Press release: PM call with French President-elect Macron: 7 May 2017

This evening the Prime Minister spoke to President-elect Macron to warmly congratulate him on his election victory. The Prime Minister said that she looked forward to working with the new president on a range of shared issues, with the UK and France’s unique partnership providing a strong foundation for future co-operation.

The leaders briefly discussed Brexit and the Prime Minister reiterated that the UK wants a strong partnership with a secure and prosperous EU once we leave.

The Prime Minister and President-elect Macron looked forward to meeting and holding discussions at the upcoming NATO and G7 summits.



Press release: Statement: French presidential election

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister warmly congratulates President-elect Macron on his election success. France is one of our closest allies and we look forward to working with the new President on a wide range of shared priorities.



Tories will let us down on immigration

The failure of the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd to answer simple questions on immigration today shows that the Tories are “completely at sea”, says John Bickley, the UKIP immigration spokesman.

Bickley who will be launching the UKIP immigration policy tomorrow attacked Rudd after she repeatedly failed to commit to the long standing Tory policy of tens of thousands net immigration figures per year.


Jeremy Hunt has admitted what patients know: Tory failure on the NHS is “not acceptable” – Ashworth

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to Jeremy Hunt’s interview on Marr, said:

“We’ve
now had an admission of failure straight from the horse’s mouth: the Tory-made
A&E crisis is simply “not acceptable.”

“Jeremy
Hunt this morning was forced to admit to the British public that the 4-hour
A&E target has not been hit in over two years. This shameful statistic is
symptomatic of the crisis that the Tories have left our NHS in. Britain cannot
afford another five years of Tory failure.

“Only
Labour will give the NHS the resources it needs to deliver the service patients
deserve.”

Ends



News story: Avian flu confirmed in a backyard flock near Thornton, Wyre, Lancashire

H5N8 avian flu has been confirmed in a backyard flock near Thornton, Wyre, Lancashire.

The UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed H5N8 avian flu in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks near Thornton, Wyre, Lancashire. A 3 km Protection Zone and a 10 km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading. We have published full details of the controls in place.

The flock contains nine birds. A number had died and the remaining live birds at the premises will be humanely culled. A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection.

Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.

Read the latest advice and information on avian flu in the UK, including actions to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, advice for anyone who keeps poultry or captive birds and details of previous cases. Journalists with queries should contact Defra press office.