While in Washington the Foreign Secretary will meet Vice-President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said:

The US remains the UK’s closest partner and ally. When it comes to challenges such as tackling Russia’s malign influence, bringing an end to humanitarian crises such as that in Yemen and stopping the use of chemical weapons there is no international relationship more important to us.

The Foreign Secretary’s visit this week is an opportunity to discuss the full breadth of our foreign policy cooperation. It is also a chance to look ahead to the future of the UK-US relationship – a future underpinned by an ambitious post-Brexit trade deal and driven by our shared values and vision for a more secure, stable and prosperous world.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will travel to Washington today for talks with the US Administration and other senior US politicians on a range of foreign policy issues including Yemen, Iran, Syria, cyber security and the future of the UK-US relationship.

Two men guilty of dealing class A drugs have today had their sentences increased after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred them for being too low.

Rowan Lopez, 31, and Marc Lawrence, 38, were under surveillance by police in early 2018. During this time, police saw them exchanging items with people, including known drug-users, outside of the block of Bounds Green flats they were based in.

When searched in February 2018, Lawrence was found to be in possession of heroin and crack cocaine. Lopez was arrested in March and found to be carrying £2,630 in cash, as well as a phone linked to previous drug deals. The flat was also searched, and police found more drugs.

Lopez and Lawrence were both originally sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison at Wood Green Crown Court in October 2018. Today, both of their sentences have been increased to 6 years in prison.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

“I hope that the Court of Appeal’s decision today helps to deter others from dealing in drugs. Illegal substances destroy our local communities and those caught selling them will be dealt with severely.”

Rowan Lopez and Marc Lawrence have today had their sentences increased after they referred to the Court of Appeal for being unduly lenient.

The Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme has welcomed 3 new members from Cumbria, as the region marks ‘Cumbria Day’.

Energus, based at Lillyhall, is a world-class training provider based in West Cumbria. The company manages programmes of training and education ensuring a talent pipeline of graduates and apprentices into a range of organisations.

Cumbria Tourism is the official destination management organisation for the Lake District. Its mission is to create a world-beating visitor experience. With their ambition and enthusiasm to share their knowledge about the county with visitors they are helping to boost the tourism sector in the region.

The University of Cumbria was formed in 2007 by the merger of St Martin’s College, Cumbria Institute of the Arts and University of Central Lancashire’s Cumbria sites. As a significant and sought after institution for Cumbria and North Lancashire, the University works in partnerships to develop the region’s talent and capabilities and attract new talent into the region to study and work and live.

Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry MP, said:

I’m delighted to welcome these 3 trailblazing organisations to our rapidly growing Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme. In Energus, Cumbria Tourism and the University of Cumbria, we have 3 innovative and dynamic partners who I am proud to work hand-in-hand with to promote the economic strengths of our region and Cumbria’s integral contribution to the Northern Powerhouse.

Energus General Manager, Adrienne Easterbrook, said:

Energus are delighted to have been accepted as a member of the Northern Powerhouse. It is a fantastic initiative that will bring together organisations who are passionate about the North and want to work collaboratively to make it even better.

Energus are proud to celebrate our achievements, which are possible because of the work we do with other businesses. We are committed to facilitating opportunities of learning and development for all. By offering a range of diverse apprenticeship and graduate programmes we ensure an enthusiastic workforce of young professionals entering industry. We will promote the Northern Powerhouse to our employees and stakeholders and celebrate the achievements across the North.’’

Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said:

As an organisation, we are immensely proud to be part of the Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme and to promote some thriving Cumbrian businesses to decision-makers at the heart of government. Cumbria is a unique and diverse county with a £2.9 billion tourism sector and is a vital part of the wider Northern economy. Cumbria Day is our chance to showcase the very best of what we have to offer to businesses, visitors and residents alike.

Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria, Jackie Arnold MBE, said:

The University of Cumbria is an integral part of the Northern Powerhouse and are pleased to be an official partner. Operating across 5 locations in Cumbria as well an additional campus in Lancaster, we are passionate about positioning the University as an anchor institution within Cumbria and feeding into the Northern Powerhouse’s skills agenda.

Particularly, we are focussed on addressing educational cold spots, skills gaps and “brain drain” in the North by working across sectors and collaborating with industry to provide a robust offer to students and employers and continuing to play a significant and recognised role in the region and making a strategic contribution to the local economy.

The Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme is a key part of creating the Northern Powerhouse. The government is building a network of partners who all believe strongly in the economic potential of the North and support the need for a combined effort by government and business to realise that potential.

There are nearly 200 businesses and organisations signed up to the Partners Programme.

Prospective partners can email NorthernPowerhouse@communities.gov.uk for more information about the Partners Programme and how to apply.

All Cumbria Partners

• Appleby Creameries/Cows and Co.
• Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC)
• Carlisle Lake District Airport
• Cumbria LEP
• Cumbria Tourism
• DNV GL
• Energus
• New Balance
• Orsted
• Playdale
• Sellafield
• Total Post
• University of Cumbria