The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has today provided an update on the UK’s approach to counter-terrorism and safeguarding national security.

In a speech at New Scotland Yard, home to the headquarters of counter-terrorism policing in the UK, the Home Secretary reasserted the UK’s leading international role in countering terrorism and keeping people safe from emerging threats.

Introduced by the head of counter-terrorism policing, Neil Basu, the Home Secretary spoke to counter-terrorism experts and senior members of the security community, where he highlighted the importance of cooperation in protecting national and international security.

He said:

From terrorism, to crime, to hostile state activity, we are facing international problems, that require an international response.

More than any other country on Earth, the UK has a coherent, connected approach to intelligence and security and when threats do appear, the world turns to the UK for leadership, support and action.

As these threats become more global we all rely on an international system of defence, policing, security and intelligence. A safety net that is based upon cooperation, and unity.

The Home Secretary also spoke about the new powers in the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019.

The Act created an offence of entering or remaining in an area that has been designated by the Home Secretary, making it illegal for a UK national or resident to travel to or remain there without a legitimate reason, such as providing humanitarian aid. The offence attracts a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

The Home Secretary said:

Today I can announce that I’ve asked my officials to work closely with CT policing and intelligence agencies to urgently review the case for exercising this power in relation to Syria, with a particular focus on Idlib and the North East.

So anyone who is in these areas without a legitimate reason should be on notice.

Speaking about international security partnerships, the Home Secretary also commented that he has agreed with his German counterpart, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK and Germany will intensify cooperation and swiftly conclude any necessary bilateral security arrangements.

He also announced that the annual Five Country Ministerial – a major meeting of the Five Eyes security partners consisting of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – would take place later this year in Manchester.

He said:

We will take forward an agenda with our allies on emerging threats – from drones to cyber, and many of the issues that I’ve talked about today.

As the only European member of the world’s foremost intelligence alliance, the UK is the hub of a truly global intelligence and security network.

Additionally, the Home Secretary announced that Jonathan Hall QC has been appointed as the new Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation.

The Home Secretary spoke about the current terrorist threats facing the UK and praised the work of the police and MI5 in response.

He said:

Each and every day, our security services fight against terror – from large international terrorist groups, to radicalised individuals.

In the past two years, they have foiled 19 major terrorist plots – 14 of them Islamist, and five of them motivated by extreme right-wing ideologies.

But those are just the headline figures. For each attack prevented, there are dozens more that never have the chance to begin in the first place.

This country is under the protection of the finest police, security, intelligence and armed forces in the world, many of them working here in New Scotland Yard.

Your excellent work, hand-in-glove with MI5, does more to keep us safe than most of the public will ever know.

Speaking about the country’s defences against hostile state activity, the Home Secretary said that the UK has used existing immigration powers, such as revocation of visas or exclusion, in dozens of cases in response to protect the country.

The Home Secretary also set out the possibility of new legislation to respond to the threats posed by hostile states. Following the attack in Salisbury, the Prime Minister announced that the Home Office would consider whether new counter-espionage powers are necessary.

The review is considering all legislation which maybe relevant to all forms of hostile state activity directed against the UK, both in the UK and overseas. The Official Secrets Acts are part of the existing legislation that is being looked at as part of that review.

The Home Secretary said:

We have to ensure that we have the necessary powers to meet current and evolving threats to the UK, both domestically and overseas.

Getting this right and having the right powers and resources in place for countering hostile states must be a post-Brexit priority so I can announce today that we are preparing the way for an Espionage Bill.

This will bring together new and modernised powers, giving our security services the legal authority they need to tackle this threat.

This comes in addition to a new power to stop, question, search and detain an individual at a port or border area to determine whether they are, or have been, involved in hostile state activity which was introduced as part of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act and which will come into force later this year.

Concluding his speech, the Home Secretary hailed the UK’s strength and unity as what sets the country apart from its adversaries.

He said:

The United Kingdom has a combination of strength and unity that sets us apart from our friends and enemies alike.

Those enemies range from entire states to lone individuals. They seek to humiliate us, to destroy our democracy and undermine our values, to sow the seeds of division but they all have one thing in common.

They know, deep down, that they cannot beat us because from every challenge, we have emerged stronger, determined, unafraid and most importantly of all, united.

The new definition of the kilogram is based on the Planck constant, a value observed in the natural world that is inherently stable and can be checked at any time, in any location. The value of the unit will not change, but the redefinition will ensure that it remains reliable, enabling far more accurate mass measurements in the future.

The Government Chemist team is celebrating a momentous achievement this World Metrology Day – a day dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of measurement for life as we know it. It underpins science, trade, and industry, and key to measurement are units like the second, the metre, and the kilogram.

In 1875, it was decided that the kilogram should be defined by a block of platinum-iridium alloy, known as the International Prototype Kilogram (IPK). This metal prototype was made in 1889, and since then, it has been kept in a high security vault in Paris, France.

It was accurate enough for many purposes, but the demands of science have increased in terms of accuracy, especially when we are working with tiny masses, like drug molecules in pharmaceutical research. Moreover, a physical artefact like the IPK is vulnerable to damage and environmental factors, like temperature.

Last November, measurement scientists from around the world gathered in Paris, the home of the IPK, to vote in favour of redefining the International System of Measurement (SI) units, such as the kilogram. This redefinition comes into effect today.

This is the result of years of research in various disciplines. New technology like the Kibble balance, which is an instrument used to measure the Planck constant, has contributed greatly to the redefinition.

In total, the definitions of four of the seven base SI units are set to change (kilogram, ampere, kelvin and mole) so they will be based on the fixed values of; the Planck constant (h), the elementary charge (e) the Boltzmann constant (kB) and the Avogadro constant (NA) respectively.

Continuity will be maintained for practical users. However, just as redefining the second and the metre helped enable GPS navigation, the redefined SI is expected, over time, to enable new technologies we have yet to even imagine.

New teachers will get additional advice and support during the first years of their careers thanks to a panel of experts, which met for the first time today.

The group of experts, led by Professor Sam Twiselton OBE, Director of Sheffield Institute of Education at Sheffield Hallam University, will be reviewing the content of teacher training and recommending ways to align this with the Early Career Framework – the biggest teaching reform in a generation – announced in January 2019.

The new guidance will underpin a training programme for all new teachers, beginning with updated core content for teacher training, leading into the Early Career Framework once qualified.

Minister for School Standards Nick Gibb said:

The Early Career Framework is a fundamental shift in the support available to teachers starting out in their careers, ensuring newly qualified teachers continue to be mentored to help them develop the key skills teachers need.

The advisory group that convened today will play an essential role in helping us to ensure that the training teachers receive is consistent, and of the highest quality, as the full programme is rolled out.

Prof. Twiselton has vast experience of developing curriculum content for teacher training. She will be supported by six leaders in education and teacher training, encompassing views from across the sector, including leading academics and teacher training providers. The other members of the group are:

• James Noble Rogers, Executive Director of the Universities Council for the Education of Teachers
• Emma Hollis, Executive Director of the National Association of School Based Teacher Training
• Professor Becky Francis, Director of the Institute of Education, University College London
• Marie Hamer, Executive Director of Learning Design and Teaching Programmes at Ambition Institute.
• Reuben Moore, Executive Director of programme development at Teach First
• John Blake, Director of Policy and Strategy at NowTeach.

Professor Sam Twiselton OBE said:

The highest performing countries around the world share a focus on developing teachers, which will be at the heart of what this group is looking to achieve.

Bringing initial teacher training and the Early Career Framework into close alignment provides a unique opportunity to ensure all newly qualified teachers have access to a shared understanding of how best to develop in their careers.

James Noble Rogers and Emma Hollis said:

We’re pleased to represent university and school-led teacher training providers in this essential work to underpin effective teacher education.

Throughout our work on this advisory group, we will take the core principles and values of teacher training into account, including the value of research and the development of intelligent practitioners.

Launched in the Department’s Recruitment & Retention Strategy, the Early Career Framework guarantees that new teachers will receive a two-year package of training and support at the start of their career, including a reduced timetable to allow teachers to make the most of their training.

Extra investment will also be pledged, through the £42million Teacher Development Premium, to roll-out the Early Career Framework early in the North East, Bradford, Doncaster and Greater Manchester.

The group is expected to make its final recommendations by the end of the summer 2019, with publication timed to best support the national roll-out of both the Early Career Framework and Ofsted’s new inspection framework.

For any queries about this review, contact the ITT policy team at: itt.policy@education.gov.uk.

It’s a great privilege for me to deliver the opening remarks at this year’s City Week.

I think in ordinary circumstances, today would be a dream occasion for a Treasury minister.

Unemployment down, wages up, inflation steady.

Nine years of consecutive growth behind us. Five more to come.

The City’s traditional strengths in good health, with a trade surplus in financial services of more than £60 billion – the largest in the world.

FinTech flourishing; other new sectors taking root – in London and in the regions of the United Kingdom.

I suspect several of my predecessors would have sacrificed their first born for such a positive set of indicators…or if not a first born, then certainly a private secretary or two.

And yet there remains a stubborn shadow over an otherwise positive outlook.

You won’t be hearing rhetorical gymnastics from me today to try to disguise the fact that we are not where I’d hoped we’d be in terms of Brexit.

I know the City wants and frankly deserves certainty, and I’m sorry I can’t give you that today (Monday 20 May 2019).

But it’s absolutely right that the government continues to seek consensus for a deal that can command a majority in the House of Commons.

Yes, it’s a slow and frustrating process, but we’re a democracy;

As Churchill said, “the worst form of government – except for all the others”.

But the fact of the matter is we can’t allow the impasse in Parliament to hold the City back…

So this morning, I want to look beyond Brexit, and talk about the long-term opportunities that exist for the United Kingdom among the markets of the future.

That’s not to downplay your concerns.

But now that the danger of a cliff-edge exit in March has passed, we do have an opportunity to pause, step back and take stock.

Because the danger is that we become so drawn into the Brexit debate that we lose sight of where our real strengths and opportunities lie.

So, let us start by asking ourselves: where will the growth in demand for financial and professional services come from over the next decade?

Earlier this month, I welcomed my Hong Kong counterpart to London for the first UK-Hong Kong Financial Dialogue.

We agreed to deepen our cooperation on financial services, particularly in accessing China and Asia.

One of the initiatives we discussed was the Greater Bay Area.

The potential found along this stretch of coastline is astounding.

Eleven major cities.

70 million people.

Three of the world’s 10 largest container ports.

And a £1.5 trillion economy which is expected to double between now and 2025.

All within an area representing just 1% of China’s landmass.

Now it struck me that we often approach the opportunities of China’s growth as if it were comparable to a traditional economic partner, when we should in fact be thinking of it as the equivalent of 4 or 5 European-sized markets.

This is just the view in 2019.

What about 2030, when Africa has a larger working age population than China?

Or 2050, when Indonesia has displaced Germany as one of the world’s 5 largest economies; with Mexico, Turkey and Vietnam rapidly rising-up the ranks?

PwC predict that by 2050, the ‘E7’ countries will have a 46% share of global banking assets, whilst the G7’s share will shrink to just 30%.

This might seem a long time away, but in the grand sweep of history it really isn’t.

And while it’s important we establish our future regulatory relationship with the EU, the fact of the matter is London isn’t a European financial hub. It’s a global financial hub. And we must never forget that.

And if we’re serious about retaining London’s pre-eminent position, then we need to act now to strengthen the skills, the structures and the partnerships that will serve us in the decades ahead.

Because the energy and focus we devote to this task will shape our future prosperity every bit as much as Brexit, if not more so.

I know many of you are already focused on doing just that.

Last week, I had the pleasure to attend Aviva’s annual reception in Parliament, where I heard about their efforts to expand into Indonesia’s growing insurance market.

Everything I’ve seen in my time as City Minister gives me reason to be confident.

Because while Parliament has been deadlocked, the City has been moving forward; doing what you do best…

Embracing new ideas…

Exploring new markets…

Pursuing new opportunities…

Believe it or not, some of us in Westminster are trying to look to the world beyond Brexit too.

So what I’d like to do now is highlight four areas of activity where the government and the City are working together to unlock the long term global opportunity.

Green Finance

The first is Green Finance.

As many of you know, the UK is already leading the world in this fast-developing sector.

More than 100 green bonds have been listed in London to date, from 16 countries raising $26 billion.

And a host of new initiatives are gaining traction, including green loans, green mortgages and ESG exchange traded funds.

I want to do all that I can to maintain the momentum.

Our aim is to establish the UK as the undisputed global hub of green finance, with links to all the major markets.

Later this year, we will publish our Green Finance Strategy to put flesh on the bones of this growing ambition.

And the Green Finance Institute – which will be launched on 2 July – will put our plans into action, developing and communicating the UK’s strengths in this dynamic market.

I welcome the recent appointment of Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas as CEO, and under her leadership I have absolutely no doubt that the Institute will help drive the green finance agenda in this country and around the world.

FinTech

The second opportunity is FinTech.

Last month’s FinTech Week was a chance to reflect on progress since the government published our FinTech Sector Strategy.

Our five FinTech Bridges are up and running, linking our most promising start-ups with overseas markets.

The revolution in Open Banking is underway, heralding greater competition, innovation and choice than ever before.

And our regulatory sandbox has been widely admired – and much copied – all around the world.

Indeed, the FCA’s proposal to create a global sandbox has now found form in the Global Financial Innovation Network.

Operating since January, it’s looking at ways to enable firms to test products and services in multiple jurisdictions.

A UK company – Onfido – is among those selected for the pilot programme.

The very fact that the UK is front-and-centre of this work is testament to the global recognition of our FinTech strength.

And it shows what we can achieve when government and business come together around a comprehensive, long-term set of goals.

India

And where better to leverage our growing strengths in Green Finance and FinTech than in the world’s fastest growing economy?

India currently invests more in the UK than in the rest of the EU combined, and it’s the third area of opportunity I want to highlight this morning.

The UK is already India’s partner of choice for professional and financial services.

Last month saw the first ever Masala Bond issued by a sub-sovereign Indian entity…and they chose to do it here in London.

Now we are working to extend our partnership.

In February, the Green Growth Equity Fund invested over £150 million in Ayana Renewable Power; the first such investment by this new UK-India venture.

We expect the Fund to raise up to £500 million of international investment through the City of London to support sustainable energy initiatives on the sub-continent.

And in February, we launched the first UK-India Joint Working Group on FinTech, to identify mutual opportunities for our respective tech sectors.

Both these examples are indicative of the opportunities that exist for the UK when we nurture our long-term partnerships.

With that in mind, the government is very pleased to be co-hosting the Square Mile’s first ever India Day with the City of London Corporation on 16 July.

China

From India, our journey of opportunity and ambition continues eastwards, toward China, my fourth and final example.

I’ve mentioned the inaugural Hong Kong Financial Dialogue.

There was a real warmth and openness to our discussion that was obviously based on our shared history but, more importantly, the shared appreciation of the opportunities that exists to deepen cooperation between our two financial centres.

We were joined by 60 industry representatives to discuss how we can maximise the opportunities around RMB internationalisation, the Greater Bay Area Project and the Belt and Road.

Impressive as China’s growth has been over the past few decades, their experience of regulation, investment, project management and other areas is still maturing – which of course plays to the UK strengths.

As the Chancellor made clear during his recent visit to China, the UK is a ‘natural partner’ when it comes to Belt and Road.

A partner with the legal and technical expertise to support the design, development, contracting and delivery of major infrastructure projects.

And with the capacity in our capital markets to help finance them too.

Over the past decade we’ve established the UK as the leading financial services partner for China, and London as the leading global centre for RMB trading.

And next month, here in London, we will use the tenth annual Economic and Financial Dialogue between our two countries to deepen that relationship further still.

Global Financial Partnerships

So I’ve given you a brief flavour of some of the initiatives I’ve been involved with as City Minister…

Markets of the future…

Allied to the rising economies of the world…

And underpinned by the City’s time-honoured strengths…

We’re nearly half way through 2019 and the possibilities are coming thick and fast…

I highlighted India and China…but I could have just as easily chosen other examples.

This week the PM and Chancellor will meet with leading figures from financial and professional services to discuss how to ensure that the UK’s business environment remains one of the most competitive in the world for these sectors.

And when we leave the EU, we will pursue our Global Financial Partnerships Strategy…

…seeking deeper, enduring, open and ambitious relationships…

…making it easier for firms to do business with other markets around the world…

…cementing the City’s position as the global capital of finance…

…and shaping Britain’s place in the world for years to come.

Unfortunately, I must leave to prepare for two Westminster Hall Debates and Treasury Oral Questions later today.

But Katherine Braddick, HM Treasury’s Director General Financial Services, is here for the Panel Discussion.

Let me end by saying I know Brexit is frustrating. I hear your varied concerns. The government hears them too, and we will do all we can to ensure you have the assurances and continuity that you need.

But ultimately our success rests not on regulatory alignment or political agreements, critically important as they are.

Our success rests on the confidence and ambition that exists in this room.

You are the leaders and influencers within the Square Mile, and our economy at large.

Where you tread, others will follow.

So, I wish you every success for this week’s conference.

And as you chart the way forward, I will do everything within the power of my office to support you on your journey of global opportunity.

The newly created role is the first of its kind across government and demonstrates the UK’s commitment to defending human rights globally.

Ambassador French will support UK’s ongoing work through the UN Human Rights Council, led by the UK’s Permanent Representative in Geneva, Julian Braithwaite, calling for action and accountability against countries who violate human rights. She will also work with countries across the globe to make sure they meet their human rights commitments to help ensure real change for people across the world.

Ambassador French will also promote UK objectives and key campaigns around the world including media freedom, modern slavery and freedom of religion or belief.

Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt said:

As the UK enters a new chapter in its history I will work to ensure that our values are at the heart of all we do. Ambassador French’s new role will be central to our work in defending human rights across the globe. Standing up for human rights is not only the right thing – it helps to create a stable, more prosperous world.

Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French said:

Human rights are the essential foundations for a fair, open and transparent society. It is tragic that in too many countries these rights are violated and abused. I will speak up for human rights, providing a voice on the international stage for those who are not being represented. I also wish to form stronger partnerships with States, supporting their efforts to fulfil their human rights obligations.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Geneva, Julian Braithwaite, said:

Ambassador French’s appointment will strengthen the UK’s role in the multilateral human rights system in Geneva and help it deliver tangible improvements for people around the world, including by giving states the support they need to turn their commitments on human rights into practice.

Based in Geneva, the Ambassador for Human Rights will travel around the world and form new alliances to help countries strengthen their voice at the UN and Human Rights Council. She will also act as the Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva and will represent the UK’s interests deputising for the Permanent Representative, Ambassador Julian Braithwaite.

Ambassador French will work with Lord Tariq Ahmad, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN and Special Envoy for Gender Equality, Joanna Roper; and Special Envoy for Media Freedom, Amal Clooney, to champion and advance human rights on the world stage.

Further information