mary the Virgin, Gisburn and, from 2016, as Associate Priest at St Mary’s Priory Church, Lancaster, both in the Diocese of Blackburn. From 2018, Anderson served as the first Bishop’s Adviser for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Affairs in the Diocese of Blackburn and in 2021 was appointed Canon Theologian of Blackburn Cathedral. He has been a member of the Committee for Minority Ethnic Concerns, the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Task Force, General Synod, the Faith and Order Commission and the Ministry Council.

Anderson is married to Revd Dr Rebecca Aechtner and they have two daughters.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 December 2023.

The Prime Minister spoke to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk this evening, to congratulate him on his recent election win.

He looked forward to working closely together to continue to deepen the UK-Poland relationship, which is rooted in historic and cultural ties and strengthened by shared values and priorities.

The leaders discussed Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, noting that the UK and Poland are two of Ukraine’s closest partners and defenders.

They also welcomed the strong bilateral security, defence and industrial collaboration between the UK and Poland, agreeing to continue cooperation to safeguard our national and wider European security and prosperity.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 December 2023.

His Majesty The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of Mr Justice Fraser as a Lord Justice of Appeal.

This appointment is in line with Mr Justice Fraser’s appointment as Chairman of the Law Commission, which will take effect from1 December 2023.

The appointment of Lord and Lady Justices of the Court of Appeal are made by His Majesty The King on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor following the recommendation of an independent selection panel.

Biography

Mr Justice Fraser: was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1989 and took Silk in 2009. In 2002 he was appointed as a Recorder and as a High Court Judge in 2015, assigned to the King’s Bench Division.