The Prime Minister opened Cabinet by thanking colleagues for
their vital role in fixing the foundations during the
government's first year in office.
He highlighted the delivery of four million extra NHS
appointments; three trade deals; a pay rise for three million of
the lowest paid workers and five interest rate cuts. He said
35,000 people with no right to be in the UK had been removed. And
he pointed to a £10bn investment from Norway to build warships in
the UK - supporting 4,000 jobs, including 2,000 in
Scotland.
The Prime Minister emphasised this was just the start - all part
of phase one. Now he said phase two had begun - which would focus
on driving growth and delivery. He said the government would
demonstrate it could deliver higher living standards, so that
people actually feel better off; improvements to public services,
particularly the NHS; and security, both in terms of where people
live and securing our borders.
The Prime Minister reiterated the changes made to the No10
operation this week to deliver on that agenda, which will ensure
he has the strongest possible team on the pitch to deliver this
change. He said he and the Chancellor had spoken at length over
the summer about how these changes would bolster their joint
approach to the growth agenda, and ensure it is a key factor when
taking decisions.
The Leaders of the Commons and the Lords updated on business in
both Houses. This includes the culmination of flagship bills in
the term ahead including the Renters' Rights, Employment
Rights, Planning & Infrastructure and Borders bills.
Turning to illegal migration, the Prime Minister reiterated
that this was a central issue, and while significant work had
been done to disrupt the smuggling gangs to the highest level on
record, remove 35,000 people with no right to be here, and tackle
the backlog in the system that we inherited form the previous
government, we needed to go further and faster. He said it was
easy to understand the frustration people feel at the level of
illegal crossings and the sight of asylum hotels in their
communities, and that he would be chairing a ministerial meeting
later today to consider how we can go further and faster to
combat illegal crossings. This includes continuing
to work with the French authorities, cracking down on
pull factors and illegal working - including exploring
options around digital ID - accelerating the closure of
hotels and looking at better forms of accommodation, and
driving further progress returning people with no right to
be here. He reiterated that no one should be making these illegal
journeys or be accommodated in hotels, but the previous
government froze the system putting 100,000 people in limbo,
ramped up the use of hotels - and this government was taking
the steps to fix the mess.
The Prime Minister then turned to Ukraine, condemning the
barbaric assaults on Kyiv by Russia last week, and updated on his
meetings in Washington over the summer and with the Coalition of
the Willing.
Finally, the Prime Minister noted the unprecedented second State
Visit of US President Donald Trump later this month. He said the
visit reinforced the strength of the special relationship with
the US.
