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China's delegate to the meeting, Vice Minister of Science and Technology Wu Zhaohui, was present on Thursday, his ministry said on Friday. The Chinese technology ministry declined to say why China did not agree to the proposal, which was about AI model testing. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chaired Thursday's meeting that comprised "a small group of like-minded senior representatives from governments around the world", Britain said, including the U.S. vice president and the EC president. Some British lawmakers had criticised China's participation in the inaugural AI summit. Sunak told reporters: "Some said we shouldn't even invite China, others said we would never get an agreement with them.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Kamala Harris, Rishi Sunak, Giorgia Meloni, Antonio Guterres, Yoshua Bengio, Mila, Microsoft Brad, Technology Wu Zhaohui, Wu, Oliver Dowden, Sunak, Paul Sandle, Brenda Goh, Alistair Smout, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Italy's, UN, Quebec AI Institute, Microsoft, Safety, Science, Technology, Bloomberg, U.S, European Union, Thomson Locations: British, SHANGHAI, LONDON, China, Britain, Beijing, Bletchley Park, England, United States, Bletchley, London, Shanghai

☆ British PM Sunak discusses free trade deal in call with India's Modi
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday agreed with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the importance of securing an "ambitious" trade deal, as talks continue over a deal which could be finalised this year. "The leaders discussed recent progress on Free Trade Agreement negotiations. They agreed on the importance of securing an ambitious deal that benefited both sides," a spokeswoman for Sunak's office said in a readout following the call with Modi. Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Narendra Modi, Modi, Alistair Smout, Alison Williams Organizations: British, Free, Thomson

☆ Britain Would Discuss Humanitarian Pause in Gaza but Not Ceasefire - PM's Spokesperson
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain would discuss a humanitarian pause in the conflict in Gaza to facilitate aid shipments, but does not want a wholesale ceasefire as that would only benefit Hamas militants, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said on Wednesday. Israel's military intensified its bombing of southern Gaza overnight, amid international calls for a pause in fighting to let aid into the Palestinian enclave and prevent many more deaths. "A wholesale ceasefire would only serve to benefit Hamas," Sunak's spokesperson said. "Humanitarian pauses - which are temporary, which are limited in scope - can be an operational tool, and obviously that is something we could consider, and have been discussing." "We don't agree with that characterisation that's been put forward," the spokesperson said of Guterres' remarks but did not not call on him to resign.

Persons: Rishi Sunak's, Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Andrew MacAskill, Alistair Smout, Sachin Ravikumar Organizations: U.N Locations: Britain, Gaza, Israel

☆ Missile fired from Gaza caused hospital blast, Britain's Sunak says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks to the media after landing at Ben Gurion international airport in Lod, Near Tel Aviv, Israel October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The explosion at a hospital in Gaza City was most likely caused by a missile fired from within Gaza, and not by a rocket from Israel, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Monday. "The British government judges that the explosion was likely caused by a missile, or part of one, that was launched from within Gaza towards Israel," Sunak told parliament. Palestinian officials said 471 people were killed in the blast at Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital on Tuesday. Gaza's health ministry blamed an Israeli air strike, while Israel said the blast was caused by a failed rocket launch by militants.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Ronen, Sunak, Israel, Alistair Smout, Farouq Suleiman, Paul Sandle Organizations: British, Ben, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Ben Gurion, Lod, Near Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza City, Gaza, British, Al, Ahli, Arabi, United States, France, Canada

☆ Moody's lifts UK's outlook to 'stable' on restoration of policy predictability
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 20 (Reuters) - Ratings agency Moody's revised Britain's outlook to "stable" from "negative" on Friday, saying policy predictability has been restored after heightened volatility last year around the so-called "mini-budget" under then-Prime Minister Liz Truss. Moody's last changed its outlook on Britain one year ago, when Truss had spooked markets with unfunded tax pledges, culminating in her resignation. "Policy predictability has been restored after heightened volatility last year around the mini-budget," the ratings agency said, affirming the country's rating at "Aa3". The government borrowed 81.7 billion pounds ($99.35 billion) in the first half of the 2023/24 financial year, 15.3 billion pounds more than between April and September 2022, but about 20 billion pounds less than the government forecast in March. On Friday S&P affirmed its AA rating and stable outlook for Britain.

Persons: Hollie Adams, Moody's, Liz Truss, Truss, Rishi Sunak, Jeremy Hunt, Hunt, Poor's, Aatrayee Chatterjee, David Milliken, Alistair Smout, Shailesh Kuber, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Monetary Fund, Britain's, Conservative Party, Britain, Thomson Locations: City, London, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ Israel's Netanyahu says Hamas attack was aimed at derailing peace
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Rami Amichai | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Netanyahu says Hamas attack aimed at derailing peace bidSunak welcomes aid decision for GazaSunak due to meet Saudi crown princeJERUSALEM, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday the Hamas attack on Israel was aimed at preventing the expansion of peace in the Middle East, and called on British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to keep supporting Israel's Gaza counteroffensive. Netanyahu said the attack from Gaza by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which killed 1,400 people in Israel, was aimed at derailing attempts to establish a wider peace in the region. At least nine British nationals have been killed and seven are still missing since the attack on Israel, Sunak's spokesperson said. In Israel, Sunak met the families of two of the missing, who are believed to have been taken hostage and held in Gaza. The last British prime minister to visit Israel and the occupied West Bank was David Cameron in 2014.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Netanyahu, Sunak, JERUSALEM, Rishi Sunak, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Isaac Herzog, Israel, Herzog, Sunak's, James, Sameh Shoukry, David Cameron, Rami Amichai, Kylie MacLellan, Sarah Young, William James, Alistair Smout, Sachin Ravikumar, Dan Williams, Elizabeth Piper, Angus MacSwan, Alison Williams, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Hamas, REUTERS, British, Israel, Crown, Palestinian, West Bank, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Saudi, Jerusalem, Saudi Arabia, U.S, British, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Britain, London, United States, North Africa, South Asia

Britain's Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer addresses the start of the National Annual Women's Conference, ahead of the start of Britain's Labour Party annual conference, in Liverpool, Britain, October 7, 2023. REUTERS/Phil Noble Acquire Licensing RightsLIVERPOOL, England, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Labour leader Keir Starmer will appeal directly to British voters on Tuesday, saying his revamped opposition party is best placed to boost economic growth and offer the country the hope that "things will be better for your children". Aides say Starmer knows he must try to convey a sense of reassurance that Labour can get to work on fixing a multitude of problems from poor public services to sluggish growth. "What is broken can be repaired, what is ruined can be rebuilt," he will tell hundreds of the party faithful at the conference in the northern English city of Liverpool. "We have to be a government that takes care of the big questions so working people have the freedom to enjoy what they love," he will say.

Persons: Keir Starmer, Phil Noble, Starmer, Jeremy Corbyn, Elizabeth Piper, Gareth Jones 私 Organizations: Britain's Labour, Britain's Labour Party, REUTERS, Rights, Labour, Health Service Locations: Liverpool, Britain, Rights LIVERPOOL, England, English, Scotland

☆ Britain's Sunak Says London 'Unequivocally' Stands With Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday Britain was standing with Israel "unequivocally" following the attacks by Hamas and that London was working to ensure the world speaks in one voice. "(Sunak) reaffirmed that the UK will stand with Israel unequivocally against these acts of terror. The prime minister offered Prime Minister Netanyahu any support Israel needs," Sunak's Downing Street office said in a statement following a phone call between the two leaders. Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the prime minister for the UK's support." Sunak urged all sides to show restraint while reiterating Britain's support for Israel.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Sunak, Briton, Alistair Smout, Elizabeth Piper Organizations: LIVERPOOL, British, Israeli, Sunday Britain, Israel Locations: England, London, Israel, Gaza

☆ Britain's Labour plans to 'rewire' the country, ease grid delays
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LIVERPOOL, England Oct 8 (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party on Sunday said it would speed up connections to the country's National Grid network as part of investment in clean energy infrastructure and to ease delays electricity companies face. Labour said that its plans "to rewire" Britain would remove barriers to connections and "facilitate the largest upgrade to national transmission infrastructure in a generation". "Labour will turbocharge our growth, get Britain building and unlock private sector investment by speeding up the grid." Labour said the plans would contribute to its overall target to cut 93 billion pounds from UK energy bills by 2030. Under the plans, GB Energy will also coordinate the launch of tenders for the supply chain that the revamped grid system will need.

Persons: Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak, Rachel Reeves, Alistair Smout, Barbara Lewis Organizations: LIVERPOOL, Labour Party, Labour, GB Energy, Conservative, Energy, Thomson Locations: England, Liverpool, Britain

☆ Britain's Labour Party hails 'seismic' win in Scottish vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Alistair Smout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

People in Rutherglen and Hamilton West have sent a clear message – it is time for change. And it is clear they believe that this changed Labour Party can deliver it," Labour leader Keir Starmer said in a statement. John Curtice, Britain's most prominent pollster, said it was a "remarkable result" for the Labour party, which comes on the eve of its annual conference next week. "This is the kind of result that suggests that the Labour Party is potentially capable of winning seats again in Scotland," he told BBC News. "However, we will reflect on what we have to do to regain the trust of the people of Rutherglen & Hamilton West."

Persons: Rishi, Hamilton West, Keir Starmer, Margaret Ferrier, Michael Shanks, Katy Loudon, John Curtice, Ferrier, Humza Yousaf, Yousaf, Nicola Sturgeon, Alistair Smout, Jamie Freed, Michael Perry 私 Organizations: Labour, LONDON, Labour Party, Scottish Nationalist Party, Conservative Party, Hamilton, Hamilton West, BBC News, Scottish, COVID, Rutherglen & Hamilton, Rutherglen Locations: Scotland, Rutherglen, Glasgow, London's, Britain's, United Kingdom

And if you do, you should stand with me," Sunak said, referring to what he described as 30 years of political short-termism. "It may be helpful, but it won't be sufficient" to help them win the next election. Chris Hopkins, political research director at the polling firm Savanta, said he could not see how Sunak could win. Cabinet ministers have given speeches to sparsely populated rooms and some party members have openly talked what they may do in opposition. Writing by Elizabeth Piper; editing by Kate Holton and Philippa FletcherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Goldman Sachs, Andy Street, Suella Braverman, pollsters, John Curtice, Chris Hopkins, Savanta, Liz Truss, Nigel Farage, Steve Tuckwell, Elizabeth Piper, Kate Holton, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Conservative, Conservatives, Labour, University of Strathclyde, European Union, Republican Party, London's Labour, Thomson Locations: MANCHESTER, England, Manchester, British, Birmingham, West Midlands, United States

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 3: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tours the Exhibitor's Hall on Day 3 of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Britain, October 3, 2023. We've had 30 years of a political system which incentivises the easy decision, not the right one. Thirty years of vested interests standing in the way of change," he will say, according to excerpts of his speech. "Our political system is too focused on short-term advantage, not long-term success ... Our mission is to fundamentally change our country." "The Labour party have set out their stall: to do and say as little as possible and hope no one notices.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Carl Court, Sunak, Grant Shapps, we've, We've, Jeremy Hunt, Keir Starmer, Elizabeth Piper, Andrew MacAskill, Alistair Smout, William Maclean, Robert Birsel Organizations: British, Conservative Party Conference, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Conservative, Labour Party, Times, Euston, Labour, Thomson Locations: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, Manchester, Britain, Rights MANCHESTER, England, English, London

MANCHESTER, England, Oct 2 (Reuters) - British finance minister Jeremy Hunt poured cold water on growing calls for tax cuts within the governing Conservative Party on Monday, saying he could not commit to any "inflationary" reduction before the next election. But his message was overshadowed by calls from senior Conservative lawmakers, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's predecessor, for tax cuts to try to close the gap in opinion polls with the opposition Labour Party before an election expected next year. He said any tax cuts this year would be inflationary, making it more difficult to achieve Sunak's pledge made in January to halve inflation by the end of the year. Yes, but it means difficult decisions and we're prepared to take those difficult decisions," Hunt told Sky News, adding that voters understood "how difficult these decisions are". "So ahead of this year's Autumn Statement, we must make the Conservative Party the party of business once again, by getting Corporation Tax back down to 19%.

Persons: Jeremy Hunt, Hunt, Rishi Sunak's, Sunak, we're, Liz Truss, Alistair Smout, Elizabeth Piper, Andrew MacAskill, Kylie MacLellan, Sachin Ravikumar, Sarah Young, Emelia Sithole, Catherine Evans Organizations: Conservative Party, Conservative, Labour Party, Times, Sky News, Labour, Corporation, Tax, Thomson Locations: MANCHESTER, England, British, Manchester

☆ Britain's finance minister to announce higher minimum wage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANCHESTER, England, Oct 1 (Reuters) - British finance minister Jeremy Hunt on Monday will announce a rise in the minimum wage in his annual Conservative party conference speech, where he is expected to ignore a growing clamour for tax cuts within his party. On Monday Hunt will announce that the living wage, the minimum wage for workers over 23 years old, will rise to at least 11 pounds ($13.42) an hour from 10.42 pounds. Prior to Hunt's speech, former Prime Minister Liz Truss will put pressure on the government to lower taxes in her only expected intervention at this year's conference. A year ago as prime minister, she had to scale back her tax-cutting plans in a U-turn at conference, and the market turmoil she sparked forced her resignation in October. However, since then she has stuck to her message that lower tax, especially for businesses, is part of what Britain needs to spark growth.

Persons: Jeremy Hunt, Jessica Taylor, Handout, Michael Gove, Hunt, Rishi Sunak's, Liz Truss, Alistair Smout, Elizabeth Piper, Andrew MacAskill, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Conservative, Bank of England, Low, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Rights MANCHESTER, England, British

☆ UK PM Sunak says we are making "good progress" on bringing down inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MANCHESTER, England, Oct 1 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday that the government is making "good progress" on bringing down inflation as he laid out his priorities at the start of the governing Conservatives' annual conference. Britain's inflation rate is forecast to fall to about 5% by the end of the year - half January's level - and meeting the target would mean Sunak would meet one of the five key pledges he set out at the start of the year. "Inflation is making people feel poorer, the quicker we bring inflation down the better it is, and that is why it is the right priority, and we are making good progress," Sunak told the BBC. Reporting by Elizabeth Piper, writing by Andrew MacAskill, Editing by Alistair SmoutOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Elizabeth Piper, Andrew MacAskill, Alistair Smout Organizations: British, Conservatives, BBC, Thomson Locations: MANCHESTER, England

"The discussion about where the tax burden should fall I think is one that we need to take, not now, but in a little bit (of) time," Gove told Sky News. "I would like to see the tax burden reduced before the next election," he said, adding that workers should be the focus of any such reductions. "Rishi Sunak is desperate for people to think he’s in charge," said Jon Ashworth, a member of leader Keir Starmer's team. Liz Truss, Sunak's predecessor, and other senior Conservative lawmakers signed a letter on Saturday saying they would not support "any new taxes that increase the overall tax burden". "We're not in a position to talk about tax cuts at all."

Persons: Michael Gove, Phil Noble, Gove, Sunak, Rishi Sunak, Opinium, Labour's, Jon Ashworth, Keir Starmer's, Liz Truss, Jeremy Hunt, We're, Elizabeth Piper, Alistair Smout, Andrew MacAskill, Kirsten Donovan, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Britain’s, REUTERS, Conservatives, Labour Party, Sky News, Conservative, Labour, for Fiscal Studies, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, MANCHESTER, England

☆ Britain signs state-level trade accord with Washington
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Britain had hoped for a sweeping bilateral trade deal with the United States after splitting from the European Union, but with President Joe Biden putting all talks on free trade agreements on hold, the British government has pursued state-level agreements instead. The British trade ministry said aerospace would be a priority sector under the Washington MoU, with Boeing (BA.N) being based in the state. The MoU with Washington is the sixth such agreement with a U.S. state. Washington state is also the home of Amazon (AMZN.O), Starbucks (SBUX.O) and Microsoft (MSFT.O), and is the state with the 11th highest gross domestic product (GDP). The six U.S. states covered by MoUs with Britain have a combined GDP of over 2 trillion pounds ($2.4 trillion), Britain said.

Persons: Nusrat Ghani, Kirsty Wigglesworth, Britain, Joe Biden, Ghani, Alistair Smout, William James Our Organizations: Britain's, State Department for Business, Conference, U.S, European Union, Boeing, Starbucks, Microsoft, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, London, Britain, U.S ., Washington, Florida , Texas, California, United States, British, U.S

The UK goal was ahead of the 2035 ban in the European Union, where most British-made cars are sold. "The timing sends the message that things can change again, making it difficult for companies to manage their investment strategies." Under the new mandate that the government could make public as early as this week, the 80% 2030 electric target should remain - with the other 20% a mixture of fossil fuel models and hybrids until 2035. "In Britain, there's no industrial strategy, no intent for industrial strategy and no desire for an industrial strategy," Palmer said. "The UK (fossil fuel ban) delay is not a good sign in terms of stability, but they have realigned with EU regulation," said Denis Schemoul, director of European vehicle forecasting at S&P Global Mobility.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Christopher Furlong, Boris Johnson, Sunak, it's, Philip Nothard, ZEV, Andy Leyland, Adrian Keen, Keen, Andy Palmer, Aston Martin, Palmer, Denis Schemoul, Nick Carey, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Britain's, Rover, Industry, Union, EV, European Union, Cox Automotive, Volvo, Ford, EU, P Global Mobility, Thomson Locations: Warwick , England, British, Britain, EVs, Europe, Spain

☆ UK minister rejects Microsoft criticism of decision to block Activision deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard's games characters in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - British business minister Kemi Badenoch said on Tuesday she did not agree with Microsoft (MSFT.O) President Brad Smith that the Competition and Market Authority's initial decision to block its purchase of videogame maker Activision was bad for Britain. "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O) has since said it will sell its streaming rights in a fresh attempt to win approval from Britain's anti-trust regulator, the CMA, for its $69 billion sale to Microsoft. "If the CMA is doing something wrong, I think that will become evident through a pattern which is not yet the case." Reporting by Alistair Smout and Muvija M; Editing by Sachin RavikumarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Kemi Badenoch, Brad Smith, Badenoch, Alistair Smout, Sachin Ravikumar Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, REUTERS, Britain, CMA, Thomson Locations: United States

REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS/LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Britain, France and Germany said on Thursday they would retain ballistic missile and nuclear proliferation-related sanctions on Iran that were set to expire in October under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a step that could provoke Iranian retaliation. The JCPoA agreed with Iran in 2015 envisaged a "Transition Day" eight years later, when remaining ballistic missile and nuclear-related sanctions on Iran would be lifted. But Britain, France and Germany will now transfer UN sanctions on Iran that are due to be lifted next month into domestic law, while Britain and the EU will retain existing sanctions, Britain's Foreign office said in a statement. The crux of the JCPoA pact, which Iran made with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.S., limited Tehran’s nuclear programme making it harder for it to get fissile material for a bomb in return for relief from economic sanctions. We stand ready to reverse our decision, should Iran fully implement its JCPoA commitments," the E3 said, referring to a mechanism that would immediately restore all UN sanctions against Iran.

Persons: Leonhard Foeger, Josep Borrell, Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s, Sachin Ravikumar, Parisa, David Holmes, Timothy Gardner Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, REUTERS, Reuters, EU, Iran, Thomson Locations: Vienna, Austria, Britain, France, Germany, Iran, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Russia, Tehran, United States, China, U.S, Dubai

☆ Britain's Labour party would repeal strike laws in first 100 days in power
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party would repeal recently-introduced legislation that limits workers' rights to strike if it wins an election expected next year, deputy leader Angela Rayner said on Tuesday, pledging to enhance employee protection. Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said the new legislation was a "spiteful and bitter attack" on trade unions. "The next Labour Government will ask Parliament to repeal these anti-trade union laws within our first 100 days," she said in a speech at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) annual conference in Liverpool. She said that Labour would also bring forward an Employment Rights Bill in its first 100 days in office. Labour has said that such a bill will legislate for fairer pay, strengthen rights and protections for workers and bolster trade unions' rights.

Persons: Angela Rayner, Alistair Smout, William James Our Organizations: Labour Party, Conservative, Labour Government, Trades Union Congress, TUC, Labour, Thomson Locations: Liverpool

☆ Britain may designate genomics sector as critical infrastructure
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Alistair Smout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden speaks during the Prime Minister's Questions at the House of Commons in London, Britain, July 12, 2023. UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Britain is exploring designating its genomics sector as critical national infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said on Monday, amid pressure from lawmakers concerned at China's activity in the field. Asked by one of those lawmakers if Britain would designate the genomics sector as critical national infrastructure, Dowden said it was a legitimate point which he was considering. "It's not currently designated as such, but in my role in the cabinet office, I keep the register of critical national infrastructure under review, and it's something which I am exploring," he told lawmakers. Critical national infrastructure (CNI) is infrastructure that, if compromised, could have a major detrimental impact on essential services or a significant impact on national security.

Persons: Oliver Dowden, Jessica Taylor, Handout, Dowden, It's, Alistair Smout, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Reuters, National Security and Investment, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

☆ UK man, accused of spying for China in parliament, says he's innocent
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] An Uber riverboat sails on the River Thames, with the Houses of Parliament seen behind in London, Britain, May 17, 2023. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and the parliamentary speaker were due to raise the case, after several lawmakers called for not only an explanation but also tighter vetting procedures for those working in the House of Commons. The Sunday Times reported one of those arrested was a researcher in the British parliament. His alleged spying in parliament was raised by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit in India on Sunday. "I think that's the central question that needs to be answered by the prime minister today."

Persons: Toby Melville, Oliver Dowden, Rishi Sunak, Premier Li Qiang, Birnberg Peirce, James, Sunak, Keir Starmer, Elizabeth Piper, Alistair Smout, Kylie MacLellan, Sachin Ravikumar, Christina Fincher, Peter Graff Organizations: REUTERS, London's Metropolitan Police, Sunday Times, Times, British, Premier, Chinese Communist Party, Labour, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, China, London's, India, Beijing

☆ British police charge recaptured terrorism suspect with unlawful escape
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A general view of Wandsworth prison, where Daniel Abed Khalife, a former soldier who is suspected of terrorism offences, escaped, in London, Britain, September 7, 2023. Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, who worked in the kitchen of Wandsworth prison, slipped out on Monday morning by strapping himself to the underside of a food delivery truck, authorities say. "Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 11 September." Khalife, who was discharged from the British army in May, was charged with escaping "contrary to common law" while being remanded in custody. He had been held pending trial on offences relating to terrorism and the Official Secrets Act.

Persons: Daniel Abed Khalife, Anna Gordon, strapping, Khalife, Alistair Smout, Peter Graff Organizations: REUTERS, British, Metropolitan Police, ’, BBC, Thomson Locations: Wandsworth, London, Britain, HMP Wandsworth, Westminster, England, Iran

☆ UK PM Sunak faces new vote to fill seat after lawmaker accused of groping resigns
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces another difficult vote to fill a vacant seat in parliament after a lawmaker who was given an eight-week suspension for groping two men at a London club last year announced he plans to resign. Johnson's initial perceived downplaying of the allegations added to pressure that ultimately led to Johnson's resignation as prime minister. But he lost that appeal on Monday and faced removal by his constituents due to the length of the suspension. The vote to replace him is held on the same day as a by-election to replace former culture minister and Sunak critic Nadine Dorries. Reporting by Muvija M, Alistair Smout and Andrew MacAskill; editing by William JamesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Chris Pincher, Boris Johnson, Pincher, Nadine Dorries, energise, Sunak, Muvija M, Alistair Smout, Andrew MacAskill, William James Our Organizations: British, London, Conservative Party, Conservatives, Labour Party, Thomson

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