James Cleverly, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said:

Israel’s decision to advance the construction of 1,257 settlement buildings in the Givat HaMatos area of the occupied West Bank, would violate international law, and risks causing serious damage to the prospects for a viable Palestinian State.

We condemn this decision, which is incompatible with Israel’s declared goal of peace, and call for both the tender process and the advancement of other settlements in East Jerusalem and elsewhere in the West Bank to be suspended immediately.

The second meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Specialised Committee on implementation of the Protocol on Gibraltar was held today, co-chaired by officials from the UK Government and European Commission.

The Government of Gibraltar was represented by the Attorney General of Gibraltar.

The Committee was established by the Withdrawal Agreement to facilitate the application and implementation of the Protocol on Gibraltar.

The UK and EU exchanged updates on progress against the key elements of the Protocol: Citizens’ Rights, Environmental Matters, Police and Customs cooperation and Fiscal Matters.

Significant progress has been made throughout the year towards fulfilling the commitments outlined in the Protocol and the MOUs. Cooperation between UK Government / HM Government of Gibraltar and Spain has been fostered by regular meetings of the MOU coordinating committees. Common goals have been established, notably on citizens’ rights where considerable progress has been made towards fulfilling the provisions outlined in the Protocol.

The UK is committed to ensuring the implementation of the Protocol to provide continued security and prosperity to Gibraltar and the region.

Today’s discussions in no way affect UK sovereignty over Gibraltar, which remains unchanged.

In early November the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) welcomed broadcaster Forces News for an exclusive demonstration of its Hermes relocatable ground station and mission operations centre. Hermes represents the first time in nearly 20 years a UK government-owned and operated asset communicated with a satellite.

As the satellite passes over the ground station, the antenna locks on and the satellite transmits the data it collected during its journey around the Earth.

Hermes represents a significant investment in space R&D and increases the UK government’s space-related capabilities. Space technologies underpin our combat capabilities and can give the UK operational advantage over potential adversaries, for example with satellite imagery being used by frontline command.

The development and demonstration of Hermes occurred in collaboration with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, who provided control of a low-Earth orbit satellite, Carbonite-2, to Dstl for tasking validation and verification purposes.

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart has met more than 130 Welsh businesses to urge them to prepare for the end of the EU Transition period and to highlight the help available to them.

With less than 50 days to go until the end of the Transition Period, the UK Government in Wales is carrying out a series of events to communicate directly with Welsh businesses and representative groups on key Transition issues.

Forming part of the UK-wide Check, Change, Go campaign, the Welsh Secretary hosted a live virtual event on Thursday (12 November) and highlighted the need for preparedness by 31 December for any business which trades with the EU. He also pointed to UK Government support to help firms prepare.

The Welsh Secretary was joined by Liz Maher from South Wales Chambers of Commerce who chaired the discussion and an HMRC expert Claire Wilson who provided an overview of customs processes for importing/exporting from 1 January 2021, taking questions from the audience.

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said:

In less than seven weeks’ time it’s vital that Welsh business must be ready to move people, data, goods and services between the UK and the EU as smoothly as possible.

While negotiation with the EU are ongoing, it is a fact that the way companies do business with the EU will change so everyone needs to prepare if they have not done so already.

Sectors across Wales will feel the benefits of our new relationship with the EU but they have to act now to make critical changes in time and the UK Government with expert guidance stands ready to support them.

Jo Price, Director Director of International, South and Wales Chambers of Commerce:

The virtual discussion was a well timed event to outline the issues Welsh Businesses will face from 1st January 2021 and it is something we urge all SME’s to take an active part in preparing for. HMRC are very clear about a number of changes that businesses need make to ensure they continue to trade with the EU once the transition period ends. The message is “act now” and the Chambers of Commerce are fully geared up to help with the practicalities.

The UK is leaving the EU single market and customs union, and the end of the transition period will affect citizens, businesses, as well as travel to and from the EU

Businesses will need to take action now if they are: