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Author Archives: HM Government

Press release: PM call with Prime Minister Szydło of Poland: 19 June 2017

The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Beata Szydło of Poland this evening, who offered her congratulations following the general election.

Prime Minister May thanked Prime Minister Szydło for her messages of support following the recent terrorist attacks in the UK, and expressed her own condolences for the 2 Polish nationals that lost their lives in the Manchester attack.

She was clear that the bilateral relationship with Poland is a priority for the UK and that we are committed to deepening our partnership in a range of areas, including security and defence.

They discussed the Brexit negotiations which got underway today. Prime Minister May reiterated that we want to secure a deep and special partnership that supports a strong and prosperous EU.

She noted that we remain committed to coming to a swift agreement on the rights of EU citizens here and UK nationals in the EU.

They looked forward to meeting to discuss this further at the European Council this week, and also to setting a date for the UK-Poland Inter-Governmental Consultations later in the year.

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HM Government

Press release: PM call with Amir of Kuwait: 19 June 2017

The Prime Minister spoke to the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah this evening.

She congratulated the Amir on Kuwait’s election to the UN Security Council next year and thanked him for his messages of support and condolence for the victims of recent terror attacks in the UK.

The Prime Minister welcomed the leading role Kuwait is playing in mediating between Gulf States to find a solution to the ongoing isolation of Qatar in the region, and offered to support this process.

They agreed on the need for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the situation and restore Gulf Cooperation Council unity at the earliest opportunity. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of ensuring the long-term stability of the Gulf, which is also fundamental to the security and prosperity of the UK.

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HM Government

Press release: PM chairs third meeting of the Grenfell Tower Recovery Taskforce

Theresa May chaired meeting of the Grenfell Tower Recovery Taskforce and received updates on the support for those affected by the fire.

The Prime Minister has this afternoon (Monday 19 June) chaired the third meeting of the Grenfell Tower Recovery Taskforce.

She received updates on the support for those affected, including on housing, access to payments from the discretionary fund, healthcare and co-ordination on the ground.

While it was clear some progress is being made, the Prime Minister will continue to receive daily updates to ensure that the steps taken are being carried forward at sufficient scale and speed that help is getting to people who need it.

An officials-led taskforce meeting will take place tomorrow and the PM will chair a further Secretary of State level meeting on Wednesday when she expects to receive significant updates on the proportion of people who have received support across the areas identified.

Key updates include:

  • In line with the Prime Minister’s commitment to provide additional central government resource to bolster response efforts on the ground, as of this morning 5 government departments now have staff embedded within the Grenfell Fire Response Team on the ground, with a number of additional departments providing additional capability. Those Departments are: Department for Communities and Local Government, Department for Work and Pensions, Home Office, Foreign Office, and Department for Transport.

  • DWP have today begun administering the first £5,000 payments from the discretionary fund directly into the bank accounts of eligible households affected by the fire.

  • Nearly 100 letters providing further advice on how to come forward and claim discretionary payments have been personally delivered to affected residents staying in temporary accommodation, to ensure nobody who is eligible for support misses out on this funding to help with immediate costs.

  • The Prime Minister received reassurances that the commitment to re-home people within the same or neighbouring borough would be met within the three-week deadline – and that reports of people being offered homes hundreds of miles away were false.

  • Work is ongoing to assess the housing needs of all residents who have had to leave their home – with the first rehousing offers made today.

  • A dedicated, 24/7 NHS mental health response line is now active to provide services and advice to anyone affected directly, or indirectly. Enhanced support has begun for first responders from today and the NHS London bereavement pathway has been put in place to support bereaved families in the longer term.

  • Local NHS primary care services are also providing enhanced support, including primary care and pharmaceutical services at rest centres and extended opening hours at local GP services.

  • By close of play today, DCLG expected to receive figures from all local authorities and housing associations in England on the total number of high-rise buildings across the country which would be subject to additional safety checks.

  • DCLG has written to the heads of Local Authorities providing more details to help councils identify a particular type of cladding which is being subject to additional checks – facilities have been set up for testing of samples to begin from tomorrow once the first returns are received from councils.

  • There will be a further boost to the number of council workers visible on the ground to provide direct assistance to residents.

  • The Lord Chief Justice is expected to appoint a judge to oversee the independent Inquiry in the next couple of days and the Prime Minister has reiterated her commitment that residents would be consulted on the terms of reference for the inquiry before they are finalised.

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HM Government