The Prime Minister opened Cabinet with an update on parliamentary
business. The leaders of the House updated on the Great British
Energy Bill, helping to establish Great British Energy as part of
our clean energy superpower mission, which is expected to receive
Royal Assent later this week, and along with expected Royal
Assents of the Banking Resolution and Apprenticeship Bills would
take the total number of bills receiving Royal Assent to 19 since
the election.
He then turned to the economy and cost of living, pointing to the
fourth interest rate cut since the election, and its effect on
reducing mortgages, supported by the government's commitment to
economic stability and fiscal rules as part of our Plan for
Change.
He then updated on the conclusion of two significant trade deals
with India and the US last week which would benefit the economy,
jobs and help with the cost of living, and reflected the UK being
seen as a stable partner that is open for business. He said the
Indian Free Trade Agreement, which followed his talks with Prime
Minister Modi in Brazil last year, would add billions of pounds
to the UK economy, and that the US deal will protect thousands of
jobs across the country, including key sectors like automotives
and steel. He added that the government is continuing discussions
with the EU ahead of the Summit next week.
The Prime Minister also reflected on the poignant scenes during
the VE Day celebrations over the past week, and in particular the
procession in front of Buckingham Palace where His Majesty the
King took the salute from countries who had lost soldiers during
the war.
He added the fact that Ukraine replaced Russia in the procession
was a symbolic reminder that this was not just history, but that
we were currently facing an important moment for European
security and updated on his visit to Ukraine with other world
leaders. He said the meeting was an important signal of strength
and delivered progress on a ceasefire ahead of potential direct
talks between Ukraine and Russia this week. A ceasefire in
Ukraine would also bring domestic benefits to the UK economy and
cost of living pressures here at home.
The Prime Minister then asked the Home Secretary for an update on
the Immigration White Paper, published yesterday, saying that the
government has brought forward a plan that restored control and
fairness to our immigration system and a proper plan to link
domestic skills to migration.
The Home Secretary said that net migration had quadrupled in four
years under the previous government, and the plan would bring
order and control back to the system and get net migration down
with measures to raise skills thresholds, ensure employers are
properly investing in domestic workforces, raise the Immigration
Skills Charge, end the Social Care visa, raise English language
requirements, and put contribution at the heart of the system.
She said you can both recognise the contribution that migrants
have made to our economy, and that levels have been too high and
needs to be fair, controlled, and linked to a domestic skills
strategy.
