Author Archives: HM Government

Noswaith dda, a diolch am y croeso cynnes heno.

I would like to begin by thanking you for inviting me to speak here this evening, and for your warm welcome.

It is great to be here again be in Wales – the country of Saint David, T. E. Lawrence, Tom Jones, David Lloyd George – and hard as it is for me to admit – better than average rugby.

And it is a pleasure to be addressing you in such a beautiful building, in the heart of this wonderful city.

The design of Cardiff City Hall was inspired by English and French Renaissance architecture, but opened during the Edwardian period, when Cardiff’s prosperity from the coal industry was at its height.

The Renaissance was a period of history that is widely regarded as the cultural bridge between the Middle Ages and modern Europe; a period that inspired centuries of creativity and intellectual thought across Europe, and one that many believe defined what it is to be European.

And so what an appropriate building in which to be talking to you this evening, as we look to build a positive and special future relationship with the European Union, focussing on the businesses and industries that make the United Kingdom – including Wales – a thriving place to live.

It is in this spirit of new beginnings that we should look to our future relationship with the EU – a spirit of promise, ambition and opportunity.

The people of the UK, including a majority here in Wales, have voted to leave the EU, and for many, this is an exciting time full of potential and prosperity.

We have been clear that, as the UK Government, it is our responsibility, ambition and belief that we will get the best possible deal for the whole country, as we build our new and special partnership with the EU.

Our challenge is to navigate our exit from the EU with cool heads, and with a sense of innovation and ambition.

We want to get the best outcome for every individual who lives in the UK, every sector of our economy, and for every nation of our United Kingdom – none more so than here in Wales.

Importance of CBI Wales

The CBI in Wales plays a crucial role in representing the business voice across Wales, ensuring that it is heard around the United Kingdom and beyond.

Your membership plays a vital role in feeding into the work that both my department and the UK Government as a whole is doing – and we hugely value your views and input as we navigate this period of opportunity and challenge.

We understand that the UK’s decision to leave the EU brings challenges for businesses, and we want to be clear that we are considering how this change will impact the whole of the UK economy.

My colleague David Davis stood here last year and addressed you all – and I want to build on the message he gave then.

He made clear the crucial role that Wales will play as we make a success of our departure from the EU. And since he spoke, the UK Government has gone on to scrap the Severn Tolls, secured a new daily flight to Qatar and is working to add more companies like Aston Martin to the growing cluster of companies looking to invest in Wales.

We are demonstrating an open, cross border commitment to the future of Wales outside the European Union. I pay credit to my close colleague Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales, in making sure the voice of Wales – guided by you – is heard around the cabinet table.

As leaders of industry here in Wales, I would like to ask for your help:

• help us to write this new and exciting chapter in our country’s history
• help us to understand how to get the best deal for businesses in Wales and the UK
• help us by projecting confidence and ambition about what lies ahead

EU nationals in the Welsh economy

For the UK economy is fundamentally strong, and there are more people in work across the UK than ever before.

In Wales alone, there are more than 1.4 million people in work; in the past few months unemployment in Wales has fallen to a record low; and has more than halved since 2010.

Exports are worth almost £16 billion a year, and Wales has been the fastest growing part of the economy per head outside London since 2010.

There are currently more than 79,000 EU citizens living in Wales, the majority of whom are working in key economic sectors, public services or higher education institutions – and contributing greatly to Welsh culture and society.

I understand that a number of business sectors across Wales are ones where there is a significant representation of migrant workers: for example tourism in North Wales, as well as manufacturing and construction.

EU migrants in Wales have a higher employment rate than the working age population as a whole – 79 per cent of working age EU migrants in Wales are in employment, compared to 71 per cent of the total working age population.

This is similar to the pattern across the rest of the UK, and we understand the need for these key sectors of the economy to have access to the necessary workforce once the UK leaves the EU.

That is why the UK Government is committed to creating opportunities across the whole of the UK, with businesses in Wales – quite rightly – at the forefront of this ambition.

We are committed to ensuring we remain an attractive option for those with the skills and expertise across all sectors of our economy, and who play an invaluable role in making the United Kingdom and Wales better still.

We have been clear that after we leave the EU, we want to strike a balance between attracting the brightest and best to work and study in Britain, and controlling immigration from the EU in the national interest, thereby delivering on the will of the British people in June last year.

The Government understands that this is a time of great change, and we want to provide clarity going forward – both on those who are here now, and those who we want to come here to Wales in the future.

Status of EU Citizens’ rights

As you know, we are in the process of negotiating our withdrawal agreement with the EU, and the Prime Minister has been clear that it is her first priority to ensure that the 3 million EU citizens living in the UK – as well as those UK citizens living in the EU – can carry on their lives as before.

We will continue to recognise the valuable contribution migrants make to our society and will remain an open and tolerant country, welcoming those with the skills and expertise to support our businesses and industries.

As the Prime Minister emphasised in her speech in Florence, and again in her recent open letter to EU citizens, we greatly value the contribution that EU citizens make to our national life – and we want them and their families to stay.

I have personally spoken to many European citizens who are understandably concerned about their future in the UK.

These are people who have made a hugely positive impact on the social, economic and cultural fabric of our country, including Wales. We know that they bring with them ideas, innovation and skills which are relied upon by our employers and businesses; from aviation to hospitality, from tech to tourism.

The Prime Minister, the Home Secretary and I have repeatedly been clear that those EU citizens living lawfully in the UK today will be able to stay.

Of course, these initiatives are taking place in the context of negotiating our exit from the EU. As Immigration Minister, I recognise both the challenges and opportunities this presents.

You will have seen the widespread media coverage of the talks in Brussels over the past few days.

The UK and the Commission have held positive talks, and we have made good progress but there are some final issues to resolve.

As the Prime Minister and President Juncker have said, both sides are confident we will conclude this positively ahead of the December European Council.

We know that our relationship with our European partners is set to change, and our exit from the EU marks a critical period in the history of this relationship.

But we want to retain the deep and special partnership that we enjoy today, and I am confident that together we can forge a brighter, better future for Wales, the UK and the EU.

Future ‘settled status’ scheme

But I also recognise concerns some individuals have about how the agreement will be implemented: that the process will be over-complicated and bureaucratic; that it will throw up hurdles that are difficult to overcome.

I want to provide some much-needed reassurance here:

• we have committed to provide an application system that is as simple and user-friendly as possible, and we are developing it with the individual user in mind

• we have committed to minimise the burden of documentary evidence required to prove eligibility

• we have committed to a 2-year period after our exit for people to apply, and the Home Office will work with applicants to help them avoid any errors or omissions

• we have committed to keep the cost as low as possible, with the fee not exceeding the cost of a British passport

• for those who already hold an EU permanent residence document, there will be a simple process to exchange this for a settled status document – charged at a reduced or no fee

• we have committed to engage with users every step of the way – which is why we have set up a new user group for this scheme;

• and we are also engaging with representatives of EU citizens to ensure the process meets their needs

I am confident that our approach to the design and development of the scheme, as well as the eventual outcome, will be well received by you in business and industry.

But most importantly – it will be straightforward for those who use it.

Since the result of the referendum, we as a Government have been clear that our top priority is securing the status of those EU citizens living in the UK and Wales, and UK nationals living in the EU.

And this extends to businesses and communities too, as we understand the need for certainty around access to the workforce you need.

We hope that our offer will provide this reassurance to both individuals and you as their employers – that this part of your workforce will be able to stay permanently and carry on exactly as before.

Future immigration system

But we also understand your concern that businesses in Wales and across the UK will still be able to access the skills and labour they need in the future to deliver growth.

We will be setting out our proposals for the UK’s future immigration system shortly.

And we will introduce an Immigration Bill in the new year.

But I want to use this opportunity this evening to emphasise some core principles of the new scheme.

There will be a smooth transition. I recognise the importance of providing certainty, and clearly business and public services should only have to plan for a single set of changes.

That is why the Prime Minister has made clear that there will be an implementation period of around two years, providing this certainty for business and individuals, and ensuring no cliff edge.

During this period, access to one another’s markets should continue on current terms and Britain should continue to take part in existing security measures.

People will continue to be able to come and live and work in Wales; but there will be a registration system – which is an essential preparation for the future system.

Going forward, we will make decisions about the future arrangements following discussions with stakeholders, including with the EU, and based on evidence.

That is why we have commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee to report on the impact of the UK’s exit for the EU, and how the UK’s immigration system should be aligned with our modern industrial strategy.

The Migration Advisory Committee will provide a clear opportunity for businesses and employers – such as yourselves and others in Wales –to express views that will play a vital role in the decisions we make about our future immigration system.

Although the committee’s initial call for evidence has now closed, they will continue to engage with organisations.

I also appreciate that different sectors and regions of the UK will feel they have different needs – which is why our commission to the MAC will allow us to get a richer understanding and develop a future system that seeks to work for everyone, applying as much to Wales as every other part of our country.

In addition, the Government is speaking with businesses like those represented here tonight, industry, trades unions and many others to ensure we strike the right balance between keeping our future immigration arrangements in the national interest, and ensuring the UK remains open to the talent we need from Europe and the rest of the world.

Conclusion

So as we look to the future, I want to stress the importance of working together, under the shared ambition to secure the best possible outcome for Welsh businesses, industry and communities.

As we take back control of our immigration system by ending freedom of movement under EU law, I want to stress that we do not want to end immigration from the EU.

The UK Government greatly values the incredible contribution that EU citizens make to the UK economy, and we want to continue to attract the best and the brightest to make all four parts of our country better still.

It is only with your help and support that we will ensure the whole UK – with Wales at its heart – remains a hub for industrial excellence and a great place to open and run a business.

Together, we can make this ambition a reality and build a whole United Kingdom fit for the future – with Wales leading the way.

Thank you.

Diolch yn fawr. Mwynhewch y noson.

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Violence against women and girls remains one of the most systematic, widespread human rights violations worldwide.

Around the world at least one woman in every three has been beaten, coerced into sex, and otherwise abused in her lifetime. Most often the abuser is a member of her own family. In all, women are victims of intimate partner violence at a rate of about 5 times that of males.

Domestic violence is not only a gross violation of human rights; it is a fundamental obstacle towards achieving gender equality and eradicating global poverty.

The UK’s theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism will be largely focused on Domestic Violence, driven in part by the PM’s personal commitment to tackling the issue in the UK.  

Domestic violence, in the form of physical or sexual violence causes immediate devastating consequences to those affected: physical injuries, mental health problems and poor well-being, to name but a few. But it also has long-term, far-reaching effects, including persistent inequalities between men and women, which limit women and girls’ abilities to fulfil their potential.

Ending gender inequalities such as domestic violence at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UK is committed to eliminating all forms of gender inequality and uses the full range of our influence to champion women’s and girls’ rights e.g. collaborating with the new FCO Special Envoy for Gender Equality, Joanna Roper. The Special Envoy’s remit covers all Gender Equality issues and focuses on delivering the Foreign Secretary’s vision of ‘a foreign policy that delivers consciously and consistently for women and girls’ under three themes; Equal; Safe; and Empowered.

This three strand framework – Equal, Empowerment and Safe – encompasses our gender equality work by ensuring equality for women and girls by eliminating barriers that limit and hold back women and girls e.g. in accessing education. Helping to harness their full potential by supporting them to achieve greater economic empowerment and ensuring they are safe and secure from all forms of violence.

Our gender equality and foreign policy aims to consciously and consistently deliver for women and girls around the world by tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG). This includes protecting against modern forms of slavery, tackling radicalisation and countering violent extremism and promoting the role of women in preventing violent extremism and promoting peace.

In light of the significant social, economic and public health problems caused by VAWG in Ghana and the increasing rates of reported cases of VAWG in Ghana e.g. domestic violence, rape and defilement, we found it necessary and timely to launch these preliminary findings from the DFID-funded ‘What Works’ programme on the costs of domestic violence on businesses in Ghana.

This significant new study will build on existing data to address the dearth of knowledge on the socio-economic cost of VAWG in Ghana. Thus capturing direct tangible and intangible costs at the household, business, community and national level.

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UK business can apply for a share of up to £19 million to help them develop products and services of the future.

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The cash boost is part of the economic development aimed at helping to build sustainable communities around former power stations.

The money has been granted by the company’s socio-economic scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

The Romney Resource Centre, near Dungeness, and the Maldon District Enterprise Centre, near Bradwell, will benefit from the cash.

The Romney Marsh project will see £38,260 from the pot of funding to help adults gain skills in English, maths and technology, as well as to find work placements and employment. It will also mean three jobs will continue at the project.

In Maldon the £60,000 awarded will continue to drive forward the project to establish an Enterprise Centre in the area, developing business plans and a design for the building.

Nigel Monckton, Magnox Socio-Economic Manager, said:

The opportunity for long-term benefit from these projects is huge, and by working in partnership with our communities we aim to help them develop lasting programmes that meet their specific needs.

We have helped a number of organisations to achieve their goals by providing finance and support, and it is our joint intention to make sure that our socio economic support continues to achieve the greatest possible impact.

Magnox operates both Bradwell and Dungeness A sites.

Magnox, the Cavendish Fluor Partnership and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority work together to support a wide range of projects, from large transformational schemes that receive multi-year funding, to equipment that supports education and skills development.

Find out more or apply for funding

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Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Mr Chair – Tony Otteng Gyasi – [chair of BEEP Better Regulation Advisory Committee] Country Director of the World Bank Heads and representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies and other representatives of private sector institutions Members of the Press Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good morning to you all.

As Country Director for the UK’s Department for International Development in Ghana, it is a pleasure to give remarks at the launch of the Ghana’s Business Regulatory Reform Programme.

The UK Government has had a longstanding partnership with Ghana to help to improve the business-enabling environment for investment. As a development partner, DFID recognises the critical role of the private sector in creating jobs, supporting economic transformation and contributing to income growth and therefore poverty reduction. Creating the conditions for the private sector to do this through robust business regulation is key.

The Government of Ghana has set out both an admirable vision of Ghana ‘beyond aid’ and an ambitious economic transformation driven by industrialisation. Two weeks ago in London, the British Prime Minister met with His Excellency the President and noted that, as Ghana moves beyond aid, the UK-Ghana relationship is changing from one focused on aid to a partnership of mutual economic benefit.

Much of DFID’s work is already supporting a Ghana “beyond aid”:

• Our Business Enabling Environment Programme works with the Government to take forward reforms around construction permits, support speedy dispute resolution and help to improve taxpayer services. The programme has supported a high level reform taskforce to begin work on cutting business regulation.

• Our Anti-Corruption programme (STAAC) is working with state actors and civil society to strengthen Ghana’s response to corruption.

• Our Oil and Gas programme (GOGIG) is helping to improve institutional efficiencies in oil and gas regulatory institutions and ensure that revenues contribute to inclusive growth that benefits all Ghanaians.

• And our support to Ghana Revenue Authority is providing technical assistance to broaden Ghana’s tax base.

DFID is also currently designing a new programme to support key elements of the Government’s industrialisation plan. The programme will focus on structuring investment promotion and requisite industrial policy to attract strategic trade and investment into priority industrial sectors.

Honourable Minister, I am delighted that you have laid out a compelling strategy for business reforms over the next three years with a focus on addressing system-wide issues.

I particularly concur with the elements of this strategy that focus on addressing the underlying challenges to reforms, so rationalising current business regulations whilst managing the quality and flow of new regulations. I would also like to commend Mr Chairman and the private sector on how you have engaged with the reform process initiated by the Government. The collective effort to identify unnecessary regulation and poor implementation of it demonstrates a real commitment to Ghana’s reform agenda.

But we know that implementing regulatory reforms and making them stick will not be easy. Although Government is taking bold steps to become the most-business friendly nation in Africa by 2020, and Ghana is currently ranked as best in West Africa and 12th in Africa on the Doing Business index, the recent drop in Ghana’s ranking needs to be a call to action.

Ghana is not alone in facing huge challenges in a reform journey. We in the UK have faced similar challenges. Indeed in the UK, 21,000 statutory rules and regulations were counted to be in force in 2014. Reform measures such as the one-in, one-out regime, transparency and consistency in the analysis of new regulations and making “intelligent regulation” a core competence for the UK Civil Service profession were introduced to drastically cut inefficient regulation.

As Ghana moves beyond aid and development partners switch emphasis from aid to trade, this is essentially the “final push” – we must take advantage of current resources and expertise to really secure and sustain reform gains. These gains have not always been sustained in the past.
For the UK’s part, and as we transition from aid, the UK will partner with government to secure greater private sector investment flows and responsible investment, including from the UK, to support economic transformation focused on job creation.

Ghana’s business regulatory reforms also need to support government to function efficiently and effectively to deliver on the ground and ensure that the private sector feels confident to invest. This requires sound regulatory frameworks and improved institutional efficiencies. Red tape needs to be firmly cut. From my conversations with potential British investors it is clear that unnecessary bureaucracy is still stifling the incentives for their businesses to invest in Ghana.

As tomorrow is the world Anti-Corruption Day, it seems fitting to mention the role that perceptions of corruption play in trade and investment decisions. Taking bold steps to tackle corruption will be central to improving Ghana’s ranking on the ease of doing business index. This will require tackling the vested interests and resistance that otherwise will constrain the government’s ability to deliver on the ambitious plans set out here today.

The UK is supporting the government to take forward the commitment they made at the London Anti-Corruption Summit last year on Beneficial Ownership Transparency. This will not only be an important transparency tool for law enforcement agencies – making it harder for companies to obscure or hide their real owners – but will also build confidence for foreign and domestic investors looking to do business in Ghana. Delivering on this would make Ghana a genuine trailblazer, the first country in Africa to establish a public register.

We know that the Government has put in significant work on reforms. Recent efforts on convening over 33 Government agencies around key reform issues, implementing paperless customs and online business registration are commendable. But in a world where other countries are also rapidly reforming to attract investment, Ghana must set the pace.

This afternoon a number of BEEP supported regulators and private sector will be meeting to review progress on reforms over the last year. We are looking to the outcome of these deliberations and the specific actions and commitments that are made for reforms in 2018 and beyond.

Ladies and Gentlemen, to conclude, Ghana needs to take further steps to remain “investor friendly” and demonstrate that Ghana is truly open for business. It is competing in a period where favourable conditions for investment flows to emerging markets are now tightening.

The size of the challenge – and the opportunity to really reform Ghana’s business regulation – is huge.

Development partners including the UK and World Bank can help, but ultimately it will be up to Ghana to really shift the dial on reforms in order to provide a sounder enabling environment and regulatory framework for businesses to establish, flourish and contribute to Ghana’s national development.

We wish you well on the “road to sustainable reforms”.

Thank you.

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