The Prime Minister met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the G7 today.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of the UK-Japan relationship and the need to further strengthen this, particularly in the area of security cooperation. They confirmed their commitment to free trade and shared values.

The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Abe committed to pursuing an ambitious free trade agreement, building on the existing EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.

The Prime Minister met Egyptian President Sisi at the G7 today.

The two leaders agreed on the strength of the bilateral relationship and committed to developing a modern, strategic partnership between our countries.

They expressed their shared desire to strengthen economic, trade and security cooperation between the UK and Egypt.

The Chevening SAJP Fellowship is aimed at mid-career journalists from South Asian countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives; and enables them to learn, build on their experience and unleash their potential.

Applicants can apply for the fellowship by submitting their online applications at http://www.chevening.org/programme/south-asia-journalism until 9 October, 2019.

Acting British High Commissioner to Pakistan Richard Crowder said:

I am delighted to announce that applications for the UK’s Chevening SAJP Fellowship 2020 are now open.

Media is one of the most important pillars of democracy with the UK championing the work of journalists and media freedom worldwide, including through the recent Global Conference for Media Freedom held in London this July.

Applicants will have the opportunity to join an exclusive club of over 45 journalists from Pakistan that have benefitted from the SAJP fellowship; the programme provides a unique opportunity to build a local, regional and global network of professional significance, further strengthening the great links between our two countries.

I would particularly welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply; our ambition is to have an equal split between women and men who are awarded Chevening scholarships from Pakistan.

Through the Chevening SAJP Fellowship, fellows will undertake a bespoke eight week programme titled ‘Good Governance in a Changing World: the Media, Politics and Society’ at the University of Westminster in the UK. The programme explores the different ways in which the media play a part in holding democratic processes to account, including government, the civil service and security, as well as the broader political system in both the South Asia region and the UK.

Editorial Notes

The SAJP fellowship offers full programme fees, living expenses for the duration of the fellowship and return economy flight for the UK. To be eligible for a Chevening SAJP Fellowship, applicants must have at least seven years work experience prior to applying and a postgraduate level qualification at the time of application. Applicants should be mid-career journalists working in the political or economic sectors in Pakistan and have good working knowledge of English (which may be assessed by a qualified English language assessor) Visit www.chevening.org/fellowship for detailed information on the eligibility criteria and award specifications.

The fellowship programme will commence in March 2020. The fellowship is hosted by the University of Westminster and funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

For further information:

The Chevening programme was established in 1983 and recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. In that time over 50,000 outstanding professionals have had the opportunity to experience the UK and develop their careers through Chevening. There are more than 1,500 scholarships on offer globally for the 2019/2020 academic year, demonstrating the UK’s long-standing commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow. The name ‘Chevening’ comes from Chevening House in Sevenoaks, Kent – currently the joint official residence of the UK’s Foreign Secretary.

For updates on the British High Commission and the Chevening Programme, please follow our social media channels:

The Prime Minister met Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the G7 today.

The leaders discussed their enthusiasm for an enhanced and deep trading relationship once the UK leaves the EU.

The Prime Minister set out the increase in the UK’s diplomatic presence in the Pacific, which Prime Minister Morrison welcomed.

The two leaders were concerned about the current situation in Hong Kong, and agreed that it was paramount for all sides to remain calm and peaceful and to maintain Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy as guaranteed by the legally binding Joint Declaration.

An additional 50 towns will benefit from the £1 billion Future High Streets Fund, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed today.

Towns across England – from Dudley to Dover and Scarborough to Stockport – will join 50 successful areas already shortlisted to develop plans to reinvent their high streets.

The funding could be used by these areas to improve transport and access into town centres, convert empty retail units into new homes and workplaces, and invest in vital infrastructure.

The extension to the shortlist comes on the back of the £3.6 billion Towns Fund announced last month, which included an additional £325 million for the Future High Streets Fund, taking the overall Fund to £1 billion as the Government looks to drive forward local growth.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

Our high streets are right at the heart of our communities, and I will do everything I can to make sure they remain vibrant places where people want to go, meet and spend their money.

But with our town centres facing challenges, we’re today expanding the High Streets Fund to support over 100 high streets to regenerate – backed by £1 billion of vital investment.

This scheme is going to reenergise and transform even more of our high streets – helping them to attract new businesses, boost local growth, and create new infrastructure and jobs.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:

High streets have a crucial role to play as we work to grow the economy of all parts of the country.

Our £1 billion Future High Streets Fund is key to delivering this, empowering local leaders to help transform their high streets and town centres as consumer habits change, by investing in housing, workplaces, infrastructure and culture.

Interest in the Fund has been huge, and with so many strong applications, I am extending the number of towns moving forward to the next phase and getting a chance to develop their proposals.

The government is going to level-up our regional economies and as Communities Secretary I am proud to be driving this agenda forward.

Successful candidates will progress to the second phase of the Future High Streets Fund and receive up to £150,000 to support the development of detailed project proposals that can be submitted for capital funding.

The scheme was launched in December 2018 and is a key part of the Government’s plan to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that drives economic growth and sustainably improves living standards.

A number of other measures have already been taken to support our high streets, including the creation of the High Streets Task Force to support local leaders in delivering ambitious plans.

Through the planning system we are helping to support changes to high streets, making it easier for them to adapt, with a wider range of retail, residential and other uses. The Open Doors pilot in five town centres is bringing empty shops back into use, by opening these to community groups who are offering services to the most vulnerable in our communities.

Small retailers have also seen their bills cut by a third thanks to business rates retail discount, worth an estimated £1 billion.

The Great British High Street Awards recognise and celebrate retailers and community groups who are working in innovative ways to keep town centres and high streets vibrant and strong. Shortlisted high streets were recently announced and voting for the Champion and Rising Star Awards is now open.