We, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, share fundamental common security interests, along with our European partners. One of them is upholding the nuclear non-proliferation regime, and ensuring that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) plays a key role in this respect.

Together, we have made clear our regret and concern at the decision by the United States to withdraw from the JCPoA and to re-impose sanctions on Iran.

Despite increasingly difficult circumstances, we have worked hard to preserve the agreement. All remaining parties to the JCPoA, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Iran, with the EU as coordinator, have stated their continuing commitment to preserve the JCPoA.

It is essential that Iran return to full compliance with its commitments under the agreement. We have expressed our deep concern at the actions taken by Iran in violation of its commitments since July 2019. These actions must be reversed. We reserve recourse to all the provisions of the JCPoA to preserve it and to resolve the issues related to Iran’s implementation of its JCPoA commitments within its framework.

We will also need to define a long-term framework for Iran’s nuclear programme.

Recent events have highlighted Iran’s destabilising role in the region, including through the IRGC and Al-Qods force. Our commitment to the security of our allies and partners in the region is unwavering. We must address – through diplomacy and in a meaningful way – shared concerns about Iran’s destabilizing regional activities, including those linked to its missile programme. We reiterate our readiness to continue our engagement for de-escalation and stability in the region.

We note Iran’s announcement with regard to the shooting down of UIA Flight PS752 and commit to working with Iran on next steps.

Today, our message is clear: we remain committed to the JCPoA and to preserving it; we urge Iran to reverse all measures inconsistent with the agreement and return to full compliance; we call on Iran to refrain from further violent action or proliferation; and we remain ready to engage with Iran on this agenda in order to preserve the stability of the region.

The Prime Minister spoke to Chancellor Merkel this afternoon.

On Iran, they discussed the tragic loss of life on the Ukraine International Airlines passenger jet.

They condemned Iran’s arrest of the UK Ambassador to Tehran as a violation of international law.

The leaders also discussed our shared interests in ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, and reaffirmed their continued commitment to preserving the JCPoA.

The leaders also discussed Libya and the importance of continued dialogue with international and regional partners to reduce tensions and encourage support for the UN-led process.

Published 12 January 2020

Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Muscat this morning to offer his condolences following the death of HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman.

He will attend a condolence ceremony at Al Alam Palace, alongside the Prince of Wales, the Defence Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Staff.

The Prime Minister will meet the new Sultan – HM Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said – and other senior members of the Government of Oman.

The UK and Oman have a broad and long-standing bilateral relationship that goes back over 200 years.

Our countries have deep economic ties and shared defence and security interests. There are strong links between our citizens in areas such as education and the arts.

The UK also cooperates closely with Oman on regional issues, working together to address shared challenges, and to promote peace and stability.

The Prime Minister met Sutlan Qaboos bin Said al Said as Foreign Secretary in December 2017 and January 2018.

He is attending the first of three days of official condolences in Oman led by the new Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.

More than 100,000 patients have had appointments with expert pharmacists in the last 10 weeks, relieving pressure on GPs and A&E departments.

The community pharmacist consultation service (CPCS) was introduced in October 2019. The service enables NHS 111 health advisers to refer patients with minor illnesses to their local pharmacy for assessment and treatment.

Since the scheme began 114,275 patients with minor illnesses or who needed medicines were referred to a local pharmacist. The appointments involved:

• 64,067 urgent medication requests for conditions, such as diabetes or asthma
• 50,208 people with a minor illness given clinical advice, such as for a sore throat or earache

CPCS is funded as part of the £2.592 billion per year agreed in the community pharmacy 5-year contract.

The role of pharmacists is an important part of the NHS Long Term Plan, encouraging the public to make better use of clinical expertise closer to home. 10,610 pharmacies are currently registered with the CPCS.

Pharmacists are highly skilled health professionals who have 5 years of training, giving them expert knowledge on how to use medicines to support patients.

Patients can use the free NHS 111 phone and online service for urgent medical needs, see their local pharmacist for minor illnesses and ensure they have the medication they need.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

I want to see pharmacists ready and able to do much more to help people stay healthy and prevent pressure on hospitals. This ‘pharmacy first’ approach makes life easier for patients and will help reduce pressure in the NHS. I want to see more patients with minor illnesses assessed close to home, saving them unnecessary trips to A&E or the GP, and helping people get the care and advice they need quicker.

Thousands of patients receiving same-day advice from highly skilled pharmacists is exactly what we need. Community pharmacy is an integral and trusted part of the NHS and we want every patient with a minor illness to think ‘pharmacy first’.

This is just part of this government’s work to deliver on the people’s priorities and strengthen our NHS. Our record financial commitment for the NHS of £33.9 billion extra every year within the next 5 years – which we’re enshrining in law – will also allow us to expand frontline services with 50,000 more nurses, 6,000 more GPs and 6,000 more primary care professionals.

Dr Bruce Warner, Deputy Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for NHS England and NHS Improvement, said:

This unlocks the full potential of community pharmacy, giving it a more central role in healthcare and speeding up patients’ access to excellent care and face-to-face consultations.

The number of referrals from NHS 111 in the first 2 months alone shows how well it is working and reaction has been good, with people telling us they have been satisfied with the service they received.

A new joint report from the Government Office for Science with HM Treasury sets out a series of recommendations to put science and engineering at the heart of government policy.

Science is crucial for the success of the country and plays a vital role in government, providing the evidence and support we need to achieve impact in policy-making and operations. It ensures government is resilient against shocks and emergencies, and equips us to capitalise on the emerging opportunities that technology provides.

The review Realising our ambition through science assesses government’s current science and engineering capabilities and recommends how best to use these to meet future challenges.

Sir Patrick Vallance, government Chief Scientific Adviser said:

There is an opportunity to recharge and redefine science capability in government to improve the evidence base for decisions and create opportunities for innovation and growth.

We need to drive the changes that are required for us to realise our ambitions as a government by creating an expert, efficient and leading S&T system.

Key recommendations include:

• every department should have a clearly defined science system, set out in a single document which incorporates the entire range of that department’s science activity
• all departments should publish annual Areas of Research Interest documents to encourage collaboration and commissioning of R&D
• the government should make greater use of Public Laboratories as leaders in directed R&D programmes
• departmental submissions to HM Treasury as part of Spending Reviews should include a statement of research and development need together with costed plans for meeting those needs
• for important cross-government areas of science, shared governance models should be established to improve co-ordination and to maximise funding opportunities
• plans should be developed to ensure the Civil Service has the scientific skills it needs and the mechanisms to deploy them effectively including remedies for any skills shortages

To realise all the benefits science and engineering can bring across government, the review highlights that as well as practical changes to science in government, we also need a big cultural shift, to put science at the forefront of thinking.

Read the full review.