• Trade Secretary will use first trip to Washington D.C. to promote importance of trade as a force for security and prosperity
• Badenoch to meet key US political figures, members of Congress and investors during visit
• Trade Secretary will also discuss how to get more women-owned businesses trading internationally at Washington Post Global Women’s Summit

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch MP visits Washington DC today (Mon 14 November) to promote UK-US trade and encourage western allies to do more together to future-proof the global economy against shocks.

On her first visit to DC in the role, she will make a speech at the free market think tank Cato Institute, telling US political figures that now is the time for allies to face down protectionism and promote strong trading alliances to challenge the increasing threat of authoritarian states.

She will say the UK and US will work together to future-proof their economies by shaping the global rules of trade, promoting more diverse, resilient supply chains, investing in cutting-edge technology that will support jobs of the future, and protecting our long-term energy security.

The US is the UK’s largest trading partner, and every day more than one million people get up and go to work for British companies in America, and almost 1.5 million people do the same for American companies in the UK.

Kemi Badenoch will use meetings on the Hill with senior representatives of both parties to make the case for boosting our transatlantic trade relationship even further in the years ahead.

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch MP said:

The US and UK share the same values – freedom and free trade – and the result is a partnership more important than any other in the world.

I’m in DC to boost our trading relationship further and work with allies on critically important issues like strengthening supply chains, protecting our long-term energy security and creating jobs in industries of the future.

Both the UK and the US know we cannot have security at home without security abroad, and we need to make the global economy resilient to future shocks. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and show how muscular liberalism and free trade are a force for good in the world.

While there Trade Secretary Badenoch is due to meet with US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo, and members of the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee.

She will also speak at a US Chamber of Commerce roundtable event with key US businesses to promote the UK’s low-tax, high-talent, business friendly environment and highly innovative economy.

Badenoch will also discuss how trade policy can break down barriers for women as business owners, entrepreneurs, and consumers at the Washington Post Global Women’s Summit, at which Hillary Clinton is also set to appear.

The visit follows a series of successful transatlantic trade talks between the UK and US which have delivered the removal of harmful 232 tariffs on UK steel, an end to the 25-year ban on British lamb, and the suspension of harmful 25% tariffs on UK products like Scotch Whisky.

The UK is also pursuing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with individual US states to unlock barriers to business and pave the way for more UK and US businesses to invest, export, expand, and create jobs. We have already signed MoUs with Indiana and North Carolina this year, with more to follow soon and ongoing engagement with states including South Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, Texas, and Oregon.

• Members of the Royal Family and senior politicians will lay wreaths at the Cenotaph
• Around 10,000 Royal British Legion veterans will march past the Cenotaph to pay tribute to their fallen comrades

A national two-minute silence led by His Majesty The King will take place across the UK today as the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph takes place to remember all those who have died in conflict since the First World War.

As well as the two-minute silence taking place at 11am, wreaths will be laid by Members of the Royal Family, senior politicians and faith representatives at the Cenotaph. Approximately 10,000 Royal British Legion veterans, representing 300 different Armed Forces and civilian organisations, will take part in the March Past; they will be joined by an estimated 10,000 members of the public who will line Whitehall to watch the service.

Among those marching will be 100-year-old Second World War veterans and those who served in recent conflicts including in Afghanistan. 400 members of the South Atlantic Medal Association will march past the Cenotaph to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War. They will also be joined by bereaved family members with the youngest marcher aged eight years old.

For those unable to travel to London for the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph or to attend their local Remembrance Sunday service, the national event will be broadcast live on BBC One, Sky and ITV as well as on YouTube.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

This year more than ever, we are reminded of the huge debt of gratitude we owe those who lay down their lives to protect their country.

As we fall silent together on Remembrance Sunday, we will honour the memories of the men and women we have lost and pay tribute to the brave soldiers of Ukraine as they continue their fight for freedom.

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

Remembrance Sunday gives us the chance to come together to remember all those who have fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. This year’s service is particularly poignant as we think of our friends and allies in Ukraine.

I would encourage everyone, no matter where they are, to come together in silence at 11am to remember and give thanks for the sacrifices made by so many.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Remembrance Sunday is a time to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our veterans and service personnel on operations around the world. We must never forget those who gave their lives in defence of our values and our great nation.

All of us will also be thinking of those brave Ukrainians who are fighting for their very own survival to defend freedom and democracy for all, just as the UK and Commonwealth soldiers did in both world wars.

Today, members of the UK Armed Forces at Cenotaph and around the world will come together to honour all those who came before them.

The Royal British Legion’s Director of Remembrance, Philippa Rawlinson said:

As we come together on Remembrance Sunday, we pay tribute to Her Late Majesty The Queen, The Royal British Legion’s Patron of 70 years and longest serving Commander-in-Chief of the British military.

Her Late Majesty was dedicated to duty and epitomised the service and commitment shown by our Armed Forces community, thousands of who will march past the Cenotaph where she laid her wreath each year.

Her Late Majesty’s deep bond with the military lives on with His Majesty The King and The Royal Family. Similar Royal British Legion ceremonies will be uniting communities across the nation in Remembrance and today is an opportunity for us all to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices of all those who serve, past and present.

Rogue landlords who exploit the supported housing system at the expense of vulnerable residents could be banned from operating or fined up to £30,000 as enforcement is stepped up across the country.

A £20 million government fund will support councils to crack down on landlords who profit through benefit claims but fail to support their vulnerable residents.

Supported housing provides accommodation alongside care, support, or supervision for residents who may have experience of homelessness, mental health issues or domestic abuse.

Poor performing landlords will need to improve and provide better accommodation and support or face enforcement action, including penalty charge notices of up to £30,000, prohibition orders on the most dangerous properties or even prosecution.

The funding will enable councils to step up inspection of accommodation standards and provide enhanced scrutiny of Housing Benefit claims to ensure they are reasonable. It will also improve local enforcement of the quality of accommodation and support to residents including supervision, advice, or help with life skills, to help tenants live independently in the community.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove MP said:

Time’s up for rogue landlords who take money from the taxpayer while exploiting vulnerable people.

We are stepping in to help councils crack down on this appalling activity and I will be working closely with Bob Blackman MP on his Private Members’ Bill to deliver tough new laws to end this practice once and for all.

The announcement comes ahead of the second reading of Bob Blackman’s Private Members Bill on 18 November which seeks to address poor-quality supported housing.

The Supported Housing Improvement Programme funds announced today follows successful pilots in Birmingham, Blackburn, Darwen, Blackpool and Hull councils which helped them carry out over 1,000 property inspections of supported housing backed by over £5 million.  A further £6m funding was award to these councils through the Supported Housing Programme in August 2022, to help them continue to build on their work here.

The UK government has hosted the 38th British-Irish Council Summit in Blackpool where the discussions included topics such as the war in Ukraine, the rising cost of living and sustainable economic growth.

Building upon the Prime Minister’s calls to the First Ministers on his first day in office, and demonstrating the importance of pragmatic and constructive working, the Prime Minister travelled to Blackpool on Thursday to open the summit and welcome delegates – the first Prime Minister in 15 years to attend.

Established in 1999, the British-Irish Council was created two decades ago by the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement to promote positive, practical relationships among the people of the islands and to provide a forum for co-operation.

Membership includes the UK and Irish government, devolved administrations and crown dependencies. There were no devolved leaders in attendance from Northern Ireland due to the current suspension of the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Summit was chaired by the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP. He said:

This British-Irish Council has given us an opportunity to discuss the challenge all parts of these islands face with the rising cost of living and how we can do more to support the most vulnerable in our communities.

The Prime Minister’s attendance and constructive conversations with the First Ministers is a clear signal of our renewed ambition to work more closely together, with an absolute focus on tackling the most pressing issues across the UK.

As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement next year, which established the British-Irish Council, everyone in attendance agreed that restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland is an absolute priority over the coming months.

Visit the British Irish Council website for more information on the Summit.

Whilst at the British-Irish Council, the Prime Minster held the inaugural meeting of the Prime Minister and Head of the Devolved Government Council, as set out in working arrangements established earlier this year.