The Prime Minister opened by highlighting the Cabinet's in-depth
discussion on housing last week and that we would be having
similar cross-cutting Cabinet discussions on delivering the Plan
for Change. He then raised the issue of child sexual
exploitation, reiterating that the government's approach would
focus on taking decisive action for victims. Finally, he
referenced the significant importance of the launch of the AI
Opportunities Action Plan announced yesterday, and the £14
billion of investment and 13,000 jobs that would support the
government's number one mission of growing the economy.
The Leaders of the Commons and Lords then provided an update on
business in the House. This included updates on the Renters'
Rights Bill – going through its remaining stages in the House of
Commons – which will limit the amount of rent payable at the
start of a tenancy, better protecting tenants, and the Football
Governance Bill, which reaches its final committee stage in the
Lords tomorrow.
The Prime Minister then moved on to the economy, reiterating that
growth must continue to be embedded and prioritised across all
policy-making, with a relentless focus on clearing any barriers
or blockages, and that this was underpinned by this government's
approach to deliver economic stability and deal with the
inheritance left by the last government.
The Chancellor then provided an update on the global and UK
economy, and her visit to China which secured new benefits for
the UK – for example moving in line with the United States on
banking licences where their approach to engage with China had
seen tangible benefits to US companies. She reiterated that the
government would continue to take an approach that was relentless
in supporting growth and cracking down on waste and inefficiency.
Discussions then turned to the US-UK relationship ahead of next
week's Presidential inauguration. The Prime Minister spoke of his
determination to pursue a partnership with the US for the 21st
century, which would protect security, advance our economic
growth and leverage the opportunity of new technologies. He
outlined engagement with the US transition team to date and said
the government's approach would be based on pragmatism led by the
national interest. The Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary and
Chancellor spoke about the huge opportunities to deepen the US-UK
relationship across defence, with 12,000 US troops stationed in
the UK and 1,000 UK troops in the US; further collaboration on
security and intelligence; building on our people-to-people ties,
with 2 million UK and US citizens living and working in each
other's countries; and trade and investment, to continue to
support growth with our single biggest trading partner.
