On a tour of the Mersey Waters Enterprise Zone with Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, the Minister saw first-hand the Wirral Waters regeneration scheme which is transforming the 500 acre Birkenhead docklands into a pioneering, mixed use waterside city extension.

Delivery of this masterplan is already well underway, with one major development – the Wirral Metropolitan College moving into their new £10.5 million RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) campus – thanks to £2.7 million investment from the government’s Local Growth Fund.

The minister also met senior executives from the Peel Group – a member of the government’s official Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme – who are researching the potential for a ‘free port’ for Liverpool.

Freeports are hubs for business and enterprise for both manufacturing and services trade. These could be free of unnecessary checks and paperwork, and include customs and tax benefits. These zones reduce costs and bureaucracy, encouraging manufacturing businesses to set up or re-shore. The most successful Freeports globally attract businesses and create jobs for local people through liberalised planning laws.

Earlier this month, the government announced a new Freeports Advisory Panel to advise on establishing up to 10 Freeports after the UK leaves the European Union on 31 ctober.

Peel L&P, part of the Peel Group are also drafting exciting plans for the development of a Maritime Knowledge Hub within the Wirral Waters priority regeneration area – creating a centre of excellence and a platform for maritime businesses to grow within the Liverpool City Region.

Northern Powerhouse Minister, the Rt Hon Jake Berry MP, said:

As a proud Scouser born and bred on Merseyside, Liverpool is the obvious place to make the first visit in my new role, see how the Northern Powerhouse is already making a massive difference to people’s lives and set out the government’s plan to level up our regions.

So far we have committed a game-changing £1.3 billion across the Liverpool City Region and established a powerful Metro Mayor with a war chest of responsibilities to drive jobs and growth. The Northern Powerhouse agenda is delivering for Liverpool, but there is so much more to do.

Liverpool is one of the most forward-thinking cities in the UK thanks to the government’s devolution agenda and major investments being made by companies like the Peel Group. They embody the dynamism and character of the area and its people.

Deputy Chairman of the Peel Group, Neil Lees said:

As part of our ambitious £50 billion Ocean Gateway strategy, through its investments, Peel Group has already seen more than £750 million invested in facilities and infrastructure at the Port of Liverpool and along the Manchester Ship Canal including schemes such as Liverpool and Wirral Waters – which is one of the most significant regeneration projects in the UK.

In addition to this, we believe the Ocean Gateway strategic corridor creates new global trading opportunities for the Northern Powerhouse and supports the re-balancing of the UK economy.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you USG Nakamitsu for your briefing.

Colleagues, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, signed by the United States and Soviet Union in 1987, eliminated an entire category of missiles, those capable of travelling 500 to 5500km. It was one of the key achievements of post-Cold War arms control in Europe and delivered greater security and stability, not just for Europe, but for the entire world.

Over a long period, Russia violated the INF Treaty by secretly developing and deploying non-compliant missiles; specifically a mobile-launch missile system, the 9M729. These missiles are hard to find, rapidly deployable and can target European cities with conventional or nuclear warheads. Russia refused to acknowledge their existence until the US identified the missile using its Russian designation. Russia’s only subsequent attempt at openness was a stage-managed offer to demonstrate the missile’s alleged compliance. This would have taken place under contrived conditions and it would have been impossible to assess the range of the missile.

On 1 February 2019, the United States announced its intention to suspend its obligations under INF, thereby triggering a six-month withdrawal process, which concluded on the 2nd August with the lapse of the Treaty. Russia bears sole responsibility for the Treaty’s demise; the UK and NATO Allies fully supported the US decision to withdraw.

In the last five years, many diplomatic efforts have been made to persuade Russia to return to compliance; the US raised this issue with Russia over thirty times and NATO Allies reached out unsuccessfully via the NATO Russia Council. Russia, however, has remained defiant, focusing its narrative on denial of the facts and counter-accusations, the likes of which we have heard once again today.

On the 2nd August, when the INF Treaty lapsed, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that “we will not mirror what Russia does, we do not want a new arms race, and we have no intention to deploy new land-based nuclear missiles in Europe”. He explained that NATO will respond to Russia’s aggressive actions, but “everything we do will be balanced, coordinated and defensive”.

We support the United States’ explanation of the timeline for development of its recently tested ground launched cruise missile and do not believe that the US was at any time non-compliant with INF.

Madam President, as a permanent member of this Council, Russia has the responsibility to play a vital role in promoting international stability. However, this behaviour once again undermines Russia’s claim that it is a responsible international partner, upholding international peace and security. Russia’s present actions are in line with a pattern of aggression that represents a clear threat to international peace and security.

Thank you.

People in Derry-Londonderry will continue to enjoy the benefits of direct flights to London thanks to renewed funding from the UK government, the Transport Secretary has announced.

Grant Shapps has confirmed that the UK government, in partnership with the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, will continue to subsidise the route between City of Derry Airport and London, with the final destination switching from Stansted to Southend Airport.

The decision demonstrates the government’s continued support for the union and follows the Prime Minister’s promise of £300 million in extra funding to boost growth in the devolved nations.

Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, said:

This announcement is another demonstration of how the UK government and its resources enhance the everyday lives of the people of Northern Ireland.

I’m backing this route because I understand just how important these daily direct flights linking London and Northern Ireland are. Whether it brings businesses together or reunites loved ones it will enhance connections across the UK.

This public service obligation (PSO) protects an important route which provides a valuable connection for businesses in the region, maintaining 26 flights per week on a 49 seater aircraft. Up to 6 direct trains an hour from London Southend Airport also provide a connection to the City of London in just over 50 minutes.

The decision ensures passengers can travel from Derry to London and back, conducting a full day of business without the need for an overnight stay, while boosting tourism to the region. The route will also provide valuable economic support to the region, helping to secure jobs.

UK airports like City of Derry Airport play an important role in delivering domestic and international connections that help passengers travel further and link businesses to global trade partners, and this government subsidy will help support an important connection to London, helping people do business, visit family and go on holiday.

The renewal of this funding is a clear example of the government’s own ambitions for a thriving economy as it works to ensure all regions and nations of the UK are well served by airports and routes to the rest of the country.

Julian Smith, Northern Ireland Secretary of State, said:

This route is vital for the expanding economy of Derry-Londonderry, including local business and tourism, and will become even more important as we work towards finalising a city deal for the area.

Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair Managing Director, said:

Following a competitive tender process, we are delighted to have been awarded the PSO route between London and the City of Derry – extending Loganair’s excellent long-standing relationship with City of Derry, where we were the first airline operator over 40 years ago.

London Southend is a highly convenient entry point to England’s capital and the South East, serviced by its own dedicated train station only 100 steps away from the airport terminal.

Together with our business focused schedule, generous inclusive baggage allowance and attractive frequent flyer scheme, this latest phase of partnership between Loganair and London Southend Airport will significantly enhance air connectivity in Northern Ireland’s North West, generating lasting benefits for both the region’s economy and our customers.

Glyn Jones, CEO of Stobart Aviation, which owns and operates Southend Airport, said:

We are delighted London Southend has been selected to help retain this important daily link between Derry and London, which is vital for both business and tourism.

New early and late trains, along with up to 6 services an hour to London Liverpool Street in 52 minutes, bring Derry and London closer than ever and show just why we are fast becoming the capital’s quickest and easiest airport to use.

Ellie Haggart, a cyber security apprentice, and Jack Lofthouse, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) pilot, opened the doors on their day-to-day work at the Sellafield site in west Cumbria.

Featuring on the BBC Bitesize ‘world of work’ series, the pair shared their experiences of what it’s like to work in cyber security and nuclear decommissioning.

The online clips, which see videos of Ellie and Jack in the workplace, aim to encourage and inform viewers of careers across a host of industries and sectors.

Ellie, a cyber security apprentice with Energus and sponsored by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), works to keep the Sellafield site safe from cyber threats.

Her cyber specialism sees her write policies and standards to keep people safe in the workplace.

Jack, who operates the ROVs that work under water in the site’s storage ponds, is helping to clean up nuclear waste and make the site safer for future generations.

His role involves moving radioactive waste into storage skips and scooping sludge from the pond floor.

Ellie and Jack’s skills are considered vital to the future of nuclear decommissioning and their training is all part of NDA’s drive to have the right people with the right skills at the right time.

Jacq Longrigg, the NDA’s Head of Skills and Talent, said:

Ellie and Jack are examples of the next generation of our nuclear workforce who have the skills needed to continue our decommissioning mission.

The NDA is committed to ensuring a skilled workforce is ready to meet the future demands of our industry, and we hope that Ellie and Jack’s stories will inspire more young people to consider an exciting career in the sector.

Jamie Reed, head of corporate affairs for Sellafield Ltd, said:

The decommissioning of Sellafield is one of the most complex engineering challenges anywhere in the world.

We’ll need a pipeline of skills over many decades to get the job done safely, securely, and cost effectively.

We want to ensure as many local people as possible can access these opportunities.

It’s great to see Ellie and Jack achieving their potential and encouraging other young people to do the same.

Nadim Zahawi, Minister for Nuclear, said:

The UK has world-leading expertise in decommissioning, and to maintain our position we want to encourage as many young people as possible to consider a career in the low-carbon nuclear sector.

The training Jack and Ellie have benefited from will stand them in good stead for their future careers. The skills this next generation of nuclear apprentices learn will be crucial as we work towards meeting our legally-binding commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Adrienne Easterbrook, General Manager of Energus, added:

Two years after recruiting the first cohort of cyber security apprentices, we have now supported a number of them into permanent roles. It has been fantastic to see them grow into the young professionals they are today.

Ellie will soon be moving into her permanent role within the cyber security support team.

See Ellie and Jack’s world of work stories:

Ellie: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zjvf2sg

Jack: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrw647h