Good afternoon First Vice Prime Minister, Ministers, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a pleasure to be here today to address you, and I must thank the British-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and their partners for the invitation.

I have always believed that trade, and the freedom of nations and individuals to freely access goods and services from overseas, is vital to international security.

Part of the same continuum – one inhabited by political and social stability.

Trade is not an end in itself. Rather, it is the foundation of commercial success and national prosperity. That prosperity, in turn, underpins political stability, and that stability underpins security.

I had said before that trade and security are part of th same continuum. Unbalance one of these factors, and peace, prosperity and freedom are all endangered. It is axiomatic that there can be no military security without economic security.

Few countries understand this better then Ukraine. We are here today not only to deepen the commercial ties between our two nations, but as a show of solidarity and unity in the face of external aggression.

The United Kingdom, of course, has also recently suffered direct action by Russia.

If nations are to successfully meet and combat external aggression, then they must first ensure their own strength, both politically and economically. Part of this is winning internal battles against the forces that stifle economic activity and threaten investment, such as corruption and bureaucracy.

It is no accident that those nations with the strongest defence capabilities also have the strongest economies.

The UK stands ready to help Ukraine in any way we can in these challenges, not only for our mutual prosperity, but as a common defence.

That is why I am here today.

Ukraine’s economy has undoubtedly suffered in recent years, not only through the annexation of physical territory and infrastructure, but through the uncertainty of ongoing conflict.

Yet there are encouraging signs that the recovery is underway. Last year the total trade between Ukraine and the UK topped £1 billion, following two years of strong growth across the board, in goods and services, imports and exports.

Much of this comes from Ukrainian companies, like many here today, who recognise the inherent strengths of the United Kingdom as a place to invest.

Our capital is the world’s leading financial centre, and a springboard into global markets. The UK is in the right time zone to trade with Shanghai over breakfast and New York over tea.

We are home to some of the world’s leading universities, producing a highly capable workforce.

And crucially, we are an unrivalled repository of commercial expertise, in everything from Fintech to infrastructure. This gives the UK a unique capacity to help Ukrainian businesses expand and thrive.

But it is not just the United Kingdom’s strengths that have enabled our bilateral relationship to thrive.

British companies, like many others across the world, are increasingly aware of all that Ukraine has to offer, and the huge commercial opportunities that exist in the country.

GlaxoSmithKline, Astra Zeneca and Vodafone, to name just a few, have substantially increased their operations in Ukraine in recent years.

They see a country not only with a large and well-developed internal market – Ukraine has five cities of over one million people – but also the hard-working and well-educated workforce.

On top of this, Ukraine boasts abundant natural resources, a broad industrial base and a variety of well-developed sectors.

Lviv is undergoing something of an economic boom, driven by its enviable IT industry and service-based economy.

And of course, this historic bread basket of Europe is among the world’s leading agri-producers, and my own Department for International Trade is taking steps to improve our bilateral relations in this area, offering British expertise in agricultural machinery, grain storage, and food processing.

I don’t need to tell the people in this room that Ukraine is a nation with a vast amount of untapped economic potential.

But as well as external threats there are, as I have mentioned, internal challenges to be resolved if the country is to fully realise its opportunities.

Corruption exists, as it does in many nations around the world.

A key difference here though is awareness, and a strong desire to tackle and resolve the issue.

The Ukrainian people recognise the threat that corruption, inefficient public ownership, and overzealous and stifling bureaucracy pose to foreign investment, economic output, and ultimately prosperity.

The establishment of a Business Ombudsman and the National Anti-Corruption Agency are important steps in the right direction, as is the commendable ambition to bring Ukraine into the top ten nations globally on the ease of doing business rankings. It has already become the most improved country in the world since 2010.

Ukraine has made more progress in the last 4 years than in the previous 20, particularly in reform of the banking sector, good governance institutions and launching the electronic asset and income declaration system.

I am proud to say that the United Kingdom, and my own Department, is taking a leading role in helping Ukraine to achieve these goals.

We are providing assistance to improve the business climate and reforming the tax system, making the country an increasingly attractive place for global investors.

We are helping with the reform of Ukraine’s energy sector, aiming to eliminate reliance on Russian gas and streamlining the pricing structure of Ukraine’s own production.

This year, we are delivering a £35 million package to support reforms in good governance, anti-corruption and defence.

And we are helping British companies to share their expertise with their Ukrainian counterparts, opening new commercial opportunities across the economy.

This has been instigated, in part, by a wave of joint UK-Ukraine trade events, from the visit of the Deputy Minster Mykolska in June, where she visited women entrepreneurs at DIT’s She Trades event, to the Group CEO of Jaguar/Land Rover opening their new sales centre in Kiev.

But perhaps the most important immediate task, and certainly the most important facing my own department, is the post-Brexit transition of the Ukraine-EU Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement into a new bilateral settlement.

We have designated Ukraine as one of the UK’s post-Brexit priority markets, and our ambition is to further improve and liberalise the trading relationship between us.

But our first step must be to provide certainty and continuity for those firms currently operating between the UK and Ukraine. Officials in the UK and Ukraine are working together to design a bilateral agreement that will replicate the effects of the DCFTA, to come into effect at the end of our transition period.

Minimising the disruption to our existing trading relationship is the highest priority for the United Kingdom.

Yet I appreciate that there will also be a degree of uncertainty around Brexit. This is equally true in Ukraine, not only from a commercial standpoint, but from a geopolitical one.

But the Referendum result was not a vote for insularity. We are not turning in on ourselves, abandoning our overseas partners or abdicating our international responsibilities.

The United Kingdom is not isolationist, but global. The British people chose to embrace the opportunities of the wider world.

Let me reiterate that our exit from the EU does not change the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s development, growth and prosperity.

Nor does it alter our commitment to sanctions against Russia. Indeed, the Prime Minister has made it clear that we will look to carry over all existing EU sanctions at the time of our departure.

In August, the foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt made the case for additional sanctions against Russia from the United States, building a firm, united front with our allies.

This is not a path that we are about to waver from.

Our action encapsulates the message that I came here today to deliver – that the United Kingdom is standing alongside Ukraine, ready to lend our support to ensuring a safe and prosperous future for both our peoples.

The progress that has been made by Ukraine is hugely significant, and already the dividends are appearing.

Nothing should be taken for granted. But if we work together to meet the challenges of the future, then we can, and will, defend our freedom, our prosperity, and our liberty.

Lisa brings with her extensive experience of delivering communications strategies across both the private and public sectors.

As Director of Communications for the UK’s biggest operational government department, she will oversee the communications around the government’s welfare reforms to help millions of people hear about how the government is supporting them into work and helping them to save for their retirement.

Peter Schofield, Permanent Secretary at DWP, said:

Lisa will be a great asset to the department and will play an important role in communicating the vital work we do to support people into work and to save for their retirement. We are thrilled that she will bring valuable expertise from a range of sectors to head up the Communications Directorate in the UK’s biggest direct delivery government department.

Esther McVey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:

I’m delighted Lisa Hunter is joining DWP as Director of Communications. She brings a wealth of experience from across the public and private sector.

Lisa Hunter said:

The work we do in the Department for Work and Pensions makes a real difference to millions of people and families, right across the country, and often during their most challenging times. The department is currently implementing the largest welfare reform programme in a generation to ensure we continue to provide the best services and support we can. We play an important role in creating a fairer society and it’s vital we communicate all we do effectively and accurately.

I am exceptionally excited to be returning to DWP and am passionate about the work we do. I have a huge degree of respect for the department, and what it has achieved in recent years.

More information

Lisa Hunter started the role of Director of Communications at DWP on Monday 8 October 2018.

Good afternoon everyone.

It is wonderful to be here and it is a real honour to represent our world-leading creative industries in my role at DCMS.

Our creativity is our calling card to the world.

And it can be found everywhere you look.

A few weeks ago I visited the Koestler Trust, a brilliant organisation that brings culture and creativity into our prisons, supporting offenders and ex-offenders.

The founder of the charity, Arthur Koestler, once said “The principal mark of genius is not perfection but originality, the opening of new frontiers.”

And there is so much originality to be found in our creative industries.

That’s why our recording artists accounted for 8 of the top 10 artist albums in 2017.

Why our films earn one sixth of total global receipts.

And why we’re the world’s largest exporter of physical books.

And this originality isn’t just pivotal to our wellbeing and enjoyment, it’s pivotal to our economy and our standing as a nation.

The cultural and creative industries are at the heart of our soft power and they help fly the flag for the best of British abroad.

For example, Sherlock is watched by 70 million people in China alone and has driven an influx of visitors to Baker Street.

Whilst the success of Downton Abbey brought visitors from across the world to our National Trust properties, it even led to a spike in demand for British butlers…

The UK recently returned to first position in the Global Soft Power Index – and this rise has been driven by our creative industries.

The report praised the strength of our globally respected brands, like the British Council and the BBC World Service. And there are many more here today.

You are ambassadors for our nation this very important time.

We have a vast global cultural influence for many years now and other countries are trying to catch us up – and are investing heavily as they do so.

It is therefore important to strive to stay on top and keep promoting positive British values to the world.

In the New Year, the Government will be publishing our Soft Power Strategy and you have a large part to play.

Because as we leave the European Union, you are vital in showing the world that we are more open-minded, outward looking and ready to work together than ever before.

And to flourish as an independent nation, we need to give our thriving creative industries the best possible support.

So before I answer a few questions, I wanted to set out a few areas for discussion that I see as being particularly crucial in the coming years.

First of all, we want to support you domestically so that you can drive growth in the economy and enrich lives here in the UK.

A strong creative sector means a strong economy.

The work of our country’s incredible designers can be seen in all aspects of our lives, whether it’s the cars we drive, the clothes we wear or the technology we use.

The benefits of creativity and innovation are clear. So it is really important that we channel them in the best possible way.

The Creative Industries Sector Deal was a real milestone and one we can all be proud of.

As part of this landmark deal, more than £150 million is being jointly invested by government and industry to help cultural and creative businesses across Britain thrive.

This includes our £80 million Creative Industries Cluster Programme, investing in nine new partnerships between our creative industries and our world-leading universities.

And £33 million of investment in immersive technologies like virtual reality video games, interactive art shows and augmented reality experiences.

The real significance is not the publication of the document however. The real significance will be seen in its delivery and the difference it makes to creative industries businesses on the ground.

The framework has been set but I want to hear from you what is working and what is not.

Since taking on this role, I have been particularly interested to see how digital and culture, both of which are parts of the DCMS portfolio, have been inspiring each other, keeping both industries at the cutting edge.

Theatre is blending with film; and computer programming with sculpture. We have virtual reality curatorship, animated artworks, video games scored by classical music composers.

So let us dispense with the idea that we must choose between creativity and technical excellence. That young people should have to choose between STEM and the arts.

Our tech companies thrive on creativity and our creative sector depends on technical brilliance and pushing the boundaries of innovation.

And it’s this spirit that gives us a huge competitive advantage, brings in new audiences and puts us in a prime position for the future.

This pioneering ethos will be showcased at a nationwide festival of Britain in 2022, through an exciting programme of arts, culture, design and tech. I hope that you can all play a part in making it a success.

And as we look ahead to the future, I’m delighted that Tim Davie will be co-chairing Creative Industries Council with me.

And that Tim has been appointed as Board member of the Creative Industries Federation, which under Alan Bishop’s leadership is set to go from strength to strength. Together they can help drive even stronger engagement between Government and industry.

Now I’ve heard through both the Creative Industries Council and the Creative Industries Federation that skills and talent are a big priority for you all.

The Sector Deal made big strides in this area, with a 2 million pound fund to develop and deliver an industry-led creative careers programme; thank you to all of you for your support in making the case for this.

This fund will make sure that there is a larger and more diverse intake of talent and a broader range of routes into the creative industries.

We have seen some excellent work on this, for example, the British Fashion Council’s ambitious work to encourage promising new designers.

We all have a responsibility to make sure our nation’s cultural output more closely represents the country as a whole.

I also hear loud and clear that international talent is important for the growth of our creative industries.

The UK has talented performers, famous artists and world-leading industry professionals. Our soft power relies upon them.

And it’s in nobody’s interests to make it difficult for them to do this vital work. Not in the interests of the Government, not our artists and certainly not the many people who want to see them across Europe and the world.

We are working on a reciprocal framework for mobility that will…

Support businesses that want to provide services and move their talented people;

Allow people to travel freely for tourism and temporary business activity;

And enable students and young people to continue to benefit from world-leading universities and the cultural experiences the UK and EU have to offer.

The Government will be publishing its proposals in the autumn and I see it as part of my role to make sure your views are understood.

Because although we want a new immigration system that ends freedom of movement, we also want to continue attracting the brightest and the best in the creative sector, from the EU and elsewhere.

One of the most enduring and powerful aspects of culture is how it is perennially looking outwards. After all, you cannot put boundaries on the free flow of ideas and creativity.

And as we leave the EU, our creative sector will continue to be one of the major forces behind our economic growth.

I know that many of you work on projects that span borders and we want to maintain this flexibility.

We are working with the EU on a Cooperative Accord for Culture and Education, that will facilitate ongoing cooperation and collaboration in the arts, heritage, the wider creative industries and education.

This Accord will underpin our efforts towards our shared objectives. Like preventing the illicit removal and trading of cultural objects and making sure that UK and EU citizens can keep benefiting from cultural and educational exchanges.

The Brexit White Paper, published earlier this summer, restated that the UK will continue benefiting from European works status, which will enable us to co-produce with EU member states and count towards quotas.

This is important if we are to remain a hub for international broadcasting at an important time for culture and creativity across the world.

The creative industries accounted for 11 per cent of total UK services exports in 2016, the highest proportion since 2010.

So it is important that we get your views and evidence of what is important as we shape our new trade policy, for trade with our friends and partners in the EU and across the world.

The possibility of future free trade agreements give us a real opportunity to further the interests of the sector and to strike new agreements with countries like the USA, Australia and New Zealand, with innovation and ingenuity at their heart.

And I would encourage everyone here to have your say and provide evidence to the DIT consultations on this, so we can get the best possible outcome.

Because if we get it right, the prize can be huge. All the evidence shows that companies who export are more likely to grow and are more productive.

The Creative Industries Trade and Investment Board, established through the Sector Deal to allow for a more strategic and industry-led approach to trade and export support, will be vital in this goal.

We will play our part as Government by making sure the cultural and creative industries can take full advantage of the support on offer from UK Export Finance.

Alongside this, the impact of the UK’s creative tax reliefs on DCMS sectors, and beyond, is truly staggering, as shown by today’s Screen Business Report commissioned by the BFI.

In it, my colleague the Chancellor of the Exchequer restates his commitment to this policy, which the Government supported to the tune of over 850 million pounds last year.

The creative sector tax reliefs have powered growth, created tens of thousands of jobs the length and breadth of the UK and cemented Britain’s truly global standing in the art and business of the moving image.

There is much demand for British creativity and excellence abroad.

We are about to enter a new era for our creative industries. Where we will chart our own course.

And our creative sector will be at the heart of this.

Because you show our country at its best. Our wit, our imagination and our ability to tell stories that enthrall the world.

And with government and industry working side by side we can entertain and inspire for generations to come.

Thank you very much.