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Tag: Speeches

  • Edward Leigh – 2023 Comments on RAF Scampton

    Edward Leigh – 2023 Comments on RAF Scampton

    The comments made by Sir Edward Leigh, the Conservative MP for Gainsborough, in the House of Commons on 29 March 2023.

    Although the Minister did not mention RAF Scampton by name, we assume that that is the base in Lincolnshire to which he is referring. I can inform him that the moment that this is confirmed, the local authority of West Lindsey will issue an immediate judicial review and injunction against this thoroughly bad decision, which is based not on good governance, but on the politics of trying to do something. How can he guarantee that we will not lose £300 million-worth of regeneration, already agreed and signed, between West Lindsey and Scampton Holdings? How will he preserve the listed buildings and the heritage centre? How will he preserve the heritage of the Dambusters and of the Red Arrows? How can he guarantee that there is no contamination from the fuel bay of the Red Arrows? How will he protect the safety of 1,000 people living right next door to 1,500 migrants and a primary school? He cannot guarantee anything. Will he work with West Lindsey and Lincolnshire now to try to find an alternative site? We are prepared to do it, but we do not want to lose £300 million of regeneration. Lincolnshire will fight and Lincolnshire will be proved right.

    Robert Jenrick

    I can only pay tribute to my right hon. Friend—my friend and constituency neighbour. He is representing his constituents forcefully, in the way that he has always done in this place, and he is absolutely right to do so. I can say to him that, while this policy is, without question, in the national interest, we understand the impact and concern that there will be within local communities. All parts of Government want to work closely with him and his local authorities to mitigate the issues that will arise as a result of this site. There will be a significant package of support for his constituents. There will be specific protections for the unique heritage on the site. We do not intend to make any use of the historic buildings. In our temporary use of the site, we intend to ensure that those heritage assets are enhanced and preserved. We see this as a short-term arrangement. We would like to enter into an agreement, as he knows, with West Lindsey District Council, so that it can take possession of the site at a later date, and its regeneration plans, which are extremely important for Lincolnshire and the east midlands more generally, can be realised in due course.

  • Yvette Cooper – 2023 Speech on Illegal Immigration

    Yvette Cooper – 2023 Speech on Illegal Immigration

    The speech made by Yvette Cooper, the Shadow Home Secretary, in the House of Commons on 29 March 2023.

    Today’s statement is an admission of failure—perhaps that is why the Home Secretary has asked the Immigration Minister to make it instead. Four years ago, the Cabinet said that they would halve channel crossings; they have gone up twentyfold since then. A year ago, they said they would end hotel use; they have opened more than ever. They keep making new announcements, but it just keeps getting worse. People want to see strong border security, and properly managed asylum and refugee systems, so that the UK does its bit to help those fleeing persecution and conflict, alongside other countries, but we have got neither of those at the moment.

    There is no point in the Government blaming everyone else, because they are in charge. The asylum system is broken because they broke it; they have let criminal gangs rip along the channel; people smuggler convictions have halved in the past four years, even though more boats and more gangs have been crossing—and yet Tory MPs yesterday voted against Labour’s plan for cross-border police units to go after the gangs; and they have let asylum decision making collapse—we have had a big increase in staff, but 40% fewer cases being decided. So they have failed to take basic decisions and they are still not doing Labour’s plan to fast-track last year’s arrivals from Albania and other safe countries.

    As for today’s announcements, we need to end costly and inappropriate hotel use, but these plans do not do that. The Minister has had to admit that, contrary to all the briefing in the papers this morning, they will not end hotel use—instead, these sites are additional. Ministers should have been finding cheaper sites and properly managing costs years ago.

    Today’s damning report from the Government’s own independent watchdog, which strangely the Minister did not mention today, says that there has been no cost control; that the Home Office contracts are highly inefficient; that there is no cross-Government transparency and oversight; and that officials did not have financial information on the contracts they were signing and did not compare costs. Most ludicrously of all, it says that

    “different parts of the Home Office operating different schemes…at times, found themselves competing for the same hotel contracts, driving prices up.”

    This is totally chaotic.

    Basically, the Government have written a whole load of cheques in a panic. If they had put that money into clearing the backlog instead, we would not be in this mess now. They should have been working with councils to do that, but they did not. Yesterday, Tory MPs again voted against Labour’s plans for a legal requirement for councils to be consulted. Instead, the Minister has Conservative councils, backed by Conservative MPs, taking action against him. So can he confirm that the Foreign Secretary is backing legal action against the Home Secretary? Frankly, that is a first, even for this chaotic Government.

    The Bill makes things worse. There are no returns agreements with France or Europe. The Prime Minister has just said that the Home Secretary was wrong: the Rwanda flights will not start this summer. The Government have nowhere to send people to and, instead of speeding up asylum decisions, they are just going to cancel them, which means more people in asylum accommodation and hotels and more flimflam headlines that just do not stack up. Today, it was barges and it turns out that there are not any. Desperate to distract everyone from the damage that they might want to do to the Dambusters heritage, they instead start talking about ferries and barges. Three years ago, they said the same thing. Last summer, the Prime Minister said that it would be cruise liners. The Home Office civil servant said that ferries would end up costing more than the hotels on which they are already spending so much money. So, instead, the Immigration Minister has been sent around the country with a copy of “Waterways Weekly”, trying to find barges, and he still has not found any.

    Can the Minister tell us: are these sites going to be additional and not instead of hotel use? Will he still be using more hotels, or fewer for asylum seekers in six months’ time? On the 45,000 boat arrivals last year, can he confirm that more than 90% of decisions have not been taken because the backlog is still the Government’s failure?

    Will the Minister apologise for the Government’s failure on cost control? They failed to support Labour’s plan to go after the gangs, to get a new agreement with France and to fast-track decisions and returns. They are flailing around in a panic, chasing headlines—barges, oil rigs, Rwanda flights, even wave machines—instead of doing the hard graft. They have lost control of our border security, lost control of the asylum system, lost control of their budget and lost control of themselves. Will he answer my questions and will he get a grip?

    Robert Jenrick

    Is it not abundantly clear that Labour does not have the faintest clue how to tackle this issue? It has absolutely no plan. What we have laid out today is three months of intense work, which is seeing the backlog coming down; productivity rising; more sustainable forms of accommodation; a harder approach to make it difficult to live and work in the UK illegally; illegal working raids and visits rising by 50%; and greater control over the channel—all improvements as a result of the 10-point plan that the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary set out.

    The right hon. Lady looks back to a mythical time when Labour was last in office— when the Home Office, according to their own Home Secretary, was deemed to be not fit for purpose. Labour calls for more safe and legal routes, even though we are second only to Sweden in Europe for resettlement schemes. It calls for more money for law enforcement, even though we have doubled the funding of the National Crime Agency, and our people are out there upstream tackling organised immigration criminals every day of the week.

    Is it not extraordinary that the Home Secretary—[Interruption]—the shadow Home Secretary cannot bring herself to condemn those illegal immigrants who are breaking into our country in flagrant breach of our laws? That is weak. The truth is that the Labour party is too weak to take the kind of tough decisions that we are taking today. In its weakness, it would make the United Kingdom a magnet: there would be open doors, an open cheque book and open season for abuse. The British public know that the Conservative party understands their legitimate concerns. We do not sneer at people for wanting basic border controls. We are taking the tough decisions. We will stop the boats. We will secure the borders.

  • Robert Jenrick – 2023 Speech on Illegal Immigration

    Robert Jenrick – 2023 Speech on Illegal Immigration

    The speech made by Robert Jenrick, the Minister for Immigration, in the House of Commons on 29 March 2023.

    With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on illegal migration.

    Three months ago, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister set out a comprehensive plan to tackle illegal migration. We said we would act, and we have. We have increased immigration enforcement visits to their highest levels in recent years: since December, more than 3,500 enforcement visits have been carried out and more than 4,000 people with no right to be here have been removed. Anglo-French co-operation is now closer than ever before and will be deepened because of the deal struck by the Prime Minister earlier this month. We have expanded our partnership with Rwanda to include the relocation of all those who pass through safe countries to make illegal and dangerous journeys to the United Kingdom. Our modern slavery reforms, introduced in the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 to prevent those who seek to abuse our generosity from doing so, are bearing fruit. We are tackling the backlog in our asylum system by cutting unnecessary paperwork and simplifying country guidance. As a result, productivity has increased and we are on track to process the backlog of initial asylum decisions by the end of this year.

    We must ensure that our laws enable us to deal with the global migration crisis, which is why we have brought forward the Illegal Migration Bill. The Bill goes further than any previous immigration legislation to fix the problem of small boats, while remaining within the boundaries of our treaty obligations. Of course, as we reform the asylum system, we will continue to honour our country-specific and global safe and legal commitments.

    But we cannot and will not stop here, because illegal migration continues to impact the British public in their day-to-day lives. The sheer number of small boat arrivals has overwhelmed our asylum system and forced the Government to place asylum seekers in hotels. These hotels take valuable assets away from communities and place pressures on local public services. Seaside towns have lost tourist trade, weddings have been cancelled and local councils have had their resources diverted to manage them. The hard-working British taxpayer has been left to foot the eye-watering £2.3 billion a year bill. We must not elevate the wellbeing of illegal migrants above that of the British people; it is in their interests that we are sent here.

    The enduring solution to stop the boats is to take the actions outlined in our Bill, but in the meantime it is right that we act to correct the injustice of the current situation. I have heard time and again of councils up and down the country struggling to accommodate arrivals. This is no easy task; the Government recognise that placing asylum seekers into local areas comes at a cost, and so central Government will provide further financial support. Today, we are announcing a new funding package, which includes generous additional per-bed payments and continuation of the funding for every new dispersal bed available. We will also pilot an additional incentive payment where properties are made available faster.

    However, faced with the scale of the challenge, we must fundamentally alter our posture towards those who enter our country illegally. This Government remain committed to meeting our legal obligations to those who would otherwise be destitute, but we are not prepared to go further. Accommodation for migrants should meet their essential living needs and nothing more, because we cannot risk becoming a magnet for the millions of people who are displaced and seeking better economic prospects. Many of our European partners are struggling with the same issue: Belgium, Ireland, Germany and France are having to take similar steps, and the UK must adapt to this changing context.

    I have said before that we have to suffuse our entire system with deterrence, and this must include how we house illegal migrants. So today the Government are announcing the first tranche of sites we will set up to provide basic accommodation at scale. The Government will use military sites being disposed of in Essex and Lincolnshire and a separate site in East Sussex. These will be scaled up over the coming months and will collectively provide accommodation to several thousand asylum seekers through repurposed barrack blocks and portakabins. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is showing leadership on this issue by bringing forward proposals to provide accommodation at the Catterick garrison barracks in his constituency. We also continue to explore the possibility of accommodating migrants in vessels, as they are in Scotland and in the Netherlands.

    I want to be clear: these sites on their own will not end the use of hotels overnight. But alongside local dispersal and other forms of accommodation, which we will bring forward in due course, they will relieve pressure on our communities, and manage asylum seekers in a more appropriate and cost-effective way. Of course, we recognise the concerns of local residents and we are acutely aware of the need to minimise the impact of these sites on communities. Basic healthcare will be available, around-the-clock security will be provided on site and our providers will work closely with local police and other partners. Funding will be provided to local authorities in which these sites are located.

    These sites are undoubtedly in the national interest. We have to deliver them if we are to stop the use of hotels. We have to deliver them to save the British public from spending eye-watering amounts on accommodating illegal migrants. And we have to deliver them to prevent a pull factor for economic migrants on the continent from taking hold. Inaction is not an option. The British people rightly want us to tackle illegal migration. As I have set out today, we are doing exactly that and I commend this statement to the House.

  • Dominic Raab – 2023 Speech at the King’s Counsel Appointments Ceremony

    Dominic Raab – 2023 Speech at the King’s Counsel Appointments Ceremony

    The speech made by Dominic Raab, the Secretary of State for Justice, at Westminster Hall, London, on 29 March 2023.

    It’s a great pleasure to welcome you all, as you make your declarations…

    And confirm your new status as Kings Counsel, and Honorary King’s Counsel.

    This is the first time in over 70 years that a Lord Chancellor has presided over the appointment of ‘King’s Counsels’, since the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

    Of course, for all of you, I know this is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice.

    The late nights working on a brief,

    The weekends lost to preparing a case in court,

    The countless hours spent representing your clients will now,

    I hope, at long last be worth it today.

    You have made it to the pinnacle of your profession,

    You will be recognised for that by your peers, by the Crown,

    For what is an immense achievement.

    You, your families, friends, and colleagues, should rightly be very proud.

    Steeped in tradition going back to the 16th Century, the KC title has long been a hallmark of excellence.

    It acknowledges your experience, expertise and eminence in your particular fields of law.

    And so, today’s ceremony cements your status as ambassadors for a legal system envied across the world.

    And, as we celebrate your success in these historic surroundings…

    Arguably the birthplace of both British justice and democracy… You are taking your own place personally in our country’s distinguished legal history.

    Of course, the KC quality mark is recognised not just here in the UK, but abroad too.

    It holds up our legal professionals as the best in a global market.

    And it underpins the worldwide appeal of our legal system… along with our common law precedents and world-renowned independent judiciary.

    Our profession is, of course, also one of the reasons the UK has become the world’s pre-eminent centre for dispute resolution.

    Just to give you a flavour, in 2021, over 28,000 civil disputes were resolved through arbitration, mediation and adjudication in the UK, while more than 80 percent of the world’s maritime arbitrations are handled here.

    Businesses around the world turn to us time and time again to be their counsel and courtroom… because they know that a decision from a UK court carries a global kitemark… of impartiality, integrity and enforceability.

    It isn’t by luck that English and Welsh law is the choice for global business and international trade… used in some 40 percent of all global corporate arbitrations.

    Nor is it a surprise that more than 200 foreign law firms, from over 40 jurisdictions have branches in the UK.

    In fact, every single one of the world’s top 40 law firms has an office right here in London.

    A world-beating legal system goes hand-in-hand with our world-beating legal services…

    One of this country’s greatest exports – and at the heart of our future as a global, free-trading Britain.

    Our legal services support the growth of global trade and investment across the whole country… contributing billions to our economy each year.

    And it’s why we’re working hard to promote legal services abroad…

    Targeting priority markets, like the Indo-Pacific and the United States…

    And opening up market access for our legal professionals through free trade agreements… including current negotiations with India, the Gulf states, Canada, Mexico and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

    All this serves as a reminder that our KCs don’t just serve in English and Welsh courts.

    They make a huge contribution to the international rule of law. Never has this been more true than today.

    All the way back to Nuremberg, our legal professionals have played their part in bringing the worst war criminals to justice.

    Take Hartley Shawcross KC – a formidable advocate who led the British prosecution at Nuremberg.

    His opening and closing speeches widely held to be some of the finest of those historic, ground-breaking trials.

    He observed that while some thought the Nazis on trial should have faced summary justice ‘…swept aside into oblivion, without elaborate and careful investigation into the part they have played…’

    ‘Not so would the rule of law be raised and strengthened on the international as well as upon the municipal plane…

    Not so would future generations realise that right is not always on the side of the big battalions…

    Not so would the world be made aware that the waging of… war is not only a dangerous venture… but a criminal one.’

    I think Shawcross’s words resonate, when we consider the importance of the international rule of law… and the ‘elaborate and careful’ investigations currently underway into atrocities in Ukraine.

    Nuremberg paved the way for the prosecution of war crimes and genocide in Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia and other wars and conflicts…

    And our KCs have been instrumental in the development of international law in the decades since, alongside our allies.

    We just need only look to The Hague to see the influence of some of the UK’s best legal minds.

    Sir Geoffrey Nice, Steven Kay, Andrew Cayley and Jo Korner are just some of the exceptional British barristers to have made their mark there and beyond.

    And another Brit, Karim Khan KC, is currently Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court and responsible for the investigation into atrocities in Ukraine, among other vital work he’s doing.

    All of these appointments are a testament to the standard of our professionals and indeed their standing in the world.

    I saw it myself – twenty years ago as a Foreign Office lawyer… I was posted to The Hague to help bring war criminals to justice at the Yugoslavian and Rwandan tribunals.

    So, I know first-hand the impact the ICC and ad-hoc tribunals can have.

    I remember in particular, Radovan Karadžić, the so called Butcher of Bosnia.

    In 2004, as a fairly fresh faced lawyer, while serving in the Hague I negotiated a sentencing enforcement agreement between the UK and the UN.

    Back then, no one thought we would get to use it…

    But 17 years later, Karadžić was transferred to a UK jail cell under that agreement.

    As you can imagine, I was proud to be a small part of that effort… a 30-year pursuit for justice.

    Now as you will know, on 17th of March, the ICC indicted President Putin for the forcible removal of children from Ukraine. An appalling crime.

    Today again, many doubters ask whether he will face the dock of a court.

    We know, these cases are complex, and it will take patience.

    To the doubters and the cynics I point to Karadžić, to Milošević, to Charles Taylor and others…

    To know that justice is on our side, and history is on our side.

    But justice doesn’t happen by accident.

    It requires deeds, not just words.

    That is why, a week ago today in the UK I hosted a meeting of justice ministers from around the world…

    Bringing together over 40 nations to agree support for the ICC, and its independent investigation into war crimes in Ukraine.

    I’m pleased we could agree that package that will support the ICC’s work in all its investigations.

    But looking at the country and profession, the real success was bringing 42 other countries together to offer support…

    Through the secondment of their national experts, the sharing of best practice to support the most vulnerable victims… and financial support to assist the ICC in its vital work.

    This is global Britain as a force for good in the world – galvanising other nations to act.

    In the same spirit, I have no doubt that many of you will go on to great things at home… and abroad… Building on the achievements of the remarkable KCs that have gone before you.

    I know you will make us proud.

    Today, we are also here to recognise eight candidates being appointed Honorary KCs, for outstanding contributions to the law outside of the courts.

    Our first candidate, John Battle, is a driving force in the campaign for open justice and in particular filming court proceedings.

    He is recognised for his extensive work with the media, Ministry of Justice, and with the senior judiciary.

    Next, Professor Lionel Bently is a universally respected scholar, nominated for his role in influencing intellectual property law in this country and beyond.

    Professor Richard Ekins has made a major contribution to public debate, and parliamentary deliberation, about the constitutional role of the courts…. Issues which are very close to my heart.

    Then we have Professor Rosemary Hunter, a leading Family Justice scholar. Rosemary is recognised for her important work in the field of domestic abuse, which has helped to shape the law in this area.

    Next, Dr Ann Olivarius, recognised for her vital role in the fields of women’s rights, sexual harassment and sexual abuse.

    She was absolutely instrumental in lobbying Parliament to pass laws against so-called ‘cyber flashing’, which I am proud we have now done.

    We also have Professor Richard Susskind is recognised for his important work to promote technology and innovation in legal and court services across England and Wales.

    Next, James Wakefield is nominated for his work to promote better access to the Barrister profession… encouraging retention of those from under-represented groups from across our society.

    Then we have Professor Julian Vincent Roberts, a leading authority on sentencing theory, policy, and practice.

    His work has made a major contribution to the analysis and development of sentencing worldwide.

    Last but certainly not least, there is Sir Michael Wood – a prominent member of the International Law Commission, recognised for his invaluable contribution to the teaching and application of international law in the UK and beyond.

    I have to say, there is one blot on his CV that I feel duty bound to point out.

    Sir Michael recruited me to the Foreign Office legal advisers in 2000, and then deployed me to the Hague between 2003 to 6.

    And was very much a mentor during that time, please don’t hold it against him.

    No one’s perfect.

    Of course, that’s just a brief mention of our recipients’ contribution to the law, which goes so much further.

    In closing, let me say again what an honour it is to preside over this ceremony.

    I hope you enjoy today’s celebration with your family and friends.

    It is truly well deserved.

    Each and every one of you here today is a shining example – the brightest and best of British justice, an inspiration to the next generation of lawyers.

    I’ve absolutely no doubt you will go on to even greater things in future…

    Playing your part in upholding the reputation of the finest legal system in the world.

  • Gillian Keegan – 2023 Speech to BETT 2023

    Gillian Keegan – 2023 Speech to BETT 2023

    The speech made by Gillian Keegan, the Secretary of State for Education, in London on 29 March 2023.

    Mankind’s great light-bulb moments, especially the transformational ones, rely on someone turning inspiration into innovation.

    Before becoming an MP, I spent almost 30 years in business and largely in tech, so it’s a real pleasure for me to be with you here today.

    I spent many years in the financial sector, where among other things I worked on the development of digital payments, to power ecommerce and mcommerce – remember them.

    And I got to see life-changing innovation in action.

    Back then, when you bought a new TV you got out a simple, magstripe credit card; if you wanted to book a family holiday, you queued up at a travel agents.

    I was part of a coalition of banks and mastercard that developed early digital payments using chip and pin technology which was a retail game changer at the time.

    Like many in this room, I’ve seen some incredible tech transformations during my business career. I’ve seen innovation come to life and disrupt whole industries. And I’ve learnt many things along the journey.

    First, you can’t innovate if you haven’t got the basics right;

    Second, you need to know what problems you are solving and not cause new ones;

    And third, what sounds far-fetched now will be commonplace in a couple of years. Tech moves fast.

    These lessons have served me well, and I think we have a lot to learn in education, which has often lagged in tech adoption.

    Let’s look at the basics.

    Top of the list is connectivity. I almost said ‘obviously’. But I guess it can’t be that obvious if some schools are still battling glacial broadband speeds. Connectivity in schools, like everywhere, is a basic utility like water or electricity.

    We are delivering on the pledge made last year to enable all schools to connect to gigabit broadband by 2025.

    We’ve run the procurement for schools in the South West of England, and we’re working with schools across the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and Humber to get new fibre infrastructure.

    We’re also upgrading school WiFi networks that don’t meet our connectivity standards in the 55 Local Authorities where school outcomes are the weakest.

    We need to get the basics right.

    Which brings me on to my second point.

    I’m not the first Education Secretary to say that when it comes to tech, what schools need is stuff that just works, that solves a real problem.

    Tech that doesn’t work is an expensive and potentially dangerous mistake, and it’s one that schools cannot afford to make.

    That is why we are launching the latest set of technology standards. These will build on those published last year and will help schools to develop effective and safe strategies, including safeguarding pupils from potentially harmful and inappropriate material online.

    In September we will also be launching a pilot service in Blackpool and Portsmouth, both priority education investment areas, that will help schools meet standards, make the best use of their technology and plan more effectively for the future.

    We know for instance, that teachers still spend too much time on admin, lesson planning and marking.

    I know there are brilliant products out there to help and many schools use them. With many of the best nominated at the Bett awards this evening.

    I’m also glad to see so many innovative maths tools represented.

    I want to make it easier for schools and colleges to know what works – so we need to see evidence about what your products can do in the real world.

    Which brings me to my third and final point – the game changer.

    Artificial Intelligence.

    I know the education sector, like many, has had its fair share of false dawns when it comes to technology. In some places, really effective and integrated use of tech is making a difference already, but the tasks that really drive workload – things like planning, marking and giving 1-2-1 support to pupils – remain largely unchanged.

    AI will have the power to transform a teacher’s day-to-day work. We’ve seen people using it to write lesson plans, and some interesting experiments around marking too.

    Can it do those things now, to the standard we need? No. Should the time it saves ever come at the cost of the quality produced by a skilled teacher? Absolutely not.

    But could we get to a point where the tasks that really drain teachers’ time are significantly reduced? I think we will.

    Getting to that point is a journey we in this room can go on together – and just as we’ve responded to other innovations like the calculator and Google, we’ll use technology to deliver better outcomes for students.

    We will empower you and support you to try things, to see what works, and you must do the same for each other, by working together.

    We have kicked off that journey today by publishing a statement on the DfE’s website that says a bit more about the opportunities, as well as the risks, that AI brings to education.

    I’m genuinely excited about driving this forward with sector experts including regulators, educators, researchers and the tech sector.

    This is part of the government’s pro-innovation approach to AI regulation, as evidenced by our AI White Paper and the launch of a Foundation Model Taskforce, which will also consider UK domestic capability in this important technology.

    My hope is that quite soon I’ll be able to tell you more about how we can establish a plan for getting the most out of AI in education, as well as protecting against the risks.

    Tech is a tool, and it’s one that schools haven’t yet managed to get the most out of, but it can’t be the tail that wags the dog.

    We have to look at others’ best practice – whether that be Estonia’s integrated education data, or South Korea’s exemplary leadership in AI transition. It is great to see so many of you from overseas here today to do that, and to have met some of you earlier. But we must also lead with our own best practice.

    We’ve already done it in banking, we’ve already done it in travel. We’ve done it in retail, in music, in entertainment. We cannot wait a moment longer to do it in education. I know I’m preaching to the converted here and lots of you are already on this journey

    There’s a great quote by the late Steve Jobs, who once said: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” This is what great innovators do and I know this country’s schools, colleges and universities can be a beacon for innovation that will transform education.

    Thank you.

  • Michelle Donelan – 2023 Speech at the Lord Mayor’s Innovation and Technology Dinner

    Michelle Donelan – 2023 Speech at the Lord Mayor’s Innovation and Technology Dinner

    The speech made by Michelle Donelan, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, at the Mansion House in the City of London on 29 March 2023.

    The last year has been a year of firsts for technology in the UK.

    For the first time, our tech sector joined China and the USA, as the only countries in the world worth over one trillion dollars.

    The government acquired its very first quantum computer.

    And I am here tonight as our country’s first Technology Secretary.

    But tonight’s event is reassuringly not one of those firsts.

    Nearly 150 years ago, 300 of the country’s best inventors, scientists and technology experts had a dinner just like this at Mansion House.

    They discussed the future of science and technology, wondering what incredible opportunities might be around the corner.

    They sat where we are sitting this evening, before the lightbulb had even been invented, and helped to start a technology revolution that went beyond anything any single one of them could have imagined.

    The next day, the Morning Post described the dinner as a turning point for the United Kingdom – ushering in the age of science and technology.

    Now while I hope we all go away this evening with a renewed sense of optimism for the future, our generations’ technological turning point is not happening in a single dining hall.

    It is happening in cities, towns and villages where the next generation of coders and software engineers are innovating from their own living rooms.

    It is happening in shared office spaces where Britain’s brightest and best are collaborating.

    It is happening in our public services, where our NHS, transport system and military are gradually becoming hotbeds of innovation.

    Our technology revolution is more democratic, open and inclusive than ever before.

    Listening to industry, following the evidence and focusing on outcomes – is the approach that drove many of those here tonight to success,

    And it is the approach that I and my new Department are taking.

    This evening, I want to talk about three of my priorities to drive this incredible culture of entrepreneurialism and creativity forward, and how we are going to solidify this country as a Science and Tech Superpower by the end of this decade.

    At the heart of that mission is going to be scaleups.

    The UK digital sector is growing three times faster than the rest of the economy.

    We are home to over 85,000 tech startups and scale ups, providing over 3 million jobs.

    But it is about more than pounds and pence.

    When we create the right conditions to allow tech businesses to scaleup and grow, it doesn’t just create jobs and grow the economy it advances our way of life:

    Hospitals get next generation, lifesaving equipment.

    Public transport becomes safer, faster and cheaper.

    The police and emergency services become more effective and efficient.

    For people up and down the country, scaling up tech businesses of the future will produce the types of technological breakthroughs that allow us all to live longer, happier, healthier and smarter.

    But there is no magic formula.

    For some businesses, scaleup will require access to the right kind of capital investment.

    Others may need to plug into a cluster or an ecosystem in a local area.

    And many simply need a combination of things like skills, finance, partner organisations and access to new technologies like quantum or supercomputers.

    In just 7 weeks of the department’s existence, we have listened to business and been delivering.

    From our £2.5 billion quantum package, to the UK becoming just one of a handful of countries on the planet building a £900 million exascale supercomputer – we are building the infrastructure that will act as the runway for new scaleups.

    But it is not just about public money.

    Investors and financial institutions are going to be crucial.

    For every pound the government invests in R&D right now, the private sector is investing about 2.

    That is why the Chancellor announced that we are supporting qualifying R&D intensive small businesses with £27 worth of support for every £100 of private expenditure.

    £1.8 billion over the next 5 years.

    It is no wonder then that the UK is attracting more investment into technology than France and Germany combined.

    And we are the Fintech capital of Europe attracting more investment last year than any country expect the US.

    And I am delighted that Ron Kalifa is here with us today, whose review into fintech has been crucial for capitalising on our competitive edge in a uniquely British area of expertise.

    Governments are often accused, of talking too much and acting too little.

    This government is not one of them.

    Instead, we are listening to what businesses and entrepreneurs are asking for … and delivering.

    To name just 2 of the new investments we have launched in less than 7 weeks…

    Our brand new Tech Missions Fund

    – which is backed by £250 million will help businesses scaleup in key technologies like quantum and bioengineering.

    I am also uplifting the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund by a further £10 million to help scaleups attract private investment.

    This comes up top of quantum and supercomputing capabilities

    – which will fuel thousands of new scaleups across the country.

    These are just a handful of what will be a constant drumbeat, of action-focussed announcements you will see from me in the coming months.

    However, just as those sat here 150 years ago knew, the people in this room tonight know that innovators are our greatest asset.

    People, skills and talent are the lifeblood of our technology sector.

    I mentioned earlier that last year the UK became only the third country in the world with a tech sector worth over one trillion dollars.

    It is only the United States and China who have also passed that incredible milestone.

    What you may not have heard is how much those 3 countries owe to skills for their success.

    If you look behind the rankings, you find that each of these 3 countries understand the importance of skills.

    Just consider the fact that of the 25 highest ranking universities in the world, 22 of them are located in those 3 countries.

    And it is also no coincidence that those 3 countries also occupy 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the rankings for the number of academic publications per year, and between them produce more Nobel Prize winners than the rest of the world combined.

    However getting to a trillion dollar valuation is no accident – in each of these 3 cases it came about because the importance of skills was recognised.

    But as our Science and Technology Framework recently set out, we are not content to simply be a challenger nation to China and the United States.

    We want to become a genuine Science and Technology Superpower by 2030.

    In the 7 weeks since I became the Secretary of State, I made skills a key priority and have started to take decisive action…

    Working with the Department for Business and Trade we have started a Global Talent Network for AI to bring the best AI minds in the world to come and work in the UK.

    We’re pumping an extra £50 million into modernising our world class labs.

    And we’re doubling the number of AI PhD researchers.

    That’s what we’ve done in 7 weeks – imagine what we’ll have done in 7 months.

    However, the right skills and the right scaleup ecosystem won’t deliver results if we don’t have the right approach to regulation.

    Not only do regulations themselves need to be clear to interpret and simple to implement, but we have to have the right regulatory behaviour.

    Of course regulations need to be grounded in common-sense for people to understand their intention, but they also need to be agile enough to keep up with the pace of change, especially in areas like AI with a cohesive framework that all regulators can work to.

    And you will hear more this week when we launch the AI White Paper, because regulation must not stamp out innovation.

    Regulate to innovate is the culture I am bringing to my new department.

    Just take data – it is the foundation for innovation across science and technology.

    Once again, rather than simply diagnose the problem, my department is getting stuck in with the solution.

    We launched a co-design process with businesses on data, some of whom will be here tonight, to create a new, bespoke and simplified version of GDPR for the UK.

    UK GDPR, will build on the strengths of EU GDPR, while ensuring that we maintain our adequacy status to allow businesses to trade and share data across Europe safely.

    To be clear it won’t mean companies trading with the EU will have to run 2 systems, because companies operating on EU GDPR will largely comply with our system automatically with some minor changes like a requirement for a complaints system.

    UK GDPR will however be simpler and easier to follow – avoiding the behaviour we often currently see where companies can become data adverse.

    Talking of regulation – a few weeks ago we published our Science and Technology Framework document, one of the 10 points is dedicated to regulations and standards– setting out a pro-growth, pro-innovation and pro-business approach.

    It also provides business with the government’s long term strategic direction needed to provide clarity, stability and confidence.

    This will be backed up by our soon to be published AI White Paper, which sets the UK apart in AI by ensuring that agility and innovation come first.

    And just the other week, we announced in the government’s response to the Vallance Review that we will be accepting all recommendations starting with the creation of an AI sandbox.

    We agree the government should avoid regulating emerging digital technologies too early, to avoid the risk of stifling innovation.

    Before I hand over to the Brian McBride,

    I want to leave you all with one thought for the coming year.

    Whether you are a captain of industry or a young entrepreneur, we want to work with you to achieve our goal to become a Science and Technology superpower.

    But be in no doubt, we are not chasing that title for status or glory.

    Being a Science and Technology Superpower is not about records, rankings or awards.

    I will be measuring our success by the things that matter to real people.

    When all is said and done, access to technology is often the difference between living comfortably… and having to live with hardship.

    It is the difference between having a job that is fulfilling and meaningful… and simply working to survive.

    Very often, it is the difference between losing a loved one prematurely… and having them here with us.

    I want our generation’s technology revolution to change everyone’s lives for the better in ways they can see and feel around them.

    If we can achieve that, then we will truly be a Science and Technology Superpower.

    Thank you once again.

  • Kieran Mullan – 2023 Speech on the Firearms Bill

    Kieran Mullan – 2023 Speech on the Firearms Bill

    The speech made by Kieran Mullan, the Conservative MP for Crewe and Nantwich, in the House of Commons on 24 March 2023.

    I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

    It is a privilege for me to move the Bill’s Third Reading, on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich West (Shaun Bailey), following its recent consideration in Committee.

    The UK has some of the toughest gun controls in the world, and robust licensing controls are key to keeping the public safe. Firearms deaths or serious injuries are relatively rare, but the consequences of firearms in the wrong hands can be devastating. That is why we keep our controls under constant review to safeguard against firearms falling into the hands of criminals, terrorists and other individuals who might put public safety at risk, while ensuring that legitimate firearms users can participate in shooting safely, through an effective licensing system.

    The Bill will help to further strengthen the controls by addressing two vulnerabilities that could be exploited by criminals, terrorists and others with a malicious intent. Clause 1 deals with controls on miniature rifle ranges. It would be fair to say that the current exemption in law for miniature rifle ranges is a lesser-known area of firearms law, but it is none the less extremely important that we improve the legislative regulation relating to them. Section 11(4) of the Firearms Act 1968 at present allows a person conducting or carrying on a miniature rifle range or shooting gallery at which only miniature rifles and ammunition not exceeding .23-inch calibre or air weapons are used to purchase, acquire or possess miniature rifles or ammunition without a firearm certificate. Additionally, a person can use these rifles and ammunition at such a range without a certificate. Although the term “miniature rifle” is used in the legislation, the firearms this applies to are lethal guns that are otherwise subject to the requirement for the holder to apply for a certificate in order to possess them.

    The existing exemption in section 11(4) of the 1968 Act means that a person can purchase firearms and operate a miniature rifle range, at which others can shoot, without a certificate and therefore without having undergone the usual stringent police checks on a person’s suitability and assessment of how they will store and use the firearms safely. The police and others have raised concerns that the exemption is a loophole in firearms law that is vulnerable to abuse by criminals or terrorists seeking to access firearms and sidestep the usual robust checks carried out by the police.

    Mr Louie French (Old Bexley and Sidcup) (Con)

    My hon. Friend is making a compelling case, and I entirely support the Bill’s aim in tackling crime, closing those loopholes and increasing public safety. However, will he give further reassurance that this Bill, through targeting these loopholes, will not have an undue impact on those who collect such rifles for historical and ornamental purposes, not for shooting? Will he confirm that it will not put too much of a burden on such people, who already go through checks? This issue has been raised by a constituent who is a collector of such weapons.

    Dr Mullan

    I thank my hon. Friend for raising that question. His remarks are particularly pertinent to clause 2, on ammunition components and parts of guns that people might own, whether they are miniature rifles or not. I assure him that that element of the law focuses on the person’s intent, as I will come on to describe. If a person has reasonable grounds for having the components of ammunition, and it is clear to the police that they have no malicious or untoward intent, they will be okay.

    As I say, the miniature rifle range exemption has been in existence for many years, and is used extensively by small-bore rifle clubs to introduce newcomers to sport shooting. It is used by some schools and colleges, activity centres offering targeted shooting, at game fairs, and in a number of other legitimate environments. Many of those would be severely affected if the exemption were removed entirely, which was never the intention. If it were removed, clubs could no longer enable newcomers to try out target shooting in a safe, controlled way. In recognition of this, the Bill preserves the benefits of the miniature rifle range exemption, while bringing in appropriate controls by making it a requirement that the rifle range operator be granted a firearm certificate by the police, having undergone all the necessary checks as to suitability, security and good reason.

    The Bill also more tightly defines what may be considered a miniature rifle. It restricts the definition to .22-inch rimfire guns, which are lower-powered rifles. There is concern that the definition in current legislation—

    “not exceeding .23 inch calibre”—

    could allow the use of more powerful firearms that would not be suitable for use on a miniature rifle range by an uncertified person, even when the necessary supervision and safety measures are in place.

    The second firearms measure in the Bill is the measure on ammunition, which will help the police to tackle unlawful manufacture of ammunition by introducing a new offence of possessing its component parts with an intent to assemble unauthorised quantities of complete ammunition. The police have raised concerns that the component parts of ammunition are too easy to obtain, and are being used by criminals to manufacture whole rounds of ammunition.

    Mr French

    My hon. Friend is making a really passionate speech. He has picked up on some interesting distinctions between what will be in the Bill and what will not. Could he please outline what guidance there will be for the police, who will have to enforce the measures, on these clear distinctions in the law?

    Dr Mullan

    Again, my hon. Friend makes an important point. I welcome the opportunity to clarify that, as he says, the police will have to make new and different decisions in enforcing this legislation. I am pleased to say that a new training and quality assurance package for police firearm licensing teams is being developed, which will contribute to their being able to make those decisions in a reliable and effective way.

    It might be helpful if I briefly explained what the components of ammunition are, and how they go together to make a round of ammunition. The components are the gunpowder, used to propel a projectile from a firearm; the primer, which is an explosive compound that ignites the gunpowder, projectile or bullet; and the cartridge case. There are already controls on primers in the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006. Section 35 of that Act makes it an offence to sell or purchase primers unless the purchaser is authorised to possess them—for example, by being a registered firearms dealer, or by holding a firearm certificate authorising them to possess ammunition for a firearm.

    Controls on the possession of gunpowder are set out in the Explosives Regulations 2014, which state that with certain exceptions, anyone wanting to acquire or keep explosives must hold an explosives certificate issued by the police. The projectiles or bullets and the cartridge case are constructed of inert material, and are not controlled. Frankly, given the nature of those two components and the quantities in which they are made, it would be difficult to control their possession, and there is no wish to do so.

    The present situation can make the prosecution of certain cases by the police difficult. Where there is intent to produce ammunition unlawfully, the police may be unable to progress with certain criminal cases if the materials found are not controlled. In view of those concerns, the firearms safety consultation sought views on whether controls on component parts of ammunition remained sufficient, or whether they should be strengthened by making it an offence to possess component parts with intent to assemble unauthorised quantities of ammunition. As I say, intent is vital. A majority of respondents—62% —agreed or strongly agreed that possession of component parts of ammunition with intent to manufacturer unauthorised quantities of complete rounds of ammunition should be made an offence.

    Assembly of ammunition requires use of the various component parts, including the restricted and unrestricted components. The new offence will better enable the police to prosecute criminals who are manufacturing ammunition, including in cases in which only some of the component parts are present, provided that intent is shown. It will be a significant step forward in helping the police to tackle gun crime.

    This is a small but important Bill. Events such as those in Keyham in August 2021, on Skye in August 2022 and more recently at Epsom College are clear reminders that we cannot afford to be complacent about the risks that firearms present. The Bill will address two identified vulnerabilities in this country’s firearms controls, and it is right that we take action to address them. I very much appreciate the support that it has so far received; I am sure that my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich West feels the same. I commend the Bill to the House.

  • Robert Halfon – 2023 Speech to the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network Conference

    Robert Halfon – 2023 Speech to the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network Conference

    The speech made by Robert Halfon, the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, at the Mansion House in London on 28 March 2023.

    Introduction

    I’m delighted to be here today with so many enthusiastic apprenticeship champions at this spectacular venue.

    This building’s first stone was laid in 1739 – yet Mansion House was not completed until 19 years later. Recruiting more construction apprentices should have been a priority!

    Today, my mission is to ensure that high-quality apprenticeships create a ladder of opportunity to boost our country’s skills, growth and productivity.

    We need to expand these opportunities for people of all ages. They need to see the full picture of their career options to make informed choices.

    And we need employers to take on apprentices in greater numbers – particularly SMEs. Nurturing apprentices’ talent can secure a competitive advantage, and equip the workforce with skills to enhance productivity.

    Apprenticeship Ambassador Network

    I want to thank you all for your work as Apprenticeship Ambassadors. You have excellent leadership in Anthony Impey, Kathryn Marshall, Tom Culley – and the regional employer and apprentice Chairs.

    It’s a magnificent achievement that the network now extends to almost 900 employers, and over 350 apprentice ambassadors.

    You demonstrate the incredible impact of apprenticeships on employers and apprentices – helping to change the mindsets of business leaders and young people.

    This is why the Government is investing in high-quality apprenticeships – with funding reaching £2.7 billion by 2024-25. Because apprenticeships are the catalyst to driving forward a better future.

    You are helping us build a revitalised apprenticeship programme by spreading the word.

    I applaud your aim to have an Ambassador partnered with every secondary school and college in England over the next 3 years.

    That’s no mean feat – there are over 3,500 of them!

    And to get Ambassadors to buddy-up with small businesses – they’ll listen because you’re a trusted voices on what apprenticeships can offer.

    Your Network’s new strategy is a charter for government’s decision to bring about a skills revolution. Together, we will accomplish it.

    Pillars of reform

    The ‘A’ badge I’m wearing features a ladder.

    High-quality apprenticeships provide people with a Ladder of Opportunity, which is held up by 2 pillars.

    The first is opportunities and social justice.

    To every young person I meet, my message is:

    ‘No matter who you are, or where you are from, or whatever career you want to do – an apprenticeship will open doors for you’.

    I’ve read about Amy Groves, one of your Apprentice Ambassadors from Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire. Amy left school at 16, and worked in a fish and chip shop for a few years. While her friends were getting ready to go to university, Amy wanted to find her own way. But no one told her about the power of apprenticeships.

    At 24, Amy realised her friends had graduated and landed good jobs – paying far more than the chip shop.

    Amy decided to take a risk. She left her job and took a temporary contract on the HR helpdesk at Lloyds Bank. She described how it opened her eyes to a whole new world, to people from all backgrounds and cultures.

    Amy described how she “fell in love with the opportunities”.

    The she saw an advert for the bank’s IT group apprentices.

    She says:

    “I read the job description. Then I read it again. Each time the jargon didn’t make sense – but I picked out the keywords of collaboration, communication, and willingness to learn.

    Well, that’s me right there.”

    Amy has now been an apprentice at Lloyds Banking Group for 3 years. She’s completed Level 3 IT Solutions Technician, and is working towards a Level 4 DevOps apprenticeship.

    Amy is evidence – apprenticeships do transform lives. We need these opportunities reach the people who need them most. This includes low-income groups, minority communities, and those who have left care.

    That’s why the apprenticeships care-leavers’ bursary is being increased to £3,000 from August 1st, and employers and training providers will continue to get £1,000 each in funding for every care leaver they take on.

    Talent is not defined by geography, or circumstance, or heritage. People are our country’s greatest assets, and we have a responsibility to ensure everyone can make a positive contribution socially and economically.

    Social justice demands that any disadvantaged person can aspire to do a Degree Apprenticeship. These prestigious qualifications allow apprentices to earn while they learn, and graduate free from student debt.

    Level 6 and 7 apprenticeships now make up more than 1 in 10 of all new apprenticeships starts. 94% of Level 7 apprentices from the 2019/20 academic year are in sustained employment. Level 6 achievers earned a median income of over £34,500 after achieving – and Level 7 achievers earned nearly £39,000.

    There’s an incredibly diverse range of higher-level apprenticeships at Levels 6 and 7 as well – going well beyond management – including Police Constable, Registered Nurse, Chartered Surveyor and Teacher. They are providing alternative pathways into these sought-after professions.

    These are opportunities we need to keep amplifying, loudly!

    We’ve allocated £8 million of funding to Higher Education providers to grow Degree Apprenticeship provision. That ties in with the Second Pillar of the Ladder – strengthening Higher and Further education. For the latter, we are continuing to bolster the post-16 system to support outstanding teaching, high-quality provision and well-run training providers.

    First rung of the ladder

    The Ladder of Opportunity has 5 rungs.

    The first rung is careers empowerment. Careers information must be about work experience and skills.

    I travelled the country from Sunderland to Oldham, from Sheffield to Basingstoke, during National Apprenticeship Week. I heard many apprentices had found out more about apprenticeships from friends, family, Instagram, and Tik Tok than they had at school.

    This has to change – and let me be clear, this will change.

    We need to get careers advice right every single time. It has to be impartial and comprehensive, presenting every option.

    When you arrived in London today, you had a choice of routes. Get to Mansion House by tube, taxi, bus, or walk. You knew the options to complete your journey.

    Like a travel app, careers empowerment will help students make the correct choices using the most up-to-date information.

    And this is where you come in – to make sure young people also hear about apprenticeships from those who’ve been there and done them (and got the badge).

    Second rung of the ladder

    The second rung of the Ladder of Opportunity is about championing apprenticeships and skills that employers need.

    I want to emphasise here why SMEs are integral to the success of programmes such as apprenticeships and T Levels.

    SMEs are our great innovators, building new businesses and broadening the economy. It’s an economic imperative that we connect more SMEs to technical education students.

    Evidence shows SMEs are more likely to employ younger people learners compared to larger employers. In 2020-21, 83% of new apprenticeship recruits who started with an SME were under 25 years old. And SMEs have an impressive track-record in hiring people in disadvantaged areas.

    Our support extends to paying 95 per cent of the training costs for SMEs. But we recognise that they face barriers in engaging with technical education – an issue I want to resolve. SMEs can soar ahead, if they can access the rich potential of highly-skilled employees.

    We know SMEs are time-starved, dealing with the daily pressures of running a business in a fierce economic climate. One thing I can guarantee is that my time is always available to them, regarding apprenticeships hire. I’m looking at how we can to support them to take-on more – no measures or solutions are off the table.

    We have already committed to meaningful steps to help SMEs get behind apprenticeships in greater numbers.

    We will make it easier and quicker for larger employers to agree the transfer of funds to SMEs to enable them to take on more apprentices – and help ensure training providers receive timely payment.

    Since 2021, 320 employers – including as Amazon, Nat West, B&Q, John Lewis, Serco, National Grid, and Asda, have pledged to transfer over £21 million to support apprenticeships in other businesses.

    Future changes will allow the employer transferring funds to give greater control and autonomy to the SME, so they can use funds without further approvals.

    This year, we also plan to double the number of starts on the ‘Skills Bootcamp: Pathway to Accelerated Apprenticeships’ model. This is all about progression – allowing individuals to get ‘in’ via a Bootcamp, and then get ‘on’ to an apprenticeship.

    And the focus is on speed – enabling learners to access an accelerated apprenticeship, which they wouldn’t have been able to do previously.

    For SMEs, we understand there can be issues attracting candidates, including costs, especially in the digital arenas. SMEs can recruit directly off a Bootcamp at no cost – and they gain someone who has already tested their new career and developed new skills.

    This means these candidates hit the ground running from day one. And they become occupationally competent more quickly. There is compelling evidence that learners can speed up their apprenticeship journey by between 3 to 6 months, which includes their Bootcamp stint.

    In Wave One of the Bootcamps, SME engagement stood at 76%. This means that SMEs were heavily involved in the design and delivery – as well as recruiting Bootcamp graduates.

    We are also targeting SMEs who have expressed interest in apprenticeships, providing additional multi-channel support to help them take the next steps. We’re scaling up the SME helpline which provides direct support – and linking up the Network, so you can buddy with 3,000 new SMEs in their early stages. This means SMEs can avoid common pitfalls and learn best practice techniques quickly – from the experts.

    We are also making it simpler and quicker for an SME to take on their first apprentice. This will be achieved with a redesigned registration process that aims to overcome common challenges SMEs have told us about. We do listen.

    This reduces the need for unnecessary processes – and allows an employer to ask the training provider to do more of the account administration (where they want this). There will also be new enhanced advice and guidance via GOV.UK specifically for SMEs, including new peer-to-peer videos.

    In addition, we are also simplifying our funding rules to be more straightforward for employers, providers and apprentices – so that they can focus on delivery, not administration.

    Rules will be removed where we don’t need them, and streamlined where we do. We have also committed to publishing the draft rules as early as possible, to help businesses to adapt to them.

    I am on the side of SMEs – and am already looking for more we can do in the future.

    Third rung of the ladder

    The third rung of the Ladder is about high-quality qualifications. High quality is the DNA of apprenticeships – I will never compromise on quality.

    We now have over 640 apprenticeship Standards, designed by employers, for employers covering science, fashion, engineering, broadcasting, sport, construction. The opportunities are endless!

    Apprenticeship Standards are rigorous, challenging, and robust, because they have to meet the needs of employers. And apprentices must have the confidence that they will acquire the skills and knowledge they need in the global talent race.

    Fourth rung of the ladder

    The fourth rung of the Ladder is lifelong learning.

    We need to give people the opportunity to train, retrain, and upskill throughout their lives to respond to the changing demands of businesses.

    The robots are coming, but we’ll always need skilled people. The trick is to make sure people can gain those skills when the economy shifts.

    Fifth rung of the ladder

    The fifth rung, at the very top of the Ladder, is job security and prosperity.

    The skills system has to support people into secure, sustained, and well-paid employment.

    Conclusion

    Apprenticeships represent everything I believe – education, aspiration, hard work and commitment.

    I know that you all believe this too.

    On your conference website, there’s a quote:

    ‘Never underestimate the influence that you have on others’.

    That sums up why I, the DfE, employers, apprentices, students, local communities, and the country needs your advocacy and enthusiasm for apprenticeships.

    Together, we can all inspire and excite everyone we reach – to build growth, productivity and opportunities for all.

  • Humza Yousaf – 2023 Speech After Becoming SNP Leader and First Minister

    Humza Yousaf – 2023 Speech After Becoming SNP Leader and First Minister

    The speech made by Humza Yousaf, the new leader of the SNP, on 27 March 2023.

    Can I thank the National Secretary for overseeing the ballot and our team at Headquarters for their efforts throughout this process.

    It is hard to find the words to describe just how honoured I am to be entrusted by the membership of the SNP to be our Party’s next leader, and to be on the cusp of being our country’s next First Minister.

    Can I begin by paying tribute to my colleagues, Kate and Ash.

    During almost 20 hustings it probably felt like we saw more of each other than we did our respective partners. You both have put in an incredible shift, and I know you will continue to work hard as part of Team SNP.

    I am not just humbled, of that I most certainly am, I also feel like the luckiest man in the world to be standing here as Leader of the SNP, a party I joined almost 20 years ago and that I love so dearly.

    Friends, the late John Smith got it absolutely right when he said, “The opportunity to serve our country, is all we ask”.

    To serve my country as First Minister will be the greatest privilege and honour of my life, should Parliament decide to elect me as Scotland’s next First Minister tomorrow.

    And just as I will lead the SNP in the interests of all party members, not just those who voted for me, so I will lead Scotland in the interests of all our citizens whatever your political allegiance.

    If elected as your First Minister after tomorrow’s vote in Parliament, know that I will be a First Minister for all of Scotland, that I will work every minute of every day to earn and re-earn your respect and your trust.

    I will do that by treating you, the people of Scotland with respect.

    There will be no empty promises, no easy soundbites when the issues in front of us are difficult and complex, because government is not easy and I won’t pretend it is.

    My immediate priority will be to continue to protect every Scot as far as we can from the harm inflicted by the cost of living crisis, to recover and reform our NHS and other vital public services, to support our wellbeing economy and to improve the life chances of people across our country.

    I will move quickly to develop plans to extend childcare, improve rural housing, support small business, and boost innovation.

    I will bring forward reforms of the criminal justice system and work with local government to empower our local authorities.

    And as First Minister I will not shy away from the tough challenges, those that require the difficult decisions, but where there is that challenge, I will use it to find opportunity.

    My government will seize the economic and social opportunities of the journey to Net Zero, a country as energy rich as Scotland should not have people living in fuel poverty.

    The Government I lead will renew and redouble our efforts to lift people out of poverty, to make work fair and make our economy work for people, and to ensure as we become a more prosperous country we also become a fairer country.

    And while I have had my fair share of battles with the UK Government over the years, and there may well be some more to come. I will work with them, and with other devolved nations constructively where I can in the best interests of our nation.

    I am a proud Scot, and equally a proud European too, and Scotland is a European nation.

    We want to return to the European Union and play our part in building a continent based on human rights, peace, prosperity and social justice

    To the people of Scotland, the SNP has earned your trust by governing well, by ensuring that our priorities are your priorities.

    As a Party, and a Government, we are at our best when we are radical and bold and the challenges we face today require nothing less of us.

    That is what I promise the people of Scotland if Parliament puts its trust in me tomorrow.

    Joining the SNP, for me, was an act of hope and also statement of intent.

    I was determined then, as I am now, as the 14th leader of this great party, that we will deliver independence for Scotland – together as a team.

    Leadership elections by their nature can be bruising, however, in the SNP we are a family.

    Over the last five weeks we may have been competitors or supporters of different candidates, but from today – we are no longer team Humza, Ash or Kate, we are one team, and we will be the team, we will be the generation that delivers independence for Scotland.

    Where there are divisions to heal we must do so and do so quickly because we have a job to do and as a Party we are at our strongest when we are united, and what unites is our shared goal of delivering independence for our nation.

    To those in Scotland who don’t yet share the passion I do for independence, I will aim to earn your trust by continuing to govern well, and earn your respect as First Minister by focussing on the priorities that matter to us all, and in doing so using our devolved powers to absolute maximum effect to tackle the challenges of the day.

    For those of us who do believe in independence, we will only win by making the case on the doorsteps.

    My solemn commitment to you is that I will kickstart our grassroots, civic-led movement and ensure our drive for independence is in 5th gear.

    The people of Scotland need independence now more than ever before, and we will be the generation that delivers it.

    Before concluding, I want to take this opportunity to thank some very special people. I wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for the support, encouragement and hard work of a number of people.

    First of all, there is my amazing wife Nadia.

    She is not just my rock, she is my compass who helps guide me through the most difficult of times. There is no way I would be here if it was not for your love, your support and the advice you give me, thank you for believing in me and always being there for me. I love you more than I can ever find words.

    To my girls, you are my everything, and while this job at times will be all-consuming, know that the most important job in my life is being your dad. To Maya and Amal, you will always come first.

    To my mum, dad and sisters, thank you for your unwavering support throughout my life, for picking me up when I have been down, and for telling me to keep going when at times I had my doubts.

    I would also like to thank my phenomenal campaign team, who have worked day and night over the last few weeks to support me, you have all sacrificed time with your families and friends because, like me, you believe in our vision of a progressive, socially just Scotland. I will not let you down.

    A special mention to Neil Gray. He is quite simply the best corner man I could have asked for. During the rollercoaster of emotion that is any leadership contest, you have been by my side every step of the way and I would not have made it over the finish line without your support.

    And to Shona Robison, your wise counsel has been indispensable during this contest.

    To our now former Leader Nicola Sturgeon and her Deputy in government John Swinney.

    Thank you for your dedicated service to this party, this country and all its people. You have left me strong foundations to build on.

    And thanks, too, to my colleagues in both parliaments, across local government and activists around the country who have been so supportive and encouraging. I will ensure I harness the talent across the Party and the country as I build the team that will take Scotland forward and deliver our nation’s independence.

    From our brilliant MPs, ably led by Stephen Flynn and Mhairi Black in Westminster to our leaders in Local Government, as well as he exceptional group of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, our Party has enormous talent right throughout its ranks.

    Our parliamentarians, our councillors, our activists and our members all have a vital part to play on our journey to independence, as do our friends across the independence movement.

    To have your confidence as I take on the role of SNP Leader means so much.

    My final thanks is to my grandparents, who unfortunately are no longer alive to see this day. I am forever thankful that my grandparents made the trip from the Punjab to Scotland over 60 years ago.

    As immigrants to this country, who knew barely a word of English, they could not have imagined their grandson would one day be on the cusp of being the next First Minister of Scotland.

    As Muhammad Yousaf worked in the Singer Sewing Machine Factory in Clydebank, and as Rehmat Ali Bhutta stamped tickets on the Glasgow Corporation Buses, they couldn’t have imagined, in their wildest dreams, that two generations later their grandson would one day be Scotland’s First Minister.

    We should all take pride in the fact that today we have sent a clear message, that your colour of skin, your faith, is not a barrier to leading the country we all call home.

    From the Punjab to our Parliament, this is a journey over generations that reminds us that we should celebrate migrants who contribute so much to our country.

    It is what drives my commitment to equality that will underpin my actions as First Minister.

    Thank you for the honour of choosing me to be your nominee to become Scotland’s 6th First Minister. I will dedicate every waking moment to serving you, the people of Scotland.

    Thank you.

  • Jeremy Corbyn – 2023 Statement on NEC Banning Him from Standing for Labour party

    Jeremy Corbyn – 2023 Statement on NEC Banning Him from Standing for Labour party

    The statement made by Jeremy Corbyn, the Independent MP for Islington North, on Twitter on 27 March 2023.

    Today, Keir Starmer has broken his commitment to respect the rights of Labour members and denigrated the democratic foundations of our Party.

    I have been elected as the Labour MP for Islington North on 10 consecutive occasions since 1983. I am proud to represent a community that supports vulnerable people, joins workers on the picket line and fights for transformative change.

    This latest move represents a leadership increasingly unwilling to offer solutions that meet the scale of the crises facing us all. As the government plunges millions into poverty and demonises refugees, Keir Starmer has focused his opposition on those demanding a more progressive and humane alternative.

    I joined the Labour Party when I was 16 years old because, like millions of others, I believed in a redistribution of wealth and power. Our message is clear: we are not going anywhere. Neither is our determination to stand up for a better world.