During the meeting, both Ministers committed to strengthen economic links between the UK and U.S., including a discussion about the possibility of laying the groundwork for a potential new trade agreement soon after Brexit.

The visit marks the first international trip for the UK International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, since the UK general election.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox said:

Our work as an international economic department has never been more critical and I am delighted to be making my first visit back as International Trade Secretary to the US, which is our largest single trading partner, accounting for a fifth of all exports.

Our valuable talks underlined the shared interest in forging a closer trade and economic relationship including making progress on policy coordination, regulatory issues and expanding trade and investment between our economies.

As our largest single trading partner, we have a strong foundation to build on as we start preparation on joint work to explore a future ambitious trade agreement once the UK has left the EU.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said:

It’s a pleasure to welcome Secretary of State Fox to the United States, as we meet for the first time to build an even stronger relationship between our two countries. As the United States’ fifth largest export market, the United Kingdom is an invaluable trading partner.

As UK negotiations with the European Union begin, I look forward to working with Dr. Fox and the United States Congress to lay the groundwork for our future trade relationship, including exploring the possibility of a new U.S.-UK trade agreement. In the meantime, the United States is committed to continuing discussions for improving trade and investment and coordinating on addressing global excess capacity issues.

Trade between the 2 countries is already worth about $230 billion a year, the U.S. is the single biggest source of inward investment into the UK, and together there is around $1 trillion invested in each other’s economies.

There he will meet a Congressional delegation on Capitol Hill to explore ways to deepen trade and economic links between the UK and US, with the potential of signing a Free Trade Agreement soon after Brexit.

Trade between the 2 countries is already worth over £150 billion a year, the US is the single biggest source of inward investment into the UK, and together there is around $1 trillion invested in each other’s economies.

As part of the 2-day visit, Dr Fox will meet Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, US Trade Representative, as well as the US Chamber of Commerce, trade policy organisations and business representatives.

The International Trade Secretary will also attend the ‘Select USA Investment Summit’ at the National Convention Center, where he will deliver a speech setting out the principles of free trade.

International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox said:

Our work as an international economic department has never been more critical and I am delighted to be making my first visit back as International Trade Secretary to the US, which is our largest single trading partner, accounting for a fifth of all exports.

We know we have a very big job to do, but we also know there are very big opportunities out there for the UK in terms of making a success out of global Britain and championing free trade which is fundamental to the prosperity of the world economy.

This visit will also help lay the groundwork for a potential future UK-US free trade agreement and the practical steps we can take now in order to enable companies in both countries to trade and do business with one another more easily.

The visit will underline the shared interest in forging a closer trade and economic relationship including making progress on policy coordination, regulatory issues and market access barriers.

Dr Fox previously met Paul Ryan, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, and a US Congressional delegation to discuss trade links, in London in April earlier this year.

Backed by £2 million from the Ministry of Defence’s Covenant Fund, ‘Veterans’ Gateway’ is designed to help former Servicemen and women of all ages and backgrounds navigate their new lives as civilians.

From advice on housing and finance to help with health concerns, the Gateway will bring together the vast range of charities and support on offer, guiding veterans directly to the help they need, when and where they need it.

The new 24-hour online chat, phone, and text message service brings the Armed Forces support community together in a single place for the first time – delivered by a Royal British Legion-led consortium with Poppyscotland, Combat Stress, Connect Assist, the Ministry of Defence and SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity. The service centre, based near Cardiff in South Wales, is manned partly by veterans to help ensure that callers can speak to someone who can understand their experience.

Tobias Ellwood, Minister for Defence People and Veterans said: 

The vast majority of our people make a smooth transition from military to civilian life, but the Veterans’ Gateway provides extra support in the form of a staffed, 24-hour, one-stop-shop offering guidance on housing and employment, finance, mental and physical health. Our £2 million investment honours the nation’s Armed Forces Covenant and draws all facets of support for our Armed Forces community together for the first time.

Charles Byrne, Director General of The Royal British Legion, on behalf of the Veterans’ Gateway consortium said:

Every charity only exists to help, but Lord Ashcroft revealed the uncomfortable truth that a proliferation of providers in our sector can cause confusion about where to turn. The consortium’s research found that the Armed Forces community – overwhelmingly – supports the Veterans’ Gateway, with 83 per cent welcoming the creation of a first point of contact. Veterans’ Gateway will make it easier for them to get the support they need, from whoever is best able to provide it. No matter how complex their needs, working together we can do more.

Veterans’ Gateway has been established in response to Lord Ashcroft’s 2014 Veterans’ Transition Review, which called for the process by which veterans are guided to welfare support services to be made easier to navigate. It honours the Armed Forces Covenant – a pledge, enshrined in law, that former and current members of our armed forces, and their families, should suffer no disadvantage because of their service to our nation. To contact Veterans’ Gateway Call: 0808 802 1212 Text: 81212 or visit: http://www.veteransgateway.org.uk

As Minister for Faith and Integration, I would like to personally reiterate the messages from the Prime Minister and Secretary of State Sajid Javid in light of the attack in Finsbury Park on 19 June.

I want to send my reassurances to the Muslim community across the UK that the government wholly condemns the act of terror that occurred. Such an act of terror, directed at the Muslim community, has no place in Britain.

Muslims across Britain should feel free to practice their religion safe in the knowledge that their right to do so is guaranteed. This government will do everything in its power to make sure that Muslims are protected and safe to celebrate during the holy month of Ramadan.

I will continue my work with Muslim faith and community leaders. I will listen to their concerns. I will do everything to make sure that this attack does nothing to disrupt the incredibly positive interfaith engagement and community work of Muslim communities across the UK.

The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, has opened a statutory inquiry into Youth Development Summer Camp Project, registered charity number 1086721. The inquiry was opened on 2 September 2016.

The charity has objects to provide youth development activities at summer camps to children up to the age of 17.

On 28 August 2016 the Commission was made aware by the Metropolitan Police Service that a charity trustee was arrested under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups and Adults Act 2006. A serious incident report was not made to the Commission by any of the trustees in regards to this matter. The Commission is investigating whether any Disclosure and Barring checks have been conducted.

The charity’s annual returns for financial years’ ending 2014 onwards indicate that the charity has no written safeguarding policies in place, including in relation to risk management or vulnerable beneficiaries. Due to the nature of the charity’s activities, these factors have raised serious regulatory concerns for the Commission and require further examination by way of statutory inquiry.

In order to address these concerns, the investigation is looking at whether:

• the trustees have properly managed the risk to the charity’s beneficiaries and services
• the trustees have complied with their legal duties and responsibilities in the governance and management of the charity particularly in relation to policies and procedures regarding safeguarding
• the trustees have protected the charity’s assets, including its reputation

It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were. Reports of previous inquiries by the Commission are available on GOV.UK.

The charity’s details can be viewed on the Commission’s online charity search tool.

Ends

PR 49/17

Notes to editors

1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out more about our work, see our annual report.
2. Search for charities on our online register.
3. Section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 gives the Commission the power to institute inquiries. The opening of an inquiry gives the Commission access to a range of investigative, protective and remedial legal powers.
4. The Commission’s decision to announce the opening of a statutory inquiry is based on whether it is in the public interest to do so and with consideration of our objective to increase public trust and confidence in charities.