Category: Gov Press Releases

Minister of State for the Overseas Territories Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon joined leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories this week for talks on hurricane recovery, Brexit, climate change, and tax transparency.

The annual Joint Ministerial Council, held between 28 and 29 November 2017 in London, was also attended by Ministers from across government, including the Department for Exiting the EU, the Department for International Development, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department of Health and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The talks began with a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, at Downing Street where she updated leaders on the progress of discussions with the European Union and discussed progress on reforming financial services in the Overseas Territories.

The first day of the meetings focused on hurricane relief and recovery and wider UK programme support for the Overseas Territories, including a new £70 million package of recovery and reconstruction support for those islands hit by devastating hurricanes in September. This package sits alongside up to £300 million of UK loan guarantees for territories that need support to access finance.

Caribbean Hurricanes: Building Back Better

The second day of discussions covered a range of issues, including tax transparency and beneficial ownership; preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Summit; child safeguarding; and climate change.

Minister for the Overseas Territories Lord Ahmad said:

It was wonderful to welcome the leaders of the Overseas Territories once again. The UK is clear that ongoing, close cooperation with the Overseas Territories is in our mutual interest.

We continue to be close partners on vital issues such as climate change and marine protection, and the UK is working closely with the governments of the Overseas Territories to deliver real change on health, corruption and child safeguarding.

The Prime Minister also announced new support for the Territories worst affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, with £70 million of grants and up to £300 million of loan guarantees to make sure essential recovery needs can be met.

Minister for Exiting the European Union Robin Walker led discussions on the progress of exit negotiations and the future Overseas Territories relationship with the EU.

Minister for Exiting the European Union Robin Walker said:

It was a pleasure to again meet with the leaders of the Overseas Territories and to continue our close engagement on shared priorities as we exit the EU.

The UK is responsible for representing the Overseas Territories’ priorities in exit negotiations and a clear objective of those negotiations is to achieve a deal that works for all parts of the UK family.
Leaders and representatives from the following Overseas Territories attended the two-day conference in London:

• Anguilla
• Ascension
• Bermuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Falkland Islands
• Gibraltar
• Montserrat
• Pitcairn
• St. Helena
• The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia
• Tristan da Cunha
• Turks & Caicos Islands

Further information

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With England now preparing for matches against Tunisia, Panama and Belgium next summer following Friday’s World Cup draw, thousands of England fans will be travelling to the three host cities of Volgograd, Nizhny Novgorod and Kaliningrad.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been working with Russian authorities to help maximise the chances of a trouble-free tournament for fans, and the British Embassy in Moscow has visited all 11 of the host cities over the past year to discuss safety and security preparations.

The FCO’s ‘Be On The Ball’ campaign gives supporters simple advice and tips to help avoid preventable problems and boost their World Cup experience. This includes specific Russia 2018 travel advice, and a preparation checklist. The FCO offers a country-specific travel advice alert system and those travelling to Russia for the tournament are encouraged to sign-up to this.

Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan said:

We’re all looking forward to the World Cup in Russia next summer – nobody more so than those planning to travel for the tournament. Russia is getting ready to host the World Cup, but fans need to be prepared too.

We hope our advice will help fans Be On The Ball by planning ahead with appropriate travel insurance, passport validity, emergency numbers and other essentials.

Start doing your trip research now. Signing up to Russia travel advice alerts is the easiest and quickest way to receive any updates to our advice, to help ensure you have a safe and trouble-free visit.

The UK and Russia have been cooperating closely to ensure the safety of British supporters at the tournament. This has included regular visits by the UK police to Russia and reciprocal visits from the Russian police to the UK.

The signs from Russia have been promising – after recent Liverpool and Manchester United matches in Moscow, the embassy has recorded zero consular cases.

We want this success to continue, and enhanced security measures during the tournament will help to ensure those travelling from the UK can safely enjoy the games.

Ticket holders should apply for a FAN ID, which will give them free travel on match day, enable those with tickets to access stadiums, and will even act as their visa for the tournament. There’s also advice for fans without tickets, who will need to apply for a visa to travel.

Last year, Britons made 150,000 visits to Russia, and we are expecting tens of thousands more to travel next summer.

Further information

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Consent has been granted to construct the M20 Junction 10A; a new interchange on the M20 east of Junction 10 that will incorporate a new two-lane dual carriageway link road to the existing A2070 Southern orbital Road (Bad Munstereifel Road), together with other associated improvements. The consent also includes the option to construct an ‘Alternative Scheme’ which, in addition to the above, would include the provision of a new access in the form of a roundabout from the new A2070 link road to the proposed Stour Park Development site, located immediately south of the proposed A2070 link road.

The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Highways England on 19 July 2016 and accepted for examination on 11 August 2016. Following a six month examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, a recommendation was made to the Secretary of State for Transport on 1 September 2017.

The Planning Inspectorate is committed to giving local communities the opportunity to be involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authorities and other interested parties were able to participate in the six month examination. The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to local views before making its recommendation.

The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Sarah Richards said:
“The Planning Inspectorate has again demonstrated its ability to examine Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) within the timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008.”

“This provides developers and investors with the confidence to build and improve the infrastructure this country needs to secure future economic growth.”

The decision announced today supports the recommendation made by the Planning Inspectorate. It is the 69th NSIP application to be examined and decided, and the 20th transport project.

The Secretary of State’s decision and statement of reasons, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation is publicly available on the National Infrastructure Planning website

Ends

Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning
Inspectorate Press Office, on: 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:
pressoffice@pins.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to editors:

The Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure Programme of Projects details the proposals which are anticipated to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as applications in the coming months. It can be viewed at https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/

UK – Taiwan bilateral trade grew to £5.35 billion last year and Ministers want to continue strengthening trade links.
In today’s talks (1 December), held in London, Ministers agreed to set up new sector ‘dialogues’ on trade in agriculture and energy.

They also signed an agreement to make it easier for UK specialist medicines to be used in Taiwan, and agree to build on the UK’s £176 million of financial services exports to Taiwan last year.

The talks come on the same day that Taiwan’s China Airlines’ new London to Taipei flight begins, re-establishing a direct route between the UK and Taiwan for the first time in 5 years.

International Trade Minister Greg Hands said:

With its vibrant economy and thriving consumer base, Taiwan presents huge opportunities for British companies to strengthen our trade links. Exports to Taiwan grew 21% in the last 5 years, and there’s room for more growth as we satisfy Taiwan’s demand for quality British goods like Scotch Whisky.

Our new trade dialogues in agriculture and energy will offer UK expertise in leading industries and I look forward to continuing to work together closely further deepen our trade and investment links.

During the talks, an agreement was signed which will make it easier for UK and Taiwanese businesses in biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields to protect their intellectual property. This will support leading UK industries like pharmaceuticals, helping companies export products like cutting-edge genetic medicines to Taiwan knowing their rights will be protected.

The new dialogues on agriculture and energy will also bring big opportunities to UK companies. Taiwan plans to increase its renewable energy production from 4% to 20% of supply by 2025, much of it from offshore wind farms, and as the world’s leading offshore wind producer, the UK is poised to be a key partner in this.

The new agricultural dialogue is also a boost for UK farmers as Taiwan is the largest per-capita pork consumer in Asia. Both Ministers used the talks to underline their commitment to resolving the remaining steps that would see Taiwan lift its ban on British pork as soon as possible.

The ministers also agreed to deepen links between the UK and Taiwan’s leading financial sectors, building on the UK’s £176 million of financial services exports to Taiwan last year. In particular, the UK will offer its expertise in financing renewable energy projects and fintech development in Taiwan.

Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Mei-Hua Wang said:

The UK and Taiwan have a very strong trade and investment relationship, and as the UK leaves the EU, Taiwan looks forward both to strengthening bilateral trade flows and to expanding mutual cooperation. We have confidence in the UK economy, the world’s fifth largest, and we consider it one of the priority destinations for Taiwanese investment in Europe.

We also hope more UK investors make use of Taiwan’s excellent investment environment in the Asia-Pacific region. I look forward to working further with Minister of State Greg Hands and I hope we can together unlock new business opportunities and resolve our trade issues, including the UK’s outstanding applications on agricultural exports to Taiwan.

Notes to editors

1. The first UK Taiwan trade talks took place in 1991 and have happened almost annually since.
2. UK-Taiwan bilateral trade grew to £5.35 billion in 2016, supported by a 60% growth in UK services exports to Taiwan in the last 5 years.
3. Taiwan is the third largest market for single malt whisky exports and the fourth largest overall worth £175 million in 2016.

Further information

Contact the DIT Media and Digital Team on 020 7215 2000

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Junction 10a will serve communities and businesses around Ashford, improving journeys by relieving pressure on the existing junction 10 and helping boost growth and jobs in the area.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced the decision in a letter to the Planning Inspectorate, who reviewed the plans last winter. Today’s news paves the way for construction work to begin early next year.

Chris Welby-Everard, Regional Delivery Director for Highways England in the South East said:

This major new motorway junction is the biggest boost for Ashford since the arrival of international rail services nearly 20 years ago. Junction 10a will unlock job-creating developments in the local area and will take pressure off the existing junction 10. It will bring jobs, better infrastructure for local services and help maintain the quality of life in and around Ashford.

Without Junction 10a in place, future economic growth would have been constrained. Today’s news will bring real confidence that we will have the road capacity needed to enable a major programme of economic and commercial development and house building.

I am grateful to all the local authorities and stakeholders in the area who have worked with us to gain this planning consent, including the 900 local people who took part in our consultation last year. We will continue to work closely with our partners going forward, especially people with homes and businesses nearest to the proposed new junction.

The new junction is part of the Government’s record £15 billion investment in major roads. Junction 10a will be constructed about half a mile south of the existing junction 10. It will use two bridges and connect to the existing A20 and a new dual carriageway link road built to the A2070 near Sevington.

Work on the improvements will begin early next year and the new junction is expected to open to traffic in 2019.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Just in time for Christmas, the Department for International Trade (DIT) has partnered with marketplace giant Newegg to launch its first B2C advertising campaign, showcasing the best of British tech goods to US consumers.

Newegg, the leading tech-focused e-retailer in North America, garners millions of avid tech enthusiasts and e-commerce shoppers annually. Founded in 2001, the tech-giant has 32 million registered users globally.

On 1 December, in collaboration with Newegg, DIT is launching a pilot campaign which promotes UK tech products on the e-commerce site. The campaign will target US tech consumers to increase their propensity to explore UK goods on the site.

Minister for Trade and Export Promotion, Baroness Rona Fairhead said:

Online marketplaces are making it much easier for small businesses to sell their goods and services to customers overseas.

At the Department for International Trade, we are committed to supporting businesses by opening doors for exciting British tech innovators to sell their products on new platforms. This partnership with Newegg and other e-retailers forms an important part of our E-Exporting programme.

I’d encourage small businesses to take a look.

DIT’s E-Exporting Programme supports UK businesses by working with overseas marketplaces to deliver online promotions, raising awareness for British exporters selling their products on these platforms. The programme also provides access to the Selling Online Overseas Tool, a free-to-use, online service that allows businesses to click, connect, prepare and sell on global marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, Tmall and Newegg. The tool provides access to discounts and benefits, including waived commissions and special marketing packages.

More than 20 British businesses have already registered to participate in DIT’s Newegg campaign, including innovative Hampshire-based company Blue Maestro.

Founded in 2013, Blue Maestro are pioneers in digital health and environment monitoring solutions. Specialising in the development and manufacture of Bluetooth sensor and time-stamping data logger technologies, the company has a range of products from baby monitors, consumer mini weather stations through to iBeacons and tracking devices.

Already exporting to a number of markets across the world, Blue Maestro has their sights firmly fixed on establishing themselves in the US. Joining DIT’s E-Exporting programme, the company have listed 3 of their products on the Newegg site, with the aim of increasing visibility and brand awareness to American consumers.

Kristin Hancock, Co-founder, Blue Maestro said:

Newegg is a platform which has been really easy to be involved with and we’re excited at the prospect of expanding into the US market.

The support from DIT has made the process easy and we’re already seeing more traction as a result of the advertising.

Last year, the company were the recipients of the Peer to Peer award at Innovate UK and were selected by Time magazine as a top 10 innovator at the Consumer Electronics Show 2015.

Another innovative tech company participating in the DIT’s Newegg campaign is London-based drone company Extreme Fliers.

Extreme Fliers specialises in the creation of small, advanced, personal Micro Drones which can be flown by anyone – not just experienced pilots. Their latest product, the Micro Drone 3.0 (that raised $3.5 million with crowdfunding on Indiegogo) includes a live streaming camera, giving the user an eye-in-sky perspective when combined with a virtual reality headset, for an immersive flying experience.

Vernon Kerswell founded the company in 2011 and now has a team of 10 inventors, designers and engineers. In 2016, Extreme Fliers were the recipients of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation. Looking to break into the US market, Extreme Fliers registered with the Department for International Trade’s E-Exporting programme.

Vernon Kerswell, CEO, Extreme Fliers said:

Out of our small design studio in South London, we have built one of the UK’s leading Drone technology companies. By combining the best high tech engineering with global supply chains, we are able to develop products and scale very fast.

With DIT’s E-Exporting programme our products can quickly reach exciting new markets and customers around the world.

Sophia Tsao, Vice President, Global Marketplace Head at Newegg Inc., said:

We very much look forward to promoting innovative UK tech products to our customers as part of the campaign, launching this December.

We have worked very closely with DIT to onboard new UK companies to our platform and ensure they can benefit from this additional marketing opportunity, helping them tap into the US and global markets. We are delighted to partner with the UK government on this initiative.

The Department for International Trade has a network of experienced international trade advisers across the country as well as staff based in UK embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. They are ready to provide you with expert trade advice, market know-how and practical support to grow your business internationally.

If you’d like to apply to list your business on Newegg, or on another one of DIT’s partner sites, visit www.great.gov.uk and find out more about Selling Online Overseas. Arrange a free meeting through your local DIT office to get expert international trade advice and support, or email us at e-exporting@trade.gsi.gov.uk.

As Brits are looking ahead at travel plans for 2018, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is advising holidaymakers to make sure they are properly insured.

Travelling abroad uninsured can cost thousands of pounds if a trip goes wrong. The price can range from £4,000 for medical repatriation aftercare for a heart attack in France to £80,000 for an air ambulance due to a fractured hip in Thailand.

Yet according to new research from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, being sure to take out the appropriate travel insurance policy features at the bottom of travellers’ holiday priorities:

• getting to the airport (18%)
• going through airport security (20%) and
• waiting for luggage (11%)

are the biggest concerns for travellers going on holiday abroad. Only 2% worry about remembering to take out appropriate travel insurance.

72% of people aged over 55 plan to travel abroad in 2018 and with half of these identify themselves as having a pre-existing medical condition. The FCO is advising British holidaymakers to research the appropriate travel insurance options, understand the potential cost of not being adequately insured and to give a detailed and accurate medical history to insurers.

Research shows that:

• the price of travel insurance is the most important factor for the over 55s when considering whether or not to buy it (23%), and
• 1 in 20 have knowingly not declared their medical condition due to the increased cost of their travel insurance

The fact is that overseas emergency medical bills far outweigh the average cost of a policy.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has this week announced that it will recruit 2 new Directors General to oversee the department’s growing export and investment agendas.

The creation of the Director General Investment and the Chief Exports Officer positions will build significant new senior capability in the department as it pursues an ambitious, targeted and strategic approach to promoting exports, and supporting greater inward and outward investment.

The Directors General will work with businesses from across the UK to generate wealth and prosperity, and ensure that companies of all sizes can take full advantage of global investment opportunities and the growing appetite for British goods and services abroad.

The Director General Investment will lead a global DIT team, co-ordinating government departments and working in partnership with the private sector to attract and retain high quality overseas investment.

The Chief Exports Officer will lead the implementation of a new export strategy to ensure that new and existing exporters can access the right financial, practical and promotional support to sell overseas. Export promotion is an essential element of the recently published government Industrial Strategy, with details of a new export strategy review unveiled in the Autumn Budget.

Find candidate information packs for:

• Director General – Chief Exports Officer
• Director General Investment

Applications close on the 3rd January 2018 with the view to appoint in the new year.

Notes to editors

Building on the Autumn Budget, Minister for Trade and Exports, Baroness Rona Fairhead today (1 December 2017) announced a new Export Strategy Review to consider how the UK can encourage and support British businesses to take advantage of the huge potential to grow our exports.