Pulse.Assent

The Infrastructure Investor Global Summit in Berlin will include 1,400 delegates from more than 140 of the world’s biggest global institutions and private investment firms, who collectively manage more than £500 billion in capital.

During his speech, Minister Stuart will explain why the UK is the top investment destination in Europe, thanks to its open, liberal economy, flexible labour market, and business-friendly regulation.

Inward FDI stock now stands at a record £1,199 billion, and is estimated to have created or safeguarded 107,000 jobs in 2016/17.

The UK also has an excellent record of infrastructure delivery, with over 4,500 projects completed since 2010 and 98% of 158 priority projects either on track for delivery or completed.

A further 720 infrastructure projects – with a value over £500 billion – are due to start before 2020/21, and Minister Stuart will hold roundtables with leading figures in the German financial community to show how the UK will continue to offer huge investment potential in years to come.

Minister for Investment Graham Stuart said:

Since DIT’s foundation in July 2016, the British government now has a department of state solely focused on trade and investment and our network is dedicated to supporting businesses across the globe.

The UK is Europe’s top destination for foreign investment, and as an international economic department, we are determined that investment in infrastructure is a major part of the Industrial Strategy.

With more than £500 billion of infrastructure investment opportunities up to 2020/21, and an exemplary record of project completion, I will be telling the world’s most influential investors why the UK should be their first choice for investment.

One recent investment – of £1.4 billion as part of a consortium including Meridiam and Allianz Capital Partners – will help NeuConnect build the first direct power link between Germany and the UK.

The project will create new export and import routes for electricity for each market, benefitting UK and German consumers with reduced wholesale and consumer electricity prices.

Chief Executive Officer of NeuConnect Britain, David Inglis, said:

The first direct connection between the UK and German power grids offers great economic benefits for both countries and furthers the integration of renewables by enabling both countries to balance their future energy needs from a new market.

The long-term investors are very committed to jointly work with the national governments and regulators of both countries to successfully deliver this innovative and independent energy infrastructure project to German and British consumers.

Known locally as the ‘missing link’ this stretch of single carriageway road between the Brockworth bypass and Cowley roundabout restricts the flow of traffic on a key route which is otherwise a continuous dual carriageway between M5 at Gloucester and the M4 at Swindon.

Two options are being presented following a detailed consideration of potential routes to upgrade this three-mile stretch of the A417. The improvement is being made possible by the Government’s £15bn investment in motorways and major A roads and will be delivered by Highways England.

The A417/A419 route passes through the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and so any solution will be designed sensitively to meet the special character of the landscape, environment and history.

Upgrading this section to dual carriageway will help unlock Gloucestershire’s potential for growth and secure opportunities for housing and jobs, as well as improving life in the adjoining local communities.

Mike Goddard, Project Manager said: “Nearly 800 people have joined us at our events over the past few weeks, and more than 1400 have responded to the consultation. This is an excellent response and we appreciate the time and effort people have taken to find out more about our proposals, and to share their thoughts.

“With a week to go we are encouraging anyone else who might want to contribute to do so before 29 March. There is still the opportunity to feedback online at the consultation page.

Alternatively, consultation booklets and feedback forms are available at the following public information points:

• Crickley Hill Visitor Centre, Crickley Hill, Birdlip GL4 8JY
• Gloucester Library, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1HT
• Cheltenham Library, Clarence Street, Cheltenham GL50 3JT
• Cirencester Library, The Waterloo, Cirencester GL7 2PZ
• Stroud Library, Landsdown, Stroud GL5 1BB
• Hucclecote Library, Hucclecote Road, Gloucester GL3 3RT
• Brockworth Community Library, Moorfield Road, Brockworth GL3 4ET
• Coleford Library, The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH
• Gloucestershire County Council, Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2TG
• Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester GL7 1PX
• Tewkesbury Town Hall, High Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5AL

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.

Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt MP said:

The conviction and sentencing of Ahed Tamimi is emblematic of how the unresolved conflict is blighting the lives of a new generation, who should be growing up together in peace, but continue to be divided.

The treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention remains a human rights priority for the UK. We will continue to call upon Israel to improve its practices in line with international law and obligations.

We have offered to help the Israeli authorities through expert-to-expert talks with UK officials. The offer still stands and we hope Israel will take us up on it. While we recognise that Israel has made some improvements, it needs to do much more to safeguard vulnerable people in its care.

Further information

• Follow Minister Burt on Twitter @AlistairBurtUK
• Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook
• Follow the Foreign Office on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn