Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2008.

The Prime Minister has marked the 30th anniversary of the Motability scheme by presenting three disabled people with the keys to their Motability cars in Downing Street.

The event also marked the milestone of putting 500,000 Motability cars on the road and giving disabled people access to affordable, convenient, trouble-free motoring.

The PM, a Senior Patron of the Motability Scheme, congratulated Motability for the “vital role” the organisation plays in giving disabled people freedom and independence.

The PM said:

“Motability is a remarkable organisation that plays a vital role in helping disabled people up and down the country to maintain their independence.  It is an outstanding example of the voluntary sector, the business community and Government all working together in a successful partnership.”

Among those receiving keys to a new car were Mark Sutcliffe, an army corporal who lost his leg in a terrorist attack while serving in Iraq.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2008.

The Prime Minister has attended a special service at St Paul’s cathedral in London to commemorate the efforts of more than 300,000 members of the Armed Forces who served on Operation Banner in Northern Ireland from 1969 to 2007.

The service was attended by more than 2,000 veterans and family members as well as Defence Secretary Des Browne, the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall,  Baroness Thatcher and Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup.

Readings were given by representatives from the three Services, the chair of the Northern Ireland Veterans Association Andrew Bennett, and 13-year-old Nicola-Louise Scanlon, the daughter of an Operation Banner veteran who lives in Northern Ireland.

In a Downing Street statement, the PM said:

“We owe a debt of gratitude to all service personnel who served on Operation Banner between 1969 and 2007, and especially those who gave their lives. They helped create the conditions for the peace Northern Ireland now enjoys, and today we salute their courage. It is in their honour, and for all the people of Northern Ireland, that all those committed to the Province’s future must work together to ensure a lasting peace.”

After the service, 700 veterans marched through the city to the London Guildhall and HRH The Prince of Wales took the salute outside the cathedral.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2008.

The Prime Minister has issued a written ministerial statement to Parliament updating MPs on the latest developments in the Georgia/Russia conflict.

The PM gave details of the discussions the UK and international partners have been involved in and explained the six point agreement that was brokered by the EU and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe on 12 August.

He stressed the EU’s unanimous condemnation of Russia’s decision to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and gave details of the humanitarian support the UK will be giving to Georgia.

He said:

“Russia’s actions were in clear breach of international law and of successive UN Security Council Resolutions…

“The Council and the Commission have been tasked to start preparations for an international conference to bring focus to reconstruction efforts. The UK will play its part. We have already committed £2million to Georgia in humanitarian aid.”

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2008.

Gordon Brown has welcomed Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to 10 Downing Street for bilateral talks.

In a post-discussion press briefing, Mr Brown highlighted the UK and Italy’s shared analysis of current global issues such as the credit crunch and the rise in energy and other commodity prices.

The two countries have pledged to work more closely on matters such as developing nuclear power and carbon capture and storage technology as part of a strategy to obtain secure energy supplies and tackle climate change, he said.

Mr Brown and Mr Berlusconi said they would press the European Investment Bank to do more to help small businesses across the EU struggling to borrow in the current economic climate.

The PM said both countries also welcomed the French-brokered agreement between the EU and Russia on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia. The UK sought “good relations” with Russia and it was important for both Russia and Georgia to abide by their commitments, he said.

The press release issued by Downing Street on 11 September 2008.

The Prime Minister has announced a £1 billion energy package that could help households across the UK save more than £300 a year on their energy bills.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Mr Brown said the Government will legislate to channel £910 million from energy companies into energy-saving initiatives such as providing loft insulation and cavity wall insulation free of charge to elderly and low-income households and at a 50 percent discount to others.

Cash will also be pumped into a new Community Energy Saving Programme that will provide up to 90,000 homes with targetted advice on improving their energy efficiency and reducing their bills.

The Prime Minister said he did not expect energy companies to pass these costs back to consumers through future prices. Business Secretary John Hutton added that the Government “will not hesitate to intervene” should an Ofgem review suggest that consumers were getting a raw deal.

Mr Brown said the Home Energy Saving Programme would help drive “lasting change” in UK energy efficiency and consumption. Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, also at the press conference, said that each household could save £100 through loft installation and £150 through cavity wall installation in just 12 months.

Other Government plans to help people with their fuel bills include negotiating lower tariffs with energy companies for up to 600,000 homes, increasing cold weather payments from £8.50 to £25 per week in severe conditions and providing cash on top of Winter Fuel payments to the over-60s and over-80s of £50 and £100 respectively.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 September 2008.

An independent review on the UK’s next generation broadband access has been unveiled today looking at how the Government should maintain its position as a leading online economy.

The report findings concluded that the UK’s competitive telecoms market can deliver the next generation access in broadband, and maintain the country’s position as a leading online economy, but the Government and Ofcom need to be vigilant and play an active leadership role.

The report, headed by telecoms specialist Francesco Caio, sets out recommendations for how the Government should maintain its position as a leading online economy.

The Prime Minister met with Francesco Caio earlier today and congratulated him on the report, stressing the importance of the findings.

Mr Caio said:

“The UK and its consumers and businesses benefit from a competitive broadband industry and a rich choice of digital communications and entertainment platforms.”

The review was announced back in February 2008 by Baroness Shriti Vadera, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business and Competitiveness to look at a set of focused questions around the potential barriers to deployment of high speed broadband.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 September 2008.

Gordon Brown has congratulated the British Paralympic team for a string of “amazing successes” at the Games in Beijing.

In a weekend statement from Downing Street, the PM said the whole country was proud of the team and that he looked forward to meeting team members at an Olympic reception scheduled to take place at Number 10 later in the autumn.

The PM said:

“I’d like to congratulate the British Paralympic team for their wonderful performance. As with the Olympics last month, we’ve seen amazing successes in cycling, swimming and rowing as well as many other sports. We have an incredible total of 81 medals so far, 37 of these gold, and stand second in the medal table.

“I know the whole country is proud of our Paralympians and I hope the team continues to see great results over the remaining few days of the Games. I look forward congratulating them in person when I host a reception for the Paralympic team in the Autumn.”

Success on the track and in the pool saw Team GB add to its tally over the weekend. Great Britain remains second in the table with a total of 90 medals, comprising 41 gold, 23 silver and 26 bronze.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 September 2008.

The newly-elected Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari, has met with Gordon Brown for talks this morning.

Mr Brown congratulated the President on his election as a significant step in Pakistan’s democratic transition.

In a joint statement released after the meeting concluded inside Downing Street, agreed that the Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan should lead efforts to combat extremism along their mutual border, with the support of the international community.

The two leaders also agreed that a stable and strong democracy in Pakistan would play an important role in promoting peace in the region.

Speaking at his press conference last week, the PM said that a new strategy was needed to deal with the situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

“… the insecurity on the border, and the porousness of the border … is a problem for both countries and we have got to approach this with a new security strategy and that is one of the things we are discussing at the moment.”

President Zardari is the husband of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw is currently in Pakistan to back the building of strong democratic institutions in helping Pakistan’s stability.

Speaking to students at the International Islamic University in Islamabad earlier today he said:

“Pakistan’s security is Britain’s security; as Britain’s security is Pakistan’s. A strong, stable and secure Pakistan is vital to UK interests at home and abroad, not least in Afghanistan.”

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 16 September 2008.

The Prime Minister met the newly-elected President Zardari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 16 September during his private visit to the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister congratulated President Zardari on his election and welcomed this as a significant step in Pakistan’s democratic transition.  They discussed the bilateral relationship, as well as regional and international issues and agreed to strengthen co-operation in various fields, including trade, defence, health and education.  They both underlined the value they placed on the contribution being made by the one million British citizens of Pakistani origin in strengthening friendship between the two countries.

The Prime Minister and President discussed the challenges that Pakistan faces.  The Prime Minister commended President Zardari on his speech at his inauguration and his seven point Roadmap for a Better Future for Pakistan.  The Prime Minister emphasised the UK’s support for the establishment of democracy in Pakistan, including the strengthening of democratic institutions in the country.

The Prime Minister took this opportunity to remember the death of Benazir Bhutto.  His sympathies remained with the Bhutto family and the people of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister and President Zardari agreed that the UK and Pakistan had a shared agenda in tackling violent extremism in both countries.  They noted that there was a particularly acute problem with extremism emanating from the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region.  This had an impact on Pakistan as much as anywhere else, but was also impacting on UK forces in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister and President Zardari noted that it was the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan who suffered most directly from such extremism.  It was for the Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to lead the efforts to combat this extremism, with the support of the international community.  In this context, the Prime Minister welcomed the early meeting between Presidents Zardari and Karzai and the prospect of improved practical co-operation between the Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan on their mutual vulnerability to violent extremism.  The Prime Minister and President agreed that a stable and strong democracy in Pakistan would play an important role in promoting peace in the region.

The Prime Minister and President Zardari welcomed the on-going collaboration between the UK and Pakistani Governments to tackle violent extremism and radicalisation.  They agreed to enhance this cooperation in support of a comprehensive approach by the Government of Pakistan.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 September 2008.

Northern Ireland assembly members have been urged by the Prime Minister to grasp the opportunity of devolved government.

Speaking in Belfast earlier this afternoon, the Prime Minister said that prosperity is key to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland.

Mr Brown said that the “end to violence” marked the beginning of growth in Northern Ireland. The continued success in preventing violence is the “precondition of continued growth”, he added.

He called on the politicians from all sides to complete the process of devolution, as it would represent the “clearest sign that democracy will triumph”

“… the completion of devolution is much more than the final step in a process: it is the creation of a whole new permanent future for Northern Ireland.”

The PM will also hold private talks with DUP First Minister Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness this afternoon.