The UK and US have set up the Trade and Investment Working Group with an aim to deepen our bilateral trade and investment relationship. The group has been discussing:

• how to provide commercial continuity for US and UK businesses when the UK leaves the EU
• what both sides can do in the short term to facilitate bilateral trade and investment

We cannot complete a free trade agreement (FTA) before leaving the EU but the UK and US will work together to prepare the ground for a future FTA once the UK has left.

An opportunity for growth

The US is our largest trading partner outside the EU, accounting for a fifth of all exports, and trade between the 2 countries is worth over £160 billion a year. It’s also the single biggest source of inward investment into the UK, standing at £252 billion at the end of 2015. Our economic prosperity is enhanced by the depth of our trade, financial, cultural and investment links with the United States.

Exchanging information

To have successful discussions, the working group needs to exchange information. The UK and US have exchanged letters setting out our joint commitment to treat this information as confidential, unless both sides agree otherwise. As discussions involve exchanging information on how we can deepen our trade and investment ties, it’s important for both sides to trust that this can be exchanged in confidence.

The agreement we have reached:

• does not supplant the government’s duty to consider requests under the Freedom of Information Act
• is compatible with the Cabinet Office guidance on how the government should exchange classified or sensitive information internationally, with other government or organisations

Sharing information outside of government and the working group

Government has the discretion and autonomy to share information with bodies, groups or individuals. Under these arrangements, we have made the commitment to do so in a way that maintains the confidentiality of the information, unless the UK and US governments agree it can be treated otherwise. The same applies to the US government’s treatment of information relating to the Trade and Investment Working group shared by the UK.

UK government information regarding the Trade and Investment Working Group that is not shared with the US is not subject to these arrangements and will be treated as all other government information of the same nature.

Read the UK and US governments’ letters on the treatment of information exchanged during the the UK-US Trade and Investment Working Group.

John Bond, 32, was convicted of causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drugs in September this year.

Bond failed to give way at a junction resulting in a collision between his van and another vehicle. His sister, Ms Bond, 22, who was sat in the front and not wearing a seatbelt, suffered a severe head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene. The other passenger, Ms Bond’s boyfriend was also injured but not seriously.

The driver of the other vehicle suffered significant injury and was unable to work for 6 and a half months as a result of the accident. He has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Bond originally escaped prison, instead receiving a 2 year suspended sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court. The Court of Appeal today imposed an immediate custodial sentence of 2 years. He has been ordered by the Court to surrender himself by 4.30pm today. The period of disqualification from driving was also increased from two years to three years.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General, who referred the original sentence to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient said:

“The original sentence failed to take adequate account of the tragic loss of a young woman’s life. I believe that this sentence of immediate imprisonment properly reflects the seriousness of Mr Bond’s offending.”

Advice to the Prime Minister on how to improve the use of technology in social care, and the Prime Minister’s response.

Rising levels of employment are a clear demonstration that Wales is open for business, Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns said today (13 December).

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the employment rate in Wales has increased 0.5% across the quarter.

The statistics show:

• The unemployment level is up 6,000 (0.4 percentage points) over the quarter. The rate in Wales is now 4.7%, which is above the UK average of 4.3%
• The employment level in Wales is up 2,000 (0.5 percentage points) on the quarter. The employment rate is now 72.8%, which is still below the UK average (75.1%)
• Total employment for the UK is down 56,000 (0.2 percentage points) on the quarter but up 325,000 (0.7 percentage points) on the year. The employment rate is now 75.1%
• Total UK unemployment is down 26,000 (0.1 percentage points) on the quarter and down 182,000 (0.6 percentage points) on the year. The unemployment rate is now 4.3%, the joint lowest it has been since 1975

Secretary of State Alun Cairns said:

Whilst it is great to see that employment levels have increased there is still more that needs to be done to ensure employment levels are sustainable.

The UK Government is working hard to create the right conditions for economic growth, investment and jobs in Wales by implementing policy such as scrapping the Severn Tolls. We will continue to do more to demonstrate the strength of the Welsh economy to business.

I’m convinced that increasing exports to new markets will not only grow the Welsh economy but will create jobs across Wales. I’m doing everything I can with the support of my cabinet colleagues to help companies in Wales maximise their exporting potential.

Museums and galleries across England will be able to apply for a share of £4 million to improve exhibition spaces and increase accessibility, Arts Minister John Glen announced today.

The scheme – jointly funded by DCMS and the philanthropic Wolfson Foundation – is designed to improve the quality of displays, enhance exhibition spaces and increase access.

Since the partnership began in 2001, ten rounds of grants have helped fund 343 renovation and improvement projects at 107 museum groups and galleries. The 11th round is currently underway and is supporting an additional 39 museums.

John Glen, Arts Minister said:

This Fund is a wonderful example of how government and philanthropic organisations can work together to benefit our diverse museum sector.

These grants are an important boost to the sector, improving the visitor experience and making our world-leading collections open to as many people as possible.

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation said:

This programme demonstrates how philanthropy and government can work fruitfully together in partnership and we are grateful to DCMS for matching our funding. The range and quality of collections in our museums and galleries is one of the great cultural assets of this country. The aim of the Fund is to create even better visitor experiences for those viewing these wonderful collections. These are projects that are often difficult to fund from other sources, and we are delighted to be continuing our investment.

Applications will be open in spring 2018, with an announcement of successful grants expected next December.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

About the Wolfson Foundation:

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity that supports and promotes excellence in the fields of science, health, education and the arts. All awards are given on the basis of expert review. Over £800 million (£1.7 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 10,000 projects throughout the UK.