Author Archives: HM Government

Devolution in Wales has come a long way over the 20 years since the referendum. The Senedd is now an established part of our constitutional landscape – taking critical decisions on matters that affect everyday lives.

I am pleased with the contribution that the UK Government has made to the devolution journey in recent years. It has been a true re-writing of the devolution settlement – the most far reaching and significant package of powers ever devolved to Wales.

We have facilitated the 2011 referendum which saw the Assembly take on full law-making powers; established the Silk Commission to consider further devolution of powers; steered the Wales Act through Parliament and introduced a fiscal framework that guarantees fair funding for Wales for the long term.

We have also helped to put real power into the hands of the Welsh people at a local level through the Swansea and Cardiff City Region deals – we have the same ambition for a growth deal for North Wales – and have committed to scrapping tolls on the Severn Crossings.

We are now in another period of change for Welsh devolution – the devolution of powers that are repatriated when we leave the EU. We have been clear from the outset that the outcome of the process will be an increase in the decision-making powers of the Assembly and the Welsh Government.

It is important to recognise that the UK Government will not devolve and forget. We now challenge the Welsh Government to generate growth, champion innovation, increase productivity and deliver better public services. That is what people in Wales want and that is what they deserve.

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The Low Pay Commission has always had a strong interest in compliance with the minimum wage rates it recommends. There is, after all, little point in having a minimum wage if workers do not receive the correct rate.

With more workers than ever paid the minimum wage or close to it, more people are at risk of being underpaid. Our analysis finds that up to 1 in 5 people who should be paid at least the minimum wage may in fact receive less. This equates to between 305,000 and 580,000 workers at its highest point, though it is a difficult thing to measure.

The LPC welcomes the recent increases in funding for HMRC’s enforcement of the minimum wage, and recognises the progress it has made. However, we also think there is more the Government could do to identify non-compliance and stop it happening in the first place. In our report we lay out recommendations for ways the Government could go further.

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As major fashion buyers from the across the world descend on the capital for London Fashion Week, latest trade figures show exports of fashion goods rose to £10.7 billion in 2016.

The figure is the highest on record and represents an 8 per cent increase on exports of footwear, clothing and textiles since 2015.**

There is clear global demand for British goods, with the USA, Hong Kong and Australia snapping up more than £1 billion worth of exports in 2016. The countries account for the top three buyers of home grown brands including Burberry, Mulberry and Temperley London, outside of the EU.

To build on this export success, the Department for International Trade (DIT) has collaborated with the British Fashion Council (BFC) to give British designers access to high profile buyers from developed markets. Through the BFC’s ‘International Guest Programme’, up and coming designers will be linked to key markets including the USA, China and South Korea.

International Trade Minister Mark Garnier said:

From street style to haute couture, it’s no surprise that our prestigious fashion industry is in vogue with more than £10 billion worth of goods heading overseas last year.

Our best brands will display their talent this London Fashion Week and as an international economic department, we are committed to supporting them make the most of their exporting potential.

That’s why we’re connecting home grown designers to international fashion buyers through bespoke fashion programmes and events.

Supporting the best of British style

Working with DIT, the BFC are also promoting leading British fashion designers on the world stage by taking 15-20 designers on a trade mission to Paris Fashion Week. Emerging new UK fashion designers will be able to showcase to international press and buyers at a dedicated pop-up showroom as part of Paris Fashion Week.

One company showcasing at London Fashion Week this year with help from DIT is Baia Bags. Susy Brown began the company from her bedroom five years ago in Yorkshire. Since then, she has slowly built the business with every item designed and handmade herself – using only British sourced products and materials.

Baia Bags was picked up by Fortnum and Mason and has exhibited at LFW four times. Ms Brown is now exploring other international markets including Italy, and already exports to the USA. DIT has helped to secure her a place at London Fashion Week this year and show in Paris next season.

London Fashion Week runs from Friday 15th to Tuesday 19th September and will welcome guests including press and buyers from over 59 countries.

Notes to editors

• **The latest figures from HMRC: Fashion includes textiles (SITC 65), apparel (SITC 84) and footwear (SITC 85). £10.7bn is the highest value in the HMRC data, which is available from 1996.
• DIT partner with BFC on eight of their fashion events.
• Priority markets for the ‘International Guest Programme’ include: USA, China, South Korea, Italy and Germany
• The programme involves targeting international buyers and understanding their budgets and styles and matching them with appropriate British designers.
• The International Guest Programme is hosted by the British Fashion Council’s International team and provides a tailored and targeted schedule for that ensures that they meet the most relevant brands with the highest international potential.

Further information

• Contact the DIT Media and Digital Team on 020 7008 3333

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The UK will continue to play a leading role in tacking climate change while maximising the opportunities for economic growth, Climate Change Minister Claire Perry will say tomorrow (Monday 18 September).

The minister will be speaking at the opening ceremony of Climate Week in New York on Monday 18 September, one of the key international climate summits that brings together national governments, businesses and global citizens to build on the collective action on climate change. The summit takes place alongside the UN General Assembly and supports the implementation of the Paris Agreement, as well as the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The UK is a global leader in tackling climate change, played a vital role in negotiating the Paris Agreement and was the first country to introduce domestic legally binding emission reduction targets. Since the Climate Change Act, 2008 the government has made strong progress in achieving these targets, with emissions decreasing by over 40 per cent since 1990 – more than any other G7 country.

Claire Perry, Minister of State for Climate Change and Industry said:

The UK is decarbonising faster than any other G20 nation – since 1990 we have cut emissions by more than a third while growing the economy by two thirds, and the Government is determined to drive up the pace of decarbonisation while maximising the opportunities for growth from the global transition to a clean economy.

A global challenge needs a global response and Climate Week is the perfect opportunity for governments and the private sector to come together, commit to clean growth and seize the opportunities it brings.

Recent analysis conducted by PwC shows that the UK is decarbonising at the fastest rate among G20 countries with the carbon intensity of the UK economy falling by 7.7% in 2016 as a result of a decline in coal consumption, improved energy efficiency and economic growth. The UK outperformed China, the US and other EU countries, in reducing carbon intensity since 2000.

Investment in low carbon growth has been a catalyst for innovation in renewable technologies. New clean energy projects announced last week are set to power 3.6 million homes with technologies like offshore wind at 50 per cent less cost than two years ago. The UK is making the most of its natural resources by having the largest installed capacity of offshore wind in the world.

The UK government is also supporting clean jobs through its Industrial Strategy and working to foster the skills of the next generation of workers in new industries through a new world-leading technical education system.

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During a visit to the Gulf state today, Sir Michael Fallon and his Qatari counterpart, Khalid bin Mohammed al Attiyah, signed a Statement of Intent concerning Qatar’s proposed purchase of 24 Typhoon aircraft.

The UK and Qatar share a close and longstanding Defence relationship, and today’s Statement of Intent further reinforces this, deepening military cooperation between the two, and the opportunity to further enhance the security of all partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

After a number of years of negotiations between our two countries, I am delighted to have been able to sign today with Qatar’s Defence Minister, this Statement of Intent on the purchase of 24 Typhoon aircraft by Qatar.

This will be the first major defence contract with Qatar, one of the UK’s strategic partners. This is an important moment in our defence relationship and the basis for even closer defence co-operation between our two countries. We also hope that this will help enhance security within the region across all Gulf allies and enhance Typhoon interoperability across the GCC.

The security of the GCC, of all Gulf countries, is critical to the UK’s own security.

The UK and Qatar share mutual Defence interests, including countering violent extremism, and ensuring peace and stability in the region.

Not only will the purchase of Typhoon aircraft further strengthen this strong bilateral relationship, it will benefit Qatar’s military capability, and increase security co-operation and interoperability between the UK and Qatar and other GCC Typhoon partners.

The Typhoon is a multi-role combat aircraft that has long-term potential to be at the forefront of air power for many years, and today’s Statement of Intent demonstrates continued confidence in Typhoon and British manufacturing.

In addition to supporting Royal Air Force operations protecting the UK in the skies above Britain and globally, the Typhoon has already been purchased by eight nations around the world.

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