Latest news with #KeirStarmer
Arab News
an hour ago
- Business
- Arab News
UK and Bahrain sign defense pact and £2bn investment deal
LONDON: Bahrain and the UK finalized two major agreements on Thursday during an official trip to London by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. During a visit to No. 10 Downing Street for talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the prince and his host oversaw the signing of a Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership, SIP2 for short, said to represent a renewed framework for two-way investment between their countries. The agreement will enable £2 billion ($2.7 billion) of investment by Bahrain's private sector in key UK sectors including financial services, technology, manufacturing and decarbonization, officials said. It was signed by Bahrain's finance minister, Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, and the British chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves. The second deal was a Defense Cooperation Accord which, according to officials, aims to enhance interoperability and joint training between the nations' armed forces, building on the foundations of an already strong naval partnership. It was signed by defense ministers, Lt. Gen. Abdullah Al-Nuaimi and John Healey. During his discussions with Starmer, Prince Salman reaffirmed the strength of relations between their countries, which he said continues to grow under the leaderships of King Hamad and King Charles, the Bahrain News Agency reported. The leaders reviewed progress on a proposed UK-Gulf Cooperation Council free trade agreement, and the crown prince welcomed the UK's decision to fully participate in the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement, following a joint invitation in December from founding signatories Bahrain and the US. Regional and wider international developments featured prominently in the discussions between Prince Salman and Starmer, who both expressed concern about the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. They agreed on the urgent need to deescalate the conflict, ease tensions and resume dialogue. They also reiterated previous calls for an immediate ceasefire agreement in Gaza, unimpeded humanitarian access to the territory, and the release of all hostages still held by Hamas. Starmer congratulated Bahrain on its recent election as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council for a two-year term beginning in January 2026, and both leaders agreed to work closely to bolster their diplomatic efforts in the run-up to that.
BBC News
an hour ago
- Business
- BBC News
Government pledges £900m for sports events & facilities
The government has pledged to spend £900m on major sporting events and grassroots facilities across the UK as part of a "transformational" than £0.5bn of the money will be used to support the delivery of "a pipeline of major international events", including Euro 2028, which will be hosted in the UK and 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham and the Grand Departs of the men's and women's Tour de France cycling races in 2027 will also those events had already received government backing, along with a proposed UK bid to host the women's football World Cup in 2035, which the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is continuing to work on with the home nations football the government is yet to decide whether to support London's bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, with more than 100 of Britain's most renowned athletes urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to do so earlier this Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "Sport tells our national story in a way few other things can – uniting communities, inspiring millions, and showcasing our nation on the global stage."This major backing for world-class events will drive economic growth across the country. Coupled with strong investment into grassroots sport, we're creating a complete pathway to allow the next generation of sporting heroes to train and take part in sport in communities across the UK. " In March, the former chair of funding agency UK Sport Dame Katherine Grainger told BBC Sport that it was "frustrating" that Britain was not staging more major events over the next decade, warning of "a big gap". Her successor Nick Webborn said: "We welcome the government's ongoing commitment to hosting the Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes and Euro 2028…and support their commitment to secure the pipeline of big events beyond 2028 to ensure we can continue to reach, inspire and unite people in every corner of the country."Britain is hosting the women's rugby union World Cup in England this year, along with the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but the government is not believed to be backing any bids for golf's Ryder Cup or Solheim part of the funding commitment, the DCMS says that a minimum of £400m will also be invested over the next four years into new and upgraded grassroots sports facilities "that promote health, wellbeing and community cohesion".On Thursday the government announced plans for a new School Sport Partnerships and Enrichment Framework for schools to ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality sport and extracurricular Oliver, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: "We are grateful to the government for listening and responding so comprehensively to our sector's united call for a reimagined approach to PE and school sport. This will be an amazing boost to those who work so tirelessly, often against the odds, in PE and school sport."Children's activity levels have been too low for too long. We welcome the government seeking to harness the vast potential of play and sport to change this."
The Sun
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Cheering on Lionesses at Euros ‘will help heal nation' says PM as he backs The Sun's grassroots football campaign
ENGLAND fans cheering on the Lionesses will help heal a divided nation this summer, Sir Keir Starmer hopes - as he backs The Sun's campaign to get kids into footie. He wished the squad good luck as they prepare to defend their title in the Euros next month in Switzerland. 6 6 6 Captain Leah Williamson handed the PM a shirt emblazoned with 'STARMER 10' at St George's Park. The PM said the Lionesses will help boost national pride after last summer was rocked by rioting. 'That's one of the amazing things about football,' he told The Sun. 'That sense of getting behind your country, being part of your country. 'It's a moment for the whole country to come together, but also for a legacy for the country.' He praised our Footie for All campaign helping to protect kids' clubs hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis. The drive, alongside Tesco, distributed 300k worth of grants to children's grassroots football. It was backed by England legends Millie Bright and Rachel Daly as well as Jarrod Bowen and Phil Foden. Sir Keir also revealed how his 14-year-old daughter had been inspired by the Lionesses. The PM said: 'I could see her getting drawn in because it was women's football, and she could relate to it in a different way.' It comes as ministers unveiled a major £900m fund to help grassroots sport and international events. It will mean more pitches, pools and changing rooms for villages and towns. Schools will also have to publish their sports clubs and activities for kids to shine a light on whether girls are getting the same access as boys. The PM praised the Lionesses for their campaign to get girls equal access to sport. And wished them good luck for the tournament: 'The whole country is behind you. 'Not only have you made history, but you have inspired the next generation to find a sport they love.' England and Wales face each other on July 13, at 8pm UK time, with both nations in Group D alongside France and the Netherlands. The Lionesses will face France on July 5 at 8pm, while Wales play the Netherlands at 5pm. On July 9, England will play the Netherlands at 5pm while Wales face France at 8pm. The semi-finals are set to take place on July 22 and 23 at 8pm UK time, with the final on July 27 at 5pm. The Lionesses made history when they beat old rivals Germany at a Wembley final 2-1 in 2022. PROUD OF BECKS Sir Keir congratulated David Beckham on his knighthood. The Prime Minister said he was really proud of the England legend - even though he didn't play for his beloved Arsenal. 'He's been an iconic footballer,' the PM told The Sun. 'Absolutely brilliant. 'Particularly in that England role, but also the other stuff that he's done since he's stopped playing football professionally." The footie legend, 50, became a 'Sir' in the King's Birthday Honours list. 6 6 6
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Labour whip resigns over proposed welfare cuts
In a letter informing the Prime Minister of her resignation, the MP for Lewisham North said she understood 'the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill' but did not believe the proposed cuts 'should be part of the solution'. She said: 'I have wrestled with whether I should resign or remain in the Government and fight for change from within. (1/2) With a heavy heart, I have written to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as a whip. Whilst I will continue to support the government in delivering the change the country so desperately needs, I cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits. — Vicky Foxcroft 💙 (@vickyfoxcroft) June 19, 2025 'Sadly it is now (sic) seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see. 'I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances.' Ms Foxcroft, who previously served as shadow minister for disabled people, is the first frontbencher to resign over the proposed benefit cuts, and the second to go over policy issues following Anneliese Dodds' decision to quit as development minister over cuts to the aid budget. Rebel Labour MPs welcomed her decision, with Hartlepool's Jonathan Brash saying he had the 'utmost respect' for her 'principled stand' and Crewe and Nantwich's Connor Naismith saying it 'must have been an incredibly difficult decision but she should be commended for standing by her principles'. Responding to Ms Foxcroft's resignation, a Government spokesperson said: 'This Labour Government was elected to deliver change. The broken welfare system we inherited is failing the sick and most vulnerable and holding too many young people back. It is fair and responsible to fix it. 'Our principled reforms will ensure those who can work should, that those who want to work are properly supported, and that those with most severe disabilities and health conditions are protected.' Sir Keir Starmer has faced a backlash from some Labour MPs over proposals to reform the welfare system expected to save up to £5 billion a year. Legislation introduced into Parliament on Wednesday includes a tightening of the criteria for the main disability payment in England, personal independence payment (Pip). Sir Keir Starmer has faced a backlash from some Labour MPs over proposals to reform the welfare system (PA) Ministers also want to cut the sickness related element of universal credit (UC), and delay access to it, so only those aged 22 and over can claim it. The package of reforms is aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work, but dozens of Labour rebels said last month that the proposals were 'impossible to support'. Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. The latest data, published on Tuesday, showed 3.7 million people in England and Wales claimed Pip, up from 2.05 million in 2019, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion of claimants. Around 800,000 people are set to lose out on the benefit under the Government's proposals, according to an impact assessment published alongside Wednesday's legislation. The impact assessment also confirmed a previous estimate that some 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, are likely to fall into relative poverty after housing costs in 2029/2030, although the Government repeated that this does not take into account the potentially positive impact of £1 billion annual funding by then for measures to support people into work. Changes to universal credit are expected to see an estimated 2.25 million current recipients of the health element impacted, with an average loss of £500 per year. But the Government said around 3.9 million households not on the UC health element are expected to have an average annual gain of £265 from the increase in the standard UC allowance. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the legislation 'marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity'. But Neil Duncan-Jordan, the Labour MP for Poole and one of the backbenchers opposed to the change, said the Government was 'rushing through' the changes and urged ministers to think again.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
If Donald Trump strikes Iran, Britain MUST back US and Israel to the hilt
NO ONE knows exactly how close Iran is to making a nuclear weapon. Not least because it has banned international inspectors from finding out. 2 But their intention is clear. Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country in the world to have enriched uranium at such high levels. Tehran's fanatical Islamists also want desperately to fire a nuke warhead at Israel and wipe it out. Donald Trump already offered Iran a way out — by giving up its nuclear programme. It responded with a bombing attack on an Israeli hospital. There is a powerful case for Trump to now order a bunker-buster bomb raid on Iran's underground network Not only could it destroy the mad mullahs' ambitions for a nuclear holocaust. It could also define his presidency. Strong intervention now will show other despots the US is back as a global deterrent force after Joe Biden 's humiliating Afghanistan withdrawal. So far, Sir Keir Starmer 's response has been insipid — trotting out the usual Foreign Office lines about the need for de-escalation. But if America strikes, Britain MUST back them and Israel to the hilt. Iran — with secret agents from its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps operating on our streets — is a threat to us, too. It's no surprise to learn that Attorney General Lord Hermer has warned Starmer that UK involvement 'could' be illegal. When it comes to national security, he has been on the wrong side of every argument so far. The Prime Minister needs to be crystal clear with Lord Hermer — and everybody else — that British interests lie with Israel and America. The stakes could not be higher. Paradise last SUCH is the new Europe-wide anti-immigration crackdown, Britain remains the last paradise for illegal migrants. Countries such as Denmark and Sweden are turning asylum-seekers away at the door. 2 Meanwhile, the UK escorts them across the Channel and puts them up indefinitely in hotels. If only we could follow Australia's example and cut numbers to next to nothing with a scheme to send migrants to a third country. Except we did have one. The Rwanda plan — spitefully scrapped by Labour — WAS working to deter migrants, who had started heading to Ireland instead. Australia's former foreign minister Alexander Downer, the architect of his country's successful scheme, calls that decision a 'tragedy' for Britain. We can only agree. One day, ministers will have to admit what a terrible mistake they made.
