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  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Speech on “Fulfilling the promise of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement”

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Speech on “Fulfilling the promise of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement”

    The speech made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, in Belfast on 19 April 2023.

    The Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement will always be remembered as one of the most extraordinary political achievements of our lifetimes.

    Because step by step, faltering at first, people on all sides began to do things that were once unthinkable, in the search for peace.

    But you don’t need me to tell you that because many of you in this room created it.

    It is humbling to be with you today.

    And with the people of Northern Ireland, who have endured so much.

    After three long decades where violence and terror were part of everyday life…

    …a generation has grown up in a place that is vastly more peaceful, more prosperous, and more at ease with itself.

    Of course, we meet here today in circumstances that are far from perfect.

    But my argument today is this: the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement remains the best and only foundation for peace and prosperity.

    And if we can take inspiration and instruction from the way peace was achieved 25 years ago…

    …we can fulfil the true promise enshrined in that Agreement.

    The promise of: Stable devolved government. A prosperous economy. And a more united society.

    That’s the future for Northern Ireland we must build.
    Now to do that, we must first ask why.

    Why did peace talks succeed in 1998 when so many failed before?

    I believe that’s because people on all sides showed courage, imagination, and perseverance.

    First, those who worked for peace had the personal courage to keep going in spite of daily threats to them and their families.

    And the political courage to take risks in pursuit of a higher goal.

    John Hume, over his entire career, never relented in his insistence on non-violence.

    David Trimble took enormous risks to do what he thought was right for the union.

    And they were rightly honoured as the preeminent architects of peace, with a joint Nobel peace prize.

    Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness persuaded Republicans to join a constitutional, power-sharing Assembly.

    And, encouraged by the intensive efforts of Mo Mowlam, the leaders of loyalism also lent their weight behind the deal.

    Female leaders from the Women for Peace and the Women’s Coalition worked so hard for peace.

    And Bertie Ahern showed the wisdom and statecraft to see the historic opportunity.

    At a critical moment, he recognised unionist concerns over the proposed North-South arrangements and stepped back.

    Trimble himself, in his last public appearance, at this university, just weeks before he passed away…

    … embraced his old counterpart and thanked Bertie for giving him the space to act.

    These acts of courage were more powerful than a thousand bombs and bullets.

    Because there is nothing glamorous about violence.

    There is nothing glorious about terror.

    Squalid acts are always justified with some false dream about what they will achieve.

    But they have never worked – and they never will.

    Instead, let us glorify moderation; romanticise respect; and make heroes of those with the courage to reject absolutes, not kill for them.

    Second, making peace required leaps of imagination.

    To conceive of a system for sharing power between traditions.

    To design an agreement with three strands of equal importance…

    To enshrine the principle of consent – so that Northern Ireland remains a part of the United Kingdom for as long as its people wish…

    …while protecting the aspirations of those who seek a different future through peaceful means.

    And for the first time…

    …the people of North and South were both given the opportunity to support this deal…

    …and they did so, in overwhelming majorities.

    And let us never forget the crucial work after 1998 to build a broader consensus – helped by the leadership of Dr Ian Paisley.

    Third, the peace took extraordinary perseverance.

    In the aftermath of the Shankill bomb and Greysteel massacre in 1993, many thought the peace process was over…

    …but just two months later John Major and Albert Reynolds delivered the Downing Street Declaration.

    George Mitchell persuaded all parties to sign up to the principles of democracy and non-violence, without which the talks could not have begun.

    In the difficult final hours, President Clinton’s timely interventions helped get the deal done.

    And whenever people walked away, Tony Blair sought to bring them back…

    …always committed, always attuned to the concerns of all parts of the community.

    Together with Bertie Ahern, he showed us what’s possible when the UK and Irish governments work together…

    …a partnership I know will continue alongside my friend, Leo Varadkar.

    And in the spirit of perseverance, it’s also fitting to recognise the contribution of the security forces.

    Like my predecessors, I acknowledge that at times they made mistakes.

    But we must also recognise their bravery, suffering, and sacrifice – and that of the police.

    Without their courageous service, there would have been no peace process at all.

    They created the conditions that ultimately allowed their own presence on the streets to be reduced or entirely withdrawn.

    So: courage, imagination, and perseverance.

    Those qualities brought an imperfect but enduring peace to a place taught to believe no such peace was possible.

    So to all those who led us to that peace…

    …including those here in this hall and those no longer with us…

    …let us take this moment to say to you:

    Thank you.
    For those of us, like me, who inherit this extraordinary, even intimidating legacy…

    …our challenge today is to fulfil the promise of the work that you began.

    To honour your legacy, we need to create a more stable devolved government in Northern Ireland.

    And that means getting the institutions up and running.

    I believe there are two tasks.

    First, to remove the biggest block to the institutions returning.

    That’s why, when I came into office, I made it a priority to fix the Northern Ireland Protocol.

    And we were deeply conscious of the lessons of history as we did so.

    That’s why our aims were to:

    Balance and respect the aspirations of all parts of the community.

    Protect the relationships between East and West as much as North and South.

    And persist through careful, detailed negotiation.

    And I pay tribute to Ursula von der Leyen who I am so pleased to see here today.

    The Windsor Framework is a breakthrough moment.

    It solves practical problems and, crucially, strengthens Northern Ireland’s place in our Union and our UK internal market.

    It gives the Assembly significant new powers – ready for when it sits again.

    And I am confident we can build broad support for it across all communities.

    So I share people’s frustration that the institutions are not back up and running.

    But that points to our second task.

    We must keep working to persuade all parts of the community that returning to the institutions is the best path.

    And we will do that.

    We will talk, we will listen, we will try to persuade – and we will not give up.

    And I want to speak directly for a moment to the representatives of unionism…

    …who include many diverse voices and whose concerns with the Protocol we have focused on addressing.

    I urge you to work with us to get Stormont up and running again.

    That’s the right thing to do on its own terms.

    And I’m convinced that it’s also the right thing to do for our union.

    I am a proud unionist.

    We believe passionately that Northern Ireland is stronger within the UK…

    …and the UK is stronger with Northern Ireland within it.

    But we must also build support beyond those of us who already identify as unionists.

    To do that, we have to show that devolved government within the United Kingdom works for Northern Ireland.

    The fact that the institutions have been down for nine of the last 25 years should be a source of profound concern.

    Over the long term that will not bolster the cause of unionism – I believe that deeply.

    So we need to get the institutions up and running – and keep them up and running.

    And let me also say to those who would seek to reform the institutions right now: I understand your frustrations.

    But history reminds us that nothing in Northern Ireland has ever been achieved by trying to get round one community or another.

    So any conversation about reform can only begin once the institutions are up and running again…

    …and if it attracts widespread consent.

    The Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement left us an extraordinary and precious legacy.

    When we look back in 25 years from now…

    …surely we should aspire for our legacy to be nothing less than this:

    That the institutions have been up and running for every single year.
    Because our focus must be on the future.

    Getting the institutions back up and running is our most pressing challenge to honour your legacy.

    But that’s only the beginning.

    Together we must fulfil the true promise of the 1998 Agreement.

    That future enshrined in the very words of the text – of “sustained economic growth”, and where we tackle the problems of “a divided society”.

    I will give everything to help deliver that vision.

    Because I talked earlier about learning the lessons from history.

    One thing I took from George Mitchell is the idea that the agreement itself is only 20% of the task – the rest is delivery.

    Once the Agreement was done, people asked of Tony Blair: Would he walk away?

    He didn’t.

    And neither will I.

    Because there is work to be done.

    So let me tell you what I’m going to do.

    First, economic growth.

    Progress has been remarkable – in April 1998, Northern Ireland had the highest unemployment rate in the UK.

    Today – it’s the second lowest.

    But we need to do more.

    In 25 years, when we look back, I want to see that Northern Ireland has changed.

    From an economy too reliant on the public sector…

    To a thriving, dynamic economy built around the power and innovation of private enterprise.

    I talk a lot about the idea of levelling up.

    About making sure young people feel they can fulfil their dreams and aspirations in the place they call home.

    That idea has particular resonance here in Northern Ireland.

    And we won’t achieve it without a cascade of new investment – to create jobs and opportunity.

    That journey has already begun.

    Last week, President Biden came – and told the world to invest here.

    He didn’t say that out of sentimentality.

    He said it because he can see the opportunity for American businesses.

    And because of the enormous potential of this place.

    The potential of the people – resilient, ingenious, determined.

    The potential of your businesses…

    …with world-class strengths in cyber, life sciences, financial services, and the creative industries.

    And one of Europe’s most thriving start-up scenes.

    I know that journey to prosperity won’t be easy – and we aren’t there yet.

    But this is my commitment to you:

    I will use the full force of the UK Government…

    …to help you make this one of the best places in the world…

    …to start and grow a business, create jobs…

    …train and learn new skills…

    …and attract investment.

    And just as we want to look back on a more prosperous, dynamic economy…

    …so in 25 years, I also want us to look back on a more integrated and contented society.

    Of course, we cannot simply wish away those social realities that have been present for decades.

    The tragic loss of Lyra McKee and the attack on DCI John Caldwell remind us how far we still have to go.

    But people are already voting with their feet in the choices they make for their children’s education and their social and sporting lives.

    A growing body of the electorate does not define themselves solely as Unionist or Nationalist, British or Irish.

    A growing portion of people sample life in a different part of these islands but still return.

    And a growing number of local communities are signalling that their patience with thuggery is over.

    But there’s yet more to do.

    In 25 years’, should not the poisonous grip of the paramilitaries…

    …those gangsters and drug dealers who wrap themselves in the fake cloak of legitimacy…

    …be broken once and for all?

    In 25 years’, should not a fragment of a peace wall be nothing more than a stop on the tourist trail?

    In 25 years’, should integrated education not be the norm rather than the exception?

    Of course, we won’t build that better future overnight. And it won’t be easy.

    Every time I visit Northern Ireland, I feel more optimistic and hopeful.

    Because to paraphrase the late David Trimble…

    …there may be hills ahead of us, but there are mountains behind.
    I want to close by reflecting on an extraordinary story.

    Just weeks before the agreement, two lifelong friends, Damien Trainor and Philip Allen, were murdered at Poyntzpass.

    One was a Protestant, the other Catholic.

    The people who murdered them may have hoped to sow chaos and division and derail the peace talks.

    They failed.

    Because the story of this remarkable friendship inspired one of the most decisive breakthroughs of the whole peace process…

    …the agreement to share power between equal first and deputy first ministers, in a co-premiership, with one from each community.

    As Mark Durkan, the SDLP’s lead negotiator, said at the time:

    “The stories of Philip and Damien’s special friendship…

    …could be a parable for the sort of society that we might create if we could reach agreement”.

    And he was right.

    That is the promise of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

    And together we can – and we must – fulfil it.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Letter to Dominic Raab Following Resignation

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Letter to Dominic Raab Following Resignation

    The letter sent by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, to Dominic Raab, the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, accepting his resignation on 21 April 2023.

    Text of letter (in .pdf format)

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Speech on Mathematics

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Speech on Mathematics

    The speech made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, in London on 17 April 2023.

    It’s great to be back at the London Screen Academy to celebrate the global powerhouse that is our film and television industry.

    From Star Wars to Game of Thrones…

    …007 to Top Gun Maverick…

    …you name it, we make it.

    And right here is where we’re training up the next generation of BAFTA winners…

    ….the producers, set designers, visual effects specialists…

    …who are going to ensure the UK remains one of the most creative countries in the world.

    Now the reason I’ve come here to talk about maths, is not just because I like maths.

    But because what I am setting out today is a fundamental part of how we need to change our country for the future.

    Now, one of my five priorities is economic growth.

    And if we are going to grow our economy not just over the next two years, but the next twenty…

    …we simply cannot allow poor numeracy to cost our economy tens of billions a year…

    …or to leave people twice as likely to be unemployed as those with competent numeracy.

    So, we have to fundamentally change our education system…

    ….so it gives our young people the knowledge and skills they need…

    …and that our businesses need…

    …to compete with the best in the world.

    And there’s no better example of that than in our creative industries.

    Because what’s the biggest skills shortage holding our film industry back?

    As you heard from Gillian, it’s a shortage of technical skills.

    And so what have the London Screen Academy put on the curriculum for their 16-to-19 year olds?

    Maths.

    Why?

    Because you can’t make movies without maths.

    You can’t make visual effects without vectors and matrices.

    You can’t design a set without some geometry.

    You can’t run a production company without being financially literate.

    And that’s not just true of our creative industries. It’s true of so many of our industries.

    In healthcare, maths allows you to calculate dosages.

    In retail, data skills allow you to analyse sales and calculate discounts.

    And the same is true in all our daily lives….

    …from managing household budgets to understanding mobile phone contracts or mortgages.

    We also know the benefits of maths for employability and earnings.

    Even just basic numeracy skills can increase your earnings by around £1,600 a year.

    Put simply, without a solid foundation in maths, our children risk being left behind…

    …shut out of the careers they aspire to; and the lives they want to lead.

    Now in the decade or so, we’ve gone up 10 places in the international league tables.

    And maths has become the most popular of all A-Levels.

    But it’s still the case that the UK is one of the least numerate countries in the developed world.

    More than 8 million adults have numeracy skills below those expected of a 9 year old.

    And around a third of our young people don’t pass maths GCSE.

    And it’s not just that we’re not good enough at maths…

    ….there’s a cultural issue here too.

    I’ll be honest, when my daughters first heard me talk about them doing more maths they weren’t too excited.

    And that’s just it.

    We make jokes about not being able to do maths.

    It’s socially acceptable.

    We say things like: “Oh, maths, I can’t do that, it’s not for me” – and everyone laughs.

    But we’d never make a joke like that about not being able to read.

    So we’ve got to change this anti-maths mindset.

    We’ve got to start prizing numeracy for what it is – a key skill every bit as essential as reading.

    So my campaign to transform our national approach to maths is not some nice to have.

    It’s about changing how we value maths in this country.

    And changing the way our education system works to deliver it…

    ….so that all our children get these vital skills for life.

    Now, parents and teachers listening to this will want to know what that means for our children today.

    So let me tell you.

    We’re in the process of making maths more accessible, building our children’s confidence, so they don’t fear maths.

    We’re creating more sector specific content that can excite young people about the relevance of maths for the careers that they aspire to…

    …to help teachers bring maths to life in the classroom…

    …from building sets for school plays to calculating the angles of free kicks or the speed of a formula one car.

    We’re extending our Maths Hubs – unique partnerships of expert schools that support maths teaching.

    And we’re strengthening maths in primary schools…

    …including with a new fully funded professional qualification for those that are teaching it.

    But we also need to address a very specific problem that’s causing us to fall behind the rest of the world.

    We are one of the few developed countries where young people don’t routinely study some form of maths up to the age of 18.

    They do it in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Finland, Japan, Norway and America.

    Why should we accept any less for our children?

    Of course, we shouldn’t.

    That’s why I set out in January we are going to change the way our system works…

    …so that everyone in our country will study some form of maths all the way to 18.

    Now let me be absolutely clear – I am not saying the answer is A-Level maths for everyone.

    But we do need to work out the maths our young people should study.

    So we’re going to look at what 16-18 year olds around the world are learning.

    And we’re going to listen to employers and ask them what they say the maths skills are that they need.

    That’s why today I am appointing a new expert group….

    …who will help us identify that core maths content that our 16-to-18 year olds need…

    ….and whether we need a new specific qualification to support that.

    But to repeat: that will not be A-Level maths for all.

    And let me also be clear that we’re not going to deliver this change overnight.

    We’re going to need to recruit and train the maths teachers.

    We’re going to work out how to harness technology that we need to support them.

    And we’ll need to make sure this maths is additional to other subjects – not instead of them.

    Just as here at the London Screen Academy, they don’t teach maths instead of the arts – they teach both.

    Because they are complementary not contradictory.

    So it will take time to implement this change.

    But we are taking the first step today by identifying the maths content that will give our 16-to-18 year olds the skills they need to get on in life.

    And when we have that, then we’ll come back with a detailed plan to deliver it.

    I’ll just finish on a personal note.

    Every opportunity I’ve had in life began with the education I was so fortunate to receive….

    …and maths was a critical part of that.

    And I knew it was important then.

    And when I look at how the world is changing, it’s only going to be more important for my children – and yours.

    So I won’t sit back and allow this cultural sense that it’s ok to be bad at maths to put our children at a disadvantage.

    We’ve got to change this.

    We’ve got to value maths, and what it can do for our children’s futures.

    Giving our children a world class education is the single most important thing we can do.

    It’s the closest thing we have to a silver bullet….

    …the best economy policy, the best social policy, the best moral policy.

    That’s why I’m proud that it’s our policy, and I will never stop striving to achieve it.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Vaisakhi Message

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Vaisakhi Message

    The speech made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 14 April 2023.

    I want to wish Sikhs across the UK and around the world a very happy Vaisakhi.

    You make an incredible contribution to national life. From the heroes of both world wars to those working in the modern-day NHS, Sikhs have played a huge role in making Britain what it is today.

    As your PM I thank you for everything you do, and whether celebrating this auspicious occasion at your local Gurdwara or at home with loved ones, I hope you have a wonderful day.

    Saareya nu Vaisakhi diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan!

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Comments on 25th Anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Comments on 25th Anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement

    The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 11 April 2023.

    Today we reflect on the beginning of a new chapter in the people of Northern Ireland’s history, with the commemoration of the signing of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 25 years ago.

    This is an Agreement born of partnership between the British and Irish Governments and, as we will see from President Biden’s visit this week, it continues to enjoy huge international support from our closest allies. But most importantly, it is based on compromise in Northern Ireland itself.

    As we look forward, we will celebrate those who took difficult decisions, accepted compromise, and showed leadership – showing bravery, perseverance, and political imagination.

    We commemorate those who are no longer with us and the many who lost their lives by trying to prevent violence and protect the innocent. And we give thanks to them as we reflect on the new generations that have grown up and continue to grow in a world in which peace and prosperity has prevailed.

    While it is time to reflect on the solid progress we have made together, we must also recommit to redoubling our efforts on the promise made in 1998 and the agreements that followed.

    One of economic opportunity, prosperity, and stability – it is a promise we must continue to fulfil. So must get on with the business of governance.

    My mission, duty and responsibility as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is to deliver for people in Northern Ireland.

    We stand ready to work with our partners in the Irish Government and the local parties to ensure that the institutions are up and running again as soon as possible.

    There is work to be done.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Easter Message

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Easter Message

    The Easter Message issued by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 9 April 2023.

    Easter Sunday gives us a chance to reflect on the considerable contribution Christian communities make to our national life – offering support and a sense of belonging to so many across the country.

    Christianity and its values of tolerance, compassion and charity are embedded in our history and national fabric. Its values are British values.

    I would like to wish all those celebrating today a very happy Easter.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Letter to Laurie Magnus on the Conduct of Mark Spencer

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Letter to Laurie Magnus on the Conduct of Mark Spencer

    The letter sent by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, to Laurie Magnus on 6 April 2023.

    Letter (in .pdf format)

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Statement Following the Death of Nigel Lawson

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Statement Following the Death of Nigel Lawson

    The statement made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 4 April 2023.

    One of the first things I did as Chancellor was hang a picture of Nigel Lawson above my desk.

    He was a transformational Chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others.

    My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Statement at AUKUS Trilateral Press Conference

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Statement at AUKUS Trilateral Press Conference

    The statement made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, in San Diego on 13 March 2023.

    Sixty years ago, here in San Diego, President Kennedy spoke of: “A higher purpose – the maintenance of freedom, peace and…security”.

    Today, we stand together, united by that same purpose.

    And recognising that to fulfil it we must forge new kinds of relationships to meet new kinds of challenge – just as we have always done.

    In the last 18 months, the challenges we face have only grown.

    Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine…

    China’s growing assertiveness…

    The destabilising behaviour of Iran and North Korea…

    …all threaten to create a world defined by danger, disorder, and division.

    Faced with this new reality, it is more important than ever that we strengthen the resilience of our own countries.

    That’s why the UK is today announcing a significant uplift in our defence budget.

    We’re providing an extra £5bn over the next two years, immediately increasing our defence budget to around 2.25% of GDP.

    This will allow us to replenish our war stocks.

    And modernise our nuclear enterprise, delivering AUKUS and strengthening our deterrent.

    Our highest priority is to continue providing military aid to Ukraine, because their security is our security.

    And we will go further to strengthen our resilience.

    For the first time, the United Kingdom will move away from our baseline commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence to a new ambition of 2.5%.

    Putting beyond doubt that the United Kingdom is – and will remain – one of the world’s leading defence powers.

    But ultimately, the defence of our values depends, as it always has…

    …on the quality of our relationships with others.

    Those alliances will be strengthened through AUKUS…

    …the most significant multilateral defence partnership in generations.

    AUKUS matches our enduring commitment to freedom and democracy…

    …with the most advanced military, scientific, and technological capability.

    Nowhere is that clearer than in the plans we’re unveiling today for the new Aukus submarine…

    …one of the most advanced nuclear-powered subs the world has ever known.

    Those plans could not happen without cutting-edge American technology and expertise…

    …so I pay tribute to you, Mr President, for your leadership.

    And to you, Prime Minister, for your vision of what Aukus can achieve.

    For our part, the UK comes to this with over sixty years’ experience of running our own fleet.

    We’ll provide the world-leading design, and build the first of these new boats…

    …creating thousands of good, well-paid jobs in places like Barrow and Derby.

    And we will share our knowledge and experience with Australian engineers so they can build their own fleet.

    Our partnership is significant not just because we are building these submarines together…

    …they will also be truly interoperable.

    The Royal Navy will operate the same submarines as the Australian Navy.

    We will both share components and parts with the US Navy.

    Our submarine crews will train together, patrol together, and maintain their boats together.

    They will communicate using the same terminology and the same equipment.

    And through AUKUS, we will raise our standards of nuclear non-proliferation.

    This is a powerful partnership.

    For the first time ever, it will mean three fleets of submarines working together across both the Atlantic and Pacific…

    …keeping our oceans free, open, and prosperous for decades to come.

    Joe, Anthony –

    We represent three allies who have stood shoulder to shoulder together for more than a century.

    Three peoples who have shed blood together in defence of our shared values.

    And three democracies that are coming together again…

    …to fulfil that higher purpose of maintaining freedom, peace, and security…

    …now and for generations to come.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2023 Press Conference in Paris

    Rishi Sunak – 2023 Press Conference in Paris

    The speech made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, at a press conference in Paris on 10 March 2023.

    Emmanuel, thank you for hosting us here today.

    Now, if we’re honest, the relationship between our two countries has had its challenges in recent years…

    …and I’m not just referring to you knocking England out of the World Cup.

    But I believe today’s meeting does mark a new beginning – our entente renewed.

    We’re looking to the future.

    A future that builds on all that we share – our history, our geography, our values.

    And a future that is far more ambitious about how we work together to improve the lives of the people we serve.

    We’ve discussed every aspect of our crucial alliance today.

    And made important progress in three areas in particular: illegal migration, energy, and security.

    Emmanuel and I share the same belief: criminal gangs should not get to decide who comes to our countries.

    Within weeks of my coming into office, we agreed our largest ever small boats deal.

    And today, we’ve taken our co-operation to an unprecedented level to tackle this shared challenge.

    We’re announcing a new detention centre in Northern France…

    …a new command centre bringing our enforcement teams together in one place for the first time…

    …and an extra 500 new officers patrolling French beaches.

    All underpinned by more drones and other surveillance technologies that will help ramp up the interception rate.

    And the legislation the UK has introduced this week supports this…

    …because it’s designed to break the business model of the criminal gangs and remove the pull factors bringing them to the Channel coast.

    Now, we will always comply with our international treaty obligations…

    …but I am convinced that within them we can do what is necessary to solve this shared problem – and stop the boats.

    Second, the UK and France are working together so that never again can the likes of Putin weaponise our energy security.

    You are helping us to secure our supply of nuclear power thanks to EDF’s incredible work at Sizewell C.

    And through our ports and interconnectors, we can be Europe’s gateway for non-Russian gas.

    Today we’re going further, with an ambitious new Energy Partnership.

    We have:

    Signed a new deal on civil nuclear cooperation…

    Agreed that France will examine the case for new energy interconnectors…

    And committed to work together on low carbon energy.

    Together, I believe we’re creating a future where every watt of energy

    powering our homes and industry will come from secure, sustainable, and reliable sources.

    Third, the UK and France share a special bond and a special responsibility.

    When the security of our continent is threatened, we will always be at the forefront of its defence.

    And today we’re going even further to strengthen our security and defence co-operation.

    We’ve agreed:

    To train Ukrainian marines, helping to give Ukraine a decisive advantage on the battlefield and for Ukraine win this war.

    To increase the inter-operability of our forces, harnessing the full potential of the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force.

    To promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, coordinating our carrier deployments.

    And we will jointly explore the development of complex weapons like air defence, combat air, and long-range weapons.

    Now, for decades we’ve been two of the world’s biggest defence powers, and leading contributors to NATO.

    And we will continue to stand together for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

    Finally, today there has also been a celebration of the richness of our cultures…

    …all that we give to each other, and all that we learn from each other.

    And so we’ve agreed to make it easier for our children to go on school exchanges…

    …and our museum curators, writers and artists to create and collaborate together.

    And that brings me to my concluding thought.

    For all the agreements we’ve reached today – in the end, it’s about people.

    The bonds of family, friendship, and solidarity that we share.

    And there’s no greater example of that human connection than the sympathy of the French people on the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

    And I want to thank you personally, Emmanuel, for the graciousness of your words.

    They said everything about you as a leader and as a friend of Britain.

    You know, I’ve learnt very quickly in this job that there are some things you can control and some things you can’t.

    And one thing you can’t control is who you get as an international counterpart.

    I feel fortunate to be serving alongside you.

    And incredibly excited about the future we can build together.

    Merci, mon ami.