Thank you very much, Tom, for that kind introduction, and for facilitating today’s nuclear showcase.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Civil Nuclear Showcase 2017.

This is the sixth time the event has been run by the UK government, but the first year under the auspices of the newly created Department for International Trade.

I’m delighted to see attendees from our trading partners across the world. Over 20 nuclear markets are represented here today – a reflection of the truly global nature of the nuclear sector.

To every delegation here today, the showcase will offer a busy programme of industry speakers, market access briefings from local experts, and roundtable sessions.

I would also like to thank our event partners – URENCO, Lloyds Register and the National Nuclear Laboratory, as well as our event supporters – Amec Foster Wheeler, Atkins and the Nuclear Industry Association, for their unwavering support of this showcase, and of Britain’s nuclear industry.

This showcase is, fundamentally, about building those commercial ties and business relationships that will empower the global nuclear industry far into the future.

Tomorrow, you will hear about the successes of the UK’s domestic nuclear industry, but this morning I thought I would open the showcase to reflect upon what is undoubtedly an important time for the global nuclear industry, and illustrate the key role that the United Kingdom has to play in its future.

Nuclear power is an industry with a truly global reach.

As we speak, there are 447 commercial reactors operating in 31 countries across the world, meeting around 11% of global electricity demand.

Yet this is only the beginning – there are currently another 60 reactors under construction, and plans for many more.

Over the next 20 years, it is estimated that over £930 billion will be spent expanding global nuclear capacity.

I am here today because the United Kingdom has a pivotal role to play in the future of nuclear power.

We are a nation with a strong nuclear heritage. As the first country on earth to develop and safely operate commercial nuclear power stations, our industry draws upon over 60 years of accumulated knowledge and expertise.

Underpinning this historic capability is a world-leading regulatory regime and a highly skilled and qualified workforce of over 65,000 people.

With no domestic reactor vendor of our own, UK companies are uniquely placed to offer impartial support, advice and assistance to our international partners.

Already, nuclear industries across the world, from China to the Czech Republic, are seeing the benefits of our industry-leading support.

As well as supporting new build programmes and through-life support, British companies also export their waste management and decommissioning expertise around the world. I would like to highlight the excellent work of James Fisher Nuclear and Cavendish, 2 firms who have been involved in the clean-up of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

It is not only exports, though, that Britain has to offer.

Our domestic market is flourishing, marked by last September’s approval of Hinkley Point C – the first new nuclear power station in this country for a generation.

And as we will hear later this morning, plans are also coming together for subsequent new domestic projects involving Horizon, NuGen and EDF and CGN.

Each of these projects will provide inward investment opportunities, and will see the UK’s nuclear workforce continue to grow, particularly in the North West and the South West as the new build programme creates at least 40,000 jobs.

Looking beyond nuclear new build, the UK is also home to a large active decommissioning programme, worth over £3.2 billion annually, as well as cutting-edge R&D centres.

Both of these present a vast range of opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.

I’m delighted to announce that CNNP UK, which was set up last April to support CNNC’s investment in the proposed China-UK Joint Research and Innovation Centre and further business development in the UK, is planning to expand its staff numbers in the UK and move to larger offices in London.

The UK welcomes their expansion, which is a strong vote of confidence in the UK, and highlights the global interest we have in our nuclear market.

Finally, given the concentration of nuclear assets and activity in the north of the UK, it is also my pleasure today to launch ‘Nuclear in the Northern Powerhouse’, which sets out areas of interest in this region to international investors.

Before we formally begin the showcase, I must touch on the European Union.

Some have suggested that the referendum result was a vote for insularity, or that the UK will somehow be abandoning our international commitments.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

We may have voted to leave the EU, but we are not withdrawing from the world.

International trade has long been the lifeblood of the British economy, and the driver of our prosperity. Commerce is part of our national DNA.

Britain will always remain open to international investment and commercial partnership, and a champion of free and open trade.

It is true that, in leaving the European Union, Britain will also be leaving Euratom.

Though our exact relationship with Euratom will be subject to negotiations with EU partners, I want to reassure you – our withdrawal from the Euratom Treaty will in no way diminish our nuclear ambitions.

This government is firmly committed to delivering a world-leading nuclear programme in close collaboration with our international counterparts.

There will be challenges ahead, but my department will support the nuclear industry every step of the way, as you continue to deploy your skill and expertise to strengthen our trading relationships with the global nuclear sector.

The Department for International Trade has a dedicated nuclear team based here in London, and they stand ready to work with our commercial officers in Embassies and High Commissions around the world to attract investment and support British companies operating overseas.

My final message today is that my department is listening. The nuclear industry is a key wealth creator in the UK, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and raising our international profile.

If we work together, we can ensure that your industry goes from strength to strength, and delivers for Britain.

Thank you, and welcome to the showcase.

A record 167 UK tech companies are flying the flag for Britain this week at the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC) in a bid to attract global business partners, helped by Government support.

They join firms from over 200 countries at the largest ever gathering of over 100,000 tech professionals, entrepreneurs and investors from global tech giants like Samsung and Huawei to new start-ups. With one of the largest national presences the UK, through DIT, is helping small firms across the country showcase their ideas abroad.

Of the bumper delegation travelling to Barcelona from across the UK, 58 companies who secured government financial support are representing regions such as Devon, Manchester and Staffordshire, with 17 from Scotland alone.

Speaking at the event, International Trade Minister Greg Hands said:

The world continues to see the UK as a leading technology destination of choice, with global tech companies such as Facebook, Apple and Google leading the charge to invest in Silicon UK.

We have some of the most innovative tech talent and entrepreneurs in the world, and I want to encourage other investors to take notice and take advantage of our expertise and ideas. Global industry shows, like Mobile World Congress, are a huge opportunity for small businesses, and my department is here helping more UK companies than ever build the connections they need to revolutionise the world and go global.

The UK’s tech sector attracts more international inward investment than the rest of Europe combined with 25% of all overseas inward investment into Europe coming to the UK. Over 348,000 people work in UK telecomms and related software development.

DIT is working with 75 UK firms at Mobile World Congress to showcase their products and ideas and match them with potential partners and investors through meetings at the conference. This follows the continued commitment of global brands to the UK, with Snapchat choosing the UK for its new international HQ, and Google and Facebook both increasing their staff here.

With worldwide mobile data traffic expected to increase a hundredfold in the next 5 years, as more people get online, the government is helping UK firms seize an increasing global market.

Companies DIT is supporting include What3Words which offers national postal services and aid agencies a pinpoint accurate global address system. Its revolutionary mapping system has also been nominated for 2 Global Mobile Awards being announced out at MWC.

Giles Rhys Jones, Director at What3Words said:

MWC is a fantastic platform to reach potential partners, investors and influencers, and the support we have received from the Department for International Trade to help us get here has been fantastic.

This Notice was issued as Diatom Retail Limited were placing on the market Diatomaceous Earth based products for use in the worming of animals contrary to Regulation 4 of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR).

The improvements required are for:

• the highlighted medicinal claims, as identified in supplied sample documents, to be removed from all Diatom Retail Ltd marketing material
• Diatom Retail Ltd to provide written confirmation to the VMD that no further attempts will be made to market their products for the purpose of worming animals without proper authorisation

The Environment Agency is continuing conservation measures on its Watersmeet and Glenthorne Fishery for the coming season.

Restrictions have been in place on this popular Exmoor fishery since 2014 in response to disease problems affecting adult salmon and sea trout returning to the East Lyn to spawn. Recent monitoring also revealed reduced numbers of young salmon.

Anglers have been allowed to continue fishing for salmon and sea trout on a ‘catch and release’ basis throughout the season and have been limited to fishing with a fly or spinner only. The use of worms was traditionally allowed from 16 June. However, this method of fishing can be very effective and has been prohibited in recent years to limit the number of fish caught while stocks have been under pressure.

Following discussions with the Lyn Riparian Owners Association and local interest groups, worming is being allowed again on a trial basis this year from 16 June, subject to strict conditions.

Worms will only be allowed when fished on a single circle-patterned hook, no larger than Size 4. A circle hook increases the likelihood a fish is hooked in the jaw where it can be safely removed. This type of hook reduces the risk of ‘deep hooking’ which can sometimes occur when worming. It also reduces the chances of accidentally catching trout and salmon parr on this method.

All salmon and sea trout must still be released throughout the 2017 season, irrespective of the method used to catch them. As a further conservation measure, anglers will not be allowed to fish with worm at any time in Long Pool.

Mike Holland of the Environment Agency said:

We want fishermen to continue to enjoy their sport on the Watersmeet and Glenthorne Fishery, but at the same time ensure suitable measures are in place to safeguard migratory fish returning to the river to spawn.

By allowing only circle hooks to be used for worming we hope to maximise the survival chances of any salmon and sea trout caught and released by this method. We’ll review the success of this trial at the end of the season.

The brown trout fishery regulations remain unchanged. The full list of fishery regulations can be found printed on the reverse of the permits, purchasable from local agents.

• GDP could increase by up to 1.3 per cent a year if workers from BME backgrounds progressed at the same rate as their white colleagues

• Businesses with more than 50 employees urged to publish breakdown of workforce by race and pay band

• New Business Diversity and Inclusion Group announced to make sure government and industry work more closely to improve representation, inclusiveness and opportunities in the workplace

The UK economy could benefit from a £24bn-a-year boost if black and minority ethnic (BME) people progressed in work at the same rate as their white counterparts, a government-backed review has found.

The independent Baroness McGregor-Smith Review, which has been published today, found people from BME backgrounds are still being held back in the workplace because of the colour of their skin, costing the UK economy the equivalent of 1.3 per cent in GDP a year.

The review also found employment rates for people from BME backgrounds are 12 per cent lower than their white counterparts at 62.8 per cent, with just six per cent reaching top level management positions.

People from BME backgrounds are also more likely to work in lower paid and lower skilled jobs despite being more likely to have a degree, the report reveals.

In a series of recommendations, the review calls for large employers should lead the way in tackling barriers to BME progression, calling on companies with more than 50 employees to:

• Publish a breakdown of their workforce by race and pay band
• Draw up five-year aspirational diversity targets
• Nominate a board member to deliver on these targets

Baroness McGregor-Smith said:

“The time for talk on race in the workplace is over, it’s time to act. No-one should feel unable to reach the top of any organisation because of their race.

“If businesses and the Government act on my recommendations, it will show everyone from a minority background that Britain’s workplace is for everyone not just the privileged few.

“The consequences of continuing to do nothing will be damaging to the economy and to the aspirations of so many. So from the Cabinet table to the board rooms, there is no more time for excuses – just change.”

The Government has today also announced that a Business Diversity and Inclusion Group will be set up and chaired by Business Minister Margot James. It will bring together business leaders and organisations to coordinate action to remove barriers in the workplace and monitor employers’ progress.

The group will also bring together the leaders of three industry-led diversity reviews:

• Baroness McGregor-Smith

• Sir Philip Hampton and Dame Helen Alexander, who are leading a review aimed at increasing female leadership in FTSE companies

• Sir John Parker, who today concludes a consultation on recommendations to increase BME representation in the boardroom, to participate in the group

This highlights the importance government places on working with business to build an economy that works for everyone.

Business Minister Margot James said:

“It is very wrong that so many barriers lie in the way of people from ethnic minority backgrounds. Outdated attitudes or lack of awareness about ethnicity, in the workplace must be challenged.

“As this report shows, the economic benefit of harnessing untapped talent is huge and I urge employers to implement these recommendations to ensure everyone can reach the top of their career – whatever their background.

“I would like to thank Baroness McGregor-Smith for helping to shine a light on this important issue. We need to work together to build an inclusive culture in the workplace.”

The review found large employers like the NHS, KMPG and RBS have benefitted from increased innovation, more effective teamwork and a better understanding of customer demands by harnessing BME talent.

As part of the recommendations, Business in the Community (BITC) has agreed to publish an annual list of Best 100 Employers to celebrate success and highlight best practice.

Sandra Kerr, Race Equality Director at BITC, said:

“As this review clearly shows, harnessing the very best of BME talent is the only way forward that makes sense for employers. But this change has to be business led.

“The annual list of ‘Best 100 Employers for Race’ will showcase businesses at their best and spur other employers on to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace.”

Notes to editors

1. 14 per cent of the working age population come from BME background, which is expected to rise to 21 per cent by 2051.
2. The review also found 15.3 per cent of BME workers would like to work more hours compared to 11.5 per cent of white workers.
3. Almost 500 individuals and companies responded to Baroness McGregor-Smith’s call for evidence, including a host of FTSE 100 companies.
4. The Government has invited the following individuals and organisations to be founder members of the Business Diversity and Inclusion Group, which will meet quarterly:
   • Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith
   • Sir Philip Hampton and Dame Helen Alexander
   • Sir John Parker
   • Equalities Minister Caroline Dinenage
   • Confederation of British Industry
   • Institute of Directors
   • BITC
   • Financial Reporting Council
   • Equality and Human Rights Commission
5. Business in the Community offers businesses a number of practical ways tackle social and environmental issues in the workplace.
6. Anonymised case studies can be provided on request