Thank you very much Director-General for your summary and to the chairs of the negotiating groups for their updates.

I wanted to start by joining you, New Zealand Ambassador David Walker, and others in paying tribute to Mike Moore. He was the nearest thing we have had to a British Director-General for a long time, and we in the United Kingdom are very proud of him, and of his legacy here in the World Trade Organization.

With the kind permission of the Chair of the General Council, my Secretary of State for International Trade will be here to address the General Council tomorrow, and so I will keep my remarks today brief.

As Members will be aware, the United Kingdom has circulated a document contained in WT/GC/206, which sets out some of the implications of our departure from the European Union. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Members, as well as you and your team in the WTO Secretariat, for all of the constructive support we have received in this process.

I would now like to say a few words about the United Kingdom’s approach to the ongoing negotiations in which we are all engaged, and our ambitions for 2020 and beyond.

We agree with you, Director-General, that success at MC12 will be measured by the substance of what we agree. And as others have said, starting with the Swiss Ambassador Didier Chambovey, the principal metric of that success will be whether there is a fisheries deal, one that leads to meaningful reductions in harmful subsidies.

The Chair, Ambassador Wills, set out the challenges and the way forward, and we agree with him. We need to move to a consolidated text by mid-March. Members need to examine their own long-held positions critically, exercise restraint, and rally around compromises instead of sticking to incompatible national positions. The dire conditions of many of the world’s fish stocks dramatically highlights the need to deliver on this Sustainable Development Goal target. We stand ready in the UK, as do our ministers, to help the Chair and you get a deal across the line at Nur Sultan.

More broadly, as upcoming COP26 hosts, we warmly welcome other discussions in this House aimed at facilitating green growth and a more sustainable global economy.

On agriculture, I wanted to thank Ambassador John Deep Ford for his detailed report. The United Kingdom is committed to a fair and market orientated agricultural trading system, and we look forward to working with Members to address the challenges that we face and progress negotiations. We know how important this issue is for so many Members of this House.

Regarding your second tranche of issues for MC12, the United Kingdom has long supported the Joint Initiatives. They represent perhaps the most significant reform to the WTO in recent years. If they succeed, these initiatives will advance digital trade and trade in services, open up new opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Size Enterprises, and facilitate global investment for development. But, in addition to that, they will strengthen the negotiating function of the WTO, upon which the health of the global trading system depends.

On wider WTO reform, the United Kingdom supports efforts to strengthen the rules on subsidies, we support efforts to improve compliance around transparency and notifications, and we do need to discuss questions around non-market policies and practices. The WTO cannot afford to ignore these issues.

Finally, allow me to turn to the dispute settlement system. We view a fully-functioning, compulsory, binding and impartial system, with two-tier review as crucial to ensure the rules that we have negotiated can be enforced. We are committed to finding solutions that all Members can support in order to reinstate a fully effective dispute settlement system.

By way of closing, Director-General, let me just reiterate that the United Kingdom stands ready to help, in any way you would find useful, to achieve a meaningful outcome at Nur Sultan that both reconfirms the WTO’s central role, and opens up new opportunities and prosperity for our businesses and citizens.

In the year of your 25th anniversary, I want to offer my congratulations to the Youth Sport Trust, and thank you for the important role you play in helping children and young people across the country to get active and develop healthy lifestyles.

Now it’s exciting to be here in this venue, which in just over two years time will play host to the judo and wrestling events of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The performance of our elite athletes at major sporting events, like the Commonwealth Games, can play a huge role in inspiring young people to try sport.

We’re fortunate to have many recent examples but who could forget the England Women’s Football squad in France last year? Those heroic performances saw an unprecedented surge in girls wanting to take up football. And the importance of role models cannot be overestimated in sport.

It was an honour to be appointed as the Minister for Sport. As many politicians will tell you, this is the best job in Government. And while I can assure you that it does come with a few challenges, I am honoured to take on the role.

Looking back at my own track to becoming Sports Minister, my initial enthusiasm in sport really started at school many years ago. In particular, due to the inspirational leadership of two of my PE teachers: Harry Pounger and Mr Brown, and the fact that I still remember their names and still remember their influence on me, 38 years since I first met them, which says something about the power and influence that many of you as teachers in the room today can have.

I think it’s also vital at school because it’s that time in your life where you actually get the opportunity to try out so many different types of sport, whether individual sports or team sports. My enthusiasm for a whole range of sports is down to the experiences I had at school.

But the good thing about being Minister of Sport is that I do not have to be fantastic at sport – it is not part of the remit. I’m not expected to be the best sportsperson in the country. I’m not expected to be the best quiz person in sports quizzes at the local pub.

But what is my responsibility is to be a champion for all sport, in and outside Government, and to champion the UK’s sporting achievements. To get international sports to come to the UK, whether that be the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics, World Cup and so on. It’s also my responsibility to work with the governing bodies and help enable them to do their job effectively and efficiently. And also ensure we increase participation in sport, which is the most important thing, at all levels. That means making sure there’s access for disabled people, for both engaging in sport and watching sport.

It’s my responsibility to make sure we have the flow of money in sport, in the value chain, going in the right direction, and also that we’ve got enough money for grassroots sport. So it’s a fascinating brief. But the most important bit is making sure that we get as many children participating in sport as possible, and that is something I take very seriously, and something that you play an absolutely pivotal role in encouraging.

I’m also fortunate to represent an area of the country, Mid-Worcestershire, that is extremely enthusiastic about sport.

In my role as a Member of Parliament, I have seen through the Worcester Warriors rugby club in my constituency what an important role sport can play in bringing together local communities, and driving employment and investment for the local area, and inspiring young people.

And as the father of two children aged 11 and 13, I have always encouraged them to get active. I recognise the many important benefits that participation in sport can deliver.

Taking part in sport has strengthened their physical health and mental health. Sport has helped them to forge friendships, learn teamwork and leadership, and develop important skills like resilience and drive.

And of course I’m familiar with the challenges too – not least because thanks to all my encouragement, I now spend my weekends acting as a taxi service to get them to all their training sessions and matches!

I’ve also reached that point in life where my children are better than I am in many sports, and that’s actually something I’m quite proud of, rather than embarrassed about.

Now as I said, it’s at school where young people’s views on sport and physical activity are shaped.

A positive experience of sport at a young age can build a lifetime of participation, and it’s a real pleasure to meet so many of the inspirational teachers, coaches, School Games Organisers and sport providers bringing that to life.

Thanks to Sport England’s Active Lives Children survey, we now have evidence to show that physically literate children are happier, more active, more resilient and more trusting of their peers.

And that, as I suspect most of you in the room already knew, enjoyment is the key factor in increasing children and young people’s participation.

While it is encouraging that over 3 million children in England meet the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines on physical activity, this means that over half are not leading sufficiently active lives.

A third of children and young people are doing less than 30 minutes a day – half the recommended amount.

And there are stark inequalities; children from poorer families are less active, and the gender gap in activity levels is apparent from just five years old.

This government is clear; we want all young people to be healthy and active, regardless of gender or background.

Too many children are losing their confidence, understanding and enjoyment of sport as they progress to secondary school, and we can see their activity levels decline through their teenage years. I find this particularly disappointing because that’s the complete opposite of my own experience, where my enjoyment of sport increased in my teenage years.

So that is why we are working together across government to develop a comprehensive new strategy for children and young people’s sport and physical activity.

We need to develop a culture where daily – yes daily – physical activity is the norm, and ensure that all young people have sufficient opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.

And above all, we need to ensure it’s fun and enjoyable, so that they want to take part.

The Action Plan we published in July set out the government’s commitment to ensuring that all children and young people take part in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

We are calling on schools to ensure that all pupils have access to sufficient opportunities to be active throughout the school day. To build a strong PE and sport offer that appeals to young people, delivered by skilled, confident teachers.

I will work with Ofsted and the Department for Education to ensure that schools and teachers are supported to promote physical literacy and competitive sport.

This will include the commitments made during the election to invest £17 million in primary school PE teaching, and £15 million every year to help schools make good use of their sports facilities.

But this isn’t just about schools; we need to take a joined-up, collaborative approach.

We need schools, parents and communities working together to ensure that young people have access to the sporting opportunities that are right for them, inside and outside the school gates.

This will benefit not just their physical health, but their mental health as well.

For secondary school pupils in particular, we cannot underestimate the importance of promoting positive wellbeing, and the power of sport to lower anxiety, tackle loneliness and promote body confidence.

And as the teachers in the room will know, there are also positive impacts on educational attainment – and behaviour in the classroom!

So I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the huge part you already play in getting our young people active.

We will be doing more work to bring the School Sport and Activity Action Plan to life over the coming months. And I’m looking forward to hearing your expert insight into how we can build young people’s confidence and help them to develop a positive relationship with sport and exercise.

You have the power to change young people’s lives, and I hope that you will continue to inspire them to build healthy, active lifestyles that benefit them for years to come.

Thank you very much.

France, Germany and the United Kingdom express their full solidarity with all impacted by COVID-19 in Iran. We are offering Iran a comprehensive package of both material and financial support to combat the rapid spread of the disease.

The material will be transported urgently by plane on March 2 and will include equipment for laboratory tests, as well as other equipment, including protective body suits and gloves.

The E3 has also committed to providing urgent additional financial support close to €5 million to fight the COVID-19 epidemic affecting Iran, through the WHO or other UN agencies.

We will continue to support global efforts to combat the outbreak of COVID-19. Our support is directed to help the most vulnerable across the globe.

Further information

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher has today (2 March 2020) launched a competition to attract the best and brightest talents of the housing industry to design the homes of the future.

Small businesses, designers and manufacturers are invited to come forward with ideas for new low carbon, age-friendly homes, meeting the highest standards of design.

These homes will be aimed at meeting the needs of the country’s growing elderly generation, using technology and the latest innovations to improve their quality of life.

Three finalists will have the opportunity to partner with developers to deliver homes on a site owned by Homes England.

This follows the government’s recent consultation on a new Future Homes Standard, which would require all new homes built from 2025 to have 80% fewer carbon emissions.

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher MP said:

This competition will harness all that technology has to offer to bring in a housing revolution: new low carbon homes that deliver low energy bills and independent living for older generations.

The new gold standard of building will have the future in mind – not just in the United Kingdom, but worldwide.

Minister for Clean Growth and Energy Kwasi Kwarteng said:

Levelling up environmental standards in new housing across the country is essential to end our contribution to climate change.

 This government is also investing over £6 billion to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes, and during this Year of Climate Action we plan to go further to decarbonise buildings, with low carbon heating central to that.

Minister for Care, Helen Whately said:

We want everyone, regardless of age, to live healthier, more independent lives. I’m looking forward to seeing great ideas for homes that will meet people’s needs with older age, and be somewhere you would have pleasure in living.

Building homes with all generations in mind will help us achieve our Ageing Society Grand Challenge and its mission to make sure we can all enjoy an additional 5 extra years of healthy, independent life by 2035.

Last year the United Kingdom became the first major economy in the world to sign a commitment to net-zero emissions into law, leading the way in tackling climate change.

Homes are responsible for 25% of carbon emissions in the United Kingdom, and the new competition will place energy efficiency at the forefront of new home design.

And as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, the government is committed to ensuring that people can enjoy at least 5 extra years of healthy independent living by 2035.

More than 10 million people in the UK today can expect to see their 100th birthday, compared to 15,000 current centenarians.

The competition seeks out the highest standards of age-adaptable design, so that as people grow older, they are supported in living independent, fulfilling lives. 

Applicants will submit an outline design for homes that are:

• Age-friendly and inclusive – appealing to a variety of age groups and adaptable to how needs will change as people become older
• Low environmental impact – applying technology and construction techniques to deliver net zero carbon emissions
• Healthy living – promoting better health and wellbeing, such as through access to green spaces and communal areas
• Deliverable & scalable – homes that can be rolled-out across the country 

To enter the competition, visit the Home of 2030 website. The first phase of the competition will run until Wednesday 15 April 2020.

Entries will be judged by an expert panel to produce a shortlist of 6 applicants.

The 6 will be asked to develop detailed plans for a specific site scheme.

All 6 will receive £40,000 of funding to help them deliver their plans.

Three winning entries will then be chosen and winners will be introduced to Homes England development partners to explore the possibility of developing bids for a series of homes on Homes England land.

Thousands more police officers will be equipped with Taser under a Home Office-funded uplift.

Forces in England and Wales will receive £6.7 million to purchase 8,155 devices, the Home Office has announced.

This could mean more than 8,000 more officers will be able to carry Taser.

A total of 41 forces submitted bids and all will receive the full amount of money they requested.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

Our brave police officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect us all and Taser is a vital option in dangerous situations.

This funding forms part of our commitment to ensure forces have the powers, resources and tools they need to keep themselves and the public safe.

This week I also launched our consultation on the Police Covenant which will enshrine their rights in law, recognising their service and sacrifice.

Bidding which launched in January gave all Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) the chance to request money from a £10 million ring fenced fund.

Funding applications were based on the threats and risks in their local areas and PCCs outlined how many additional officers they plan to train to use Tasers.

The final funding allocations will cover the period up to March 2021.

£150,000 from the £10 million fund has been allocated to training for Taser instructors. Around £3.1 million remaining from this fund will go towards tackling serious violence and county lines.

John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said:

Taser is an essential piece of equipment which has saved many police officers from serious injury or worse.

I have campaigned for ring fenced funding for more colleagues to have access to Taser and it’s refreshing that the Home Secretary has listened and acted.

Policing is dangerous and unpredictable, my colleagues need all the support they can get and I hope this extra funding will make a difference.

Katy Bourne, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Chair, said:

The priority for all Police and Crime Commissioners, alongside keeping the public safe, is the protection and safety of police officers and staff. PCCs recognise and appreciate the exceptional and often dangerous job that officers do to protect the public.

Taser is one of a number of well proven tactical options available to police officers when dealing with an incident with the potential for conflict and we welcome the additional funding for it.

PCCs fully support and welcome the consultation on the Policing Covenant which will help to enshrine their rights in law.

This follows several commitments to back the police with more resources, powers and support.

Other steps include:

• the biggest funding boost for the policing system in a decade
• the recruitment of 20,000 additional officers over the next 3 years
• expanded stop and search powers; and plans to consult on increasing the maximum sentence for assaulting police officers and other emergency service workers

Last week the Home Office launched a consultation on a new Police Covenant to recognise the service and sacrifice of the police and enhance support and protection for officers, staff and their families.

Taser funding by region