The Home Secretary joined the Interior Ministers from 6 of the largest European Union countries to discuss key migration and security issues at the G6 in Lyon this week (9 October).

Sajid Javid met with his counterparts from Germany, France, Spain, Poland and Italy, as well as representatives from the US, Morocco and the European Commission. Hosted by French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, the summit included sessions on migration, tackling foreign terrorist fighters, preventing terrorist use of the internet and stability in the Sahel.

During talks on migration, the Home Secretary called for a whole route approach to prevent people making perilous journeys across Europe. This includes increasing the efforts to tackle people trafficking and finding new ways to stop criminal gangs from operating at source.

The summit also included a simulated terrorist attack hosted in the Groupama stadium where French law enforcement demonstrated their response.

The Home Secretary made clear that security cooperation between the UK and EU member states must not be compromised after the UK’s exit from the European Union. He argued that this partnership and access to security tools must continue to ensure that citizens across the continent were protected from terrorists and organised criminals.

He also discussed continued security cooperation with European Commissioner for the Security Union, Sir Julian King.

The Home Secretary also had the opportunity to update the G6 on the Salisbury attack and ongoing police investigation which has produced sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against two Russian individuals.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said:

I would like to thank Prime Minister Philippe for hosting an important and productive summit.

In my meetings with my G6 counterparts, we agreed that cooperation on issues such as security, serious organised crime and migration are vital and this must continue after Brexit.

Foreign Office Director for Cyber Policy and National Security Capabilities, Sarah Taylor, has been named a Marie Claire Future Shapers award winner. Ms Taylor has been instrumental internationally in leading work to expose recent Russian cyber aggression and championing the application of international law in cyberspace.

Each year Marie Claire celebrates trailblazing women who are changing the world of work and redefining what it means to be successful in society today. The annual awards honour influential names from the worlds of civil society, fashion, technology, the arts and politics.

Taylor (42) is responsible for the international efforts to protect the UK against the most serious cyber-attacks and overseeing the training of the next generation of cyber diplomats.

She has led Britain’s international response to incidents such as the exposing of the Russian military intelligence service’s reckless cyber attacks on political institutions, businesses, media and sport and the North Korean actors behind the ransomware attack on NHS trusts.

Director for Cyber Policy and National Security Capabilities, Sarah Taylor said:

The challenges and complexities we face in cyberspace are clear as evidenced by Britain’s exposé of the Russian military intelligence service’s orchestrated attacks on our way of life.

The stakes don’t get much higher, but it’s is a privilege to be leading a team that is helping to keep the internet free, open, peaceful and secure.

I’m delighted to have been recognised as a Future Shaper by Marie Claire, and I would really encourage more women to consider careers in security, and cyber in particular.

Not only is it incredibly rewarding but it underpins almost everything we do in the internet age.

Marie Claire Editor-in-chief, Trish Halpin said:

Sarah’s work in cyber security is not only vital to the success of this country, but she is also paving the way for girls and young women to pursue careers in this field through her mentoring work in inner city schools.

Marie Claire is delighted to honour her as a Future Shaper of 2018.

Sarah is the first civil servant to win the award, this year’s winners include Killing Eve star Jodie Comer and authors of Slay In Your Lane: Black Girl Bible, Elizabeth Uviebinené and Yomi Adegoke.

Further information

With financial technology as the designated theme of the gathering, the Chancellor will herald Britain’s approach to using technology to save customers money, and open up the market to popular new banking apps.

Britain will use its world-leading expertise and influence in finance to shape global views towards new financial technology, Philip Hammond will say at the IMF Annual Meetings in Bali.

He will add that he wants Britain to lead global efforts to design a regulatory approach to cryptoassets and distributed ledger technology.

This will mean people are able to manage their money and be confident it is safe, while allowing the life-changing potential of any new financial technology to flourish.

He will also confirm that the UK’s crypto taskforce will this year publish its report on the UK’s approach to cryptoassets.

Speaking before departing for the Annual Meetings, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, said:

International cooperation has made our financial system safer, simpler and fairer since 2008.

At home, our banking reforms have protected people and given them more confidence that their money is safe.

The UK’s world-leading expertise means that we are in a unique position to shape the future approach to emerging technology like blockchain so that they benefit businesses, people and the economy.

This week I’ll be making sure British interests are represented at the very top of international finance.

Britain is embracing technology such as Open Banking to give customers more choice managing their money, he will explain at the Annual Meeting.

Open Banking gives consumers a more detailed understanding of their accounts, helping them find new ways of making the most of their money.

While at the IMF, the Chancellor will hold talks with fellow Finance Ministers including US Secretary to the Treasury, Steve Mnuchin, where he will reaffirm UK backing for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and its benefit to businesses and shared security.

He will also hold talks with Japanese Finance Minister, Tarō Asō, and the Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Yi Gang.

The Chancellor will urge his colleagues to work together to guard against new and emerging risks to the global financial system, and also to take advantage of the opportunities presented by closer international cooperation, including for financial technology and innovation and boosting global trade.