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From: Greg Hands MP news@greghands.

com
Subject: News Bulletin from Greg Hands MP #467
Date: 7 October 2016 at 16:20
To: news@greghands.com

Issue 467 -Friday 7th October 2016

In this edition:
Greg Hands MPs Diary

Since the last edition, Greg:

Website of the Week:


The Department for
International Trade

Been a guest on the BBCs Sunday Politics Show, discussing


proposed new constituency boundaries, the future of the
Liberal Democrats, airport expansion, and more. For more, see
below.
Received an update on Chelsea Football Clubs proposed
redevelopment of Stamford Bridge Stadium. For more, see
below.
Attended Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.
Continued drawing attention to the litter and fly-tipping crisis
in Labour-run Hammersmith & Fulham. #HandFLitterCrisis.
Attended discussions on the Boundary Commissions
proposals for new constituency boundaries in England. To view
the
proposals
and
to
have
your
say,
visit
https://www.bce2018.org.uk.
Attended the Fulham Broadway Ward Conservatives wine
tasting event at Vagabonds, Vanston Place.
Attended a wide-ranging talk by Hugo Swire MP given to the
Conservatives in Chelsea.
Attended a half day offsite with the Royal Borough of
Kensington & Chelseas Conservative Councillors to
discuss major Council issues in the year ahead.
Welcomed Year 12 students from Lady Margaret School,
Parsons Green, to the Palace of Westminster for a question
and answer session and a tour of Parliament.
Joined James Cracknell and Mary Macleod in speaking to the
Chiswick Business Forum about the rle of the new
Department for International Trade.
Visited the Ruhr region in Germany as Minister of State for
Trade and Investment to meet key German corporates with UK
operations, including life sciences firm Bayer.
Greg also attended the 110th anniversary of the Swedish
Chamber of Commerce in London.
Delivered a speech in Essen, Germany, to the Konigswinter
Conference on Britain after Brexit.
As Minister of State for Trade and Investment welcomed the
Head of the Taiwan Representative Office, Dr David Lin, to
the Department of International Trade, ahead of Gregs visit to
Taipei.
Visited Taiwan in his role as Minister of State for Trade and
Investment. For more, see below. Gregs visit involved meeting
UK & Taiwanese businesses and the administration in Taipei,
including President Tsai Ing-wen and Deputy Foreign Minister
Francois Chih-Chung, and delivered a speech at the Chengchi
University, Taipei.
Visited South Korea as Trade Minister. In Seoul Greg had
meetings with Samsung, a large investor in the UK, and with
whom Greg is the UK Governments Senior Relationship
Manager.
Welcomed Panamas Luis Miguel Hincapie, Vice Minister of
Foreign Affairs, to the Department for International Trade to
discuss deepening and widening bilateral trade.
Met the German Ambassador, Peter Ammon, for discussions
about UK Germany relations.
Held a constituency surgery in Fulham, kindly hosted by
MetroBank.
To
book
an
appointment,
email
mail@greghands.com or telephone 020 7219 5448.
Held a meeting with Her Majestys Ambassador to Sweden,
David Cairns, to discuss the strong and important trade ties
between the UK and Sweden as well as the Nordic and Baltic
areas.

Hands in the media:


BBC Sunday Politics
Photo news:
President Tsai of Taiwan
Greg Hands welcomes
record number of people in
work
Photo news:
Lady Margaret Sixth
Formers visit Parliament
Greg Hands encourages
Local Residents to have
their say on Stamford
Bridge Redevelopment
Photo news:
Samsung Construction &
Trading, Seoul
The Prime Minister's Party
Conference Speech on
'Britain after Brexit'
Photo news:
Chelsea & Fulham at
Conservative Party
Conference
Fulham in the papers:
Call for action over 'money
box' junction after council
pockets millions
Photo news:
Bayer AG, Germany
Royal Borough traffic
accidents and injuries at
lowest levels for 25 years
Photo news:
Hands in the Taiwan press
Pay less for your gas and
electricity in Kensington &
Chelsea
Photo news:
Department for
International Trade
Hands in the papers:
Britain's place in the world
of investment
7 ways to contact
Greg Hands

Website of the Week:

www.trade.gov.uk

The website of the Department for International Trade, where


Greg is Minister of State for Trade & Investment.

Hands in the media:

BBC Sunday Politics


Click on the image above to watch Greg Hands on the BBC


Sunday Politics. The London section starts at 40.57.

Photo news:

President Tsai of Taiwan

Greg Hands MP in conversation with Taiwans President Tsai, in


Taipei.

Greg Hands welcomes record number of


people in work

Chelsea & Fulham MP Greg Hands today welcomed the news that the
number of people in work across the UK is at a record high level. The
rate of women in work is at the highest level since comparable records
began. There are 696,811 more people back in work in London since
2010.
In Chelsea & Fulham, the number of people claiming the key out of
work benefits has fallen by 840 - a 45 per cent drop since 2010.
As well as employment continuing at a record-high, todays figures
show that the unemployment rate is holding steady, average wages
are growing ahead of inflation and the number of children living in
workless households is down.
Greg Hands MP said: "Today sees another set of record-breaking
figures, with the rate of women in work at the highest since records
began and the number of young people out of work down by hundreds
of thousands.
"The number of people in Chelsea & Fulham relying on the key out of
work benefits has fallen by 840 since 2010 a 45 per cent drop as
businesses are able to get more people into work, helped by the
decisions the Conservatives have taken to strengthen our economy.
"But we know that there is more to do to build an economy that works
for everyone, and we will continue to work hard to help even more
people benefit from the opportunities in our economy."

Photo news:

Lady Margaret Sixth Formers visit


Parliament

Greg Hands MP welcoming Lower Sixth Formers from Lady


Margaret School to Parliament to hear about Gregs work and
answer questions.

Greg Hands encourages Local Residents to


have their say on Stamford Bridge
Redevelopment
Following the start of the second stage of the public consultation on
Chelsea Football Clubs planning application to redevelop Stamford
Bridge Stadium, Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham, Greg
Hands, encourages local residents and stakeholders to continue
engaging with Hammersmith & Fulham Council and with the Club to
make sure that their views are taken into consideration.
Chelsea Football Club plans to redevelop the entire Stamford Bridge
Stadium site, replacing the current 41,000-seater stadium with a new
60,000-seater stadium. Greg Hands, is continuing to engage with the
Club and with local residents, Councillors, and stakeholders as the
planning application proceeds into its next stage. This second stage of
the consultation will come to an end on Friday, 7 October. However,
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has reiterated that it will try to
consider representations received after the consultation period has
ended, provided that they are received before a decision has been
issued.
Earlier this week, Greg received a full response from Chelsea Football
Club to the submission that he made to the first public consultation in
January this year. Speaking after receiving the Clubs response to his
submission, Greg Hands said: I made my submission to the first
public consultation on Chelsea FCs proposed redevelopment of
Stamford Bridge Stadium back in January this year, representing the
concerns expressed to me by local residents and stakeholders. I am
grateful to the Club for the time and effort that they have spent in
responding to these concerns.
I am proud to support Chelsea FC staying in my constituency. The
Club recognises that this redevelopment will have a considerable
impact both on those in the locality and those in the wider community,
and they seem to be making strong gestures towards mitigating the
impact where possible.
Nevertheless, local residents have the right to make their voices
heard, and I am keen to hear their opinions on these revised
proposals.
Hammersmith & Fulham Councils statement on Chelsea FCs
proposals can be found here and you can make your views heard
here, remembering to quote the application reference number
2015/05050/FUL.

Photo news:

Samsung Construction & Trading, Seoul

Greg Hands MP with leading executives from Samsung


Construction & trading in Seoul.

The Prime Minister's Party Conference


Speech on 'Britain after Brexit'
81 days ago, I stood in front of Ten Downing Street for the first time as
Prime Minister, and I made a promise to the country.
I said that the Government I lead will be driven not by the interests of
a privileged few, but by the interests of ordinary, working-class
families. People who have a job, but dont always have job security.
People who own their own home, but worry about paying the
mortgage. People who can just about manage, but worry about the
cost of living and getting their kids into a good school. And this week,
were going to show the country that we mean business.
But first, today, were going to talk about Global Britain, our ambitious
vision for Britain after Brexit. Because 100 days ago, that is what the
country voted for. Were going to talk about Britain in which we are
close friends, allies and trading partners with our European
neighbours.
But a Britain in which we pass our own laws and govern ourselves. In
which we look beyond our continent and to the opportunities in the
wider world. In which we win trade agreements with old friends and
new partners. In which Britain is always the most passionate, most
consistent, most convincing advocate for free trade. In which we play
our full part in promoting peace and prosperity around the world. And
in which we with our brilliant armed forces and intelligence services
protect our national interests, our national security, and the security
of our allies.
So today were going to be hearing from David Davis, Priti Patel and
Boris Johnson as we start to explain our plan for Brexit. And the
country will see that the Conservative Party is united in our
determination to deliver that plan.
Because even now, some politicians democratically-elected
politicians say that the referendum isnt valid, that we need to have a
second vote.
Others say they dont like the result, and theyll challenge any attempt
to leave the European Union through the courts.
But come on. The referendum result was clear. It was legitimate. It
was the biggest vote for change this country has ever known. Brexit
means Brexit and were going to make a success of it.
Now of course, we wouldnt have had a referendum at all had it not
been for the Conservative Party and had it not been for David
Cameron. And I want to take a moment to pay tribute to David.
I served in his Shadow Cabinet for nearly five years, and in his
Cabinet for six more. I saw first-hand his commitment to public
service, to social justice, and his deep love for our country. He led the
rescue mission that brought confidence back to the British economy.
He made sure that people on the lowest wages paid no income tax at
all. And he won the right for two people who love one another
regardless of their sexuality to marry. He has a legacy of which he
and our whole Party can be proud. And to those who claim he was
mistaken in calling the referendum, we know there is no finer accolade
than to say David Cameron put his trust in the British people.
And trust the people we will. Because Britain is going to leave the
European Union.
Now I know there is a lot of speculation about what that is going to
mean, about the nature of our relationship with Europe in future, and
about the terms on which British and European businesses will trade
with one another. I understand that. And we will give clarity as we
did with farm payments and university funding whenever possible
and as quickly as possible.
But we will not be able to give a running commentary or a blow-byblow account of the negotiations. Because we all know that isnt how
they work. But history is littered with negotiations that failed when the
interlocutors predicted the outcome in detail and in advance.
Every stray word and every hyped up media report is going to make it
harder for us to get the right deal for Britain. So we have to stay
patient. But when there are things to say as there are today we will
keep the public informed and up to date.
So I want to use today to tell you more about the Governments plan
for Brexit, and in particular I want to tell you about three important
things. The timing, the process and the Governments vision for
Britain after Brexit.
First, everything we do as we leave the EU will be consistent with the
law and our treaty obligations, and we must give as much certainty as
possible to employers and investors. That means there can be no
sudden and unilateral withdrawal: we must leave in the way agreed in
law by Britain and other member states, and that means invoking
Article Fifty of the Lisbon Treaty.
There was a good reason why I said immediately after the
referendum that we should not invoke Article Fifty before the end of
this year. That decision means we have the time to develop our
negotiating strategy and avoid setting the clock ticking until our
objectives are clear and agreed. And it has also meant that we have
given some certainty to businesses and investors. Consumer
confidence has remained steady. Foreign investment in Britain has
continued. Employment is at a record high, and wages are on the up.
There is still some uncertainty, but the sky has not fallen in, as some
predicted it would: our economy remains strong.
So it was right to wait before triggering Article Fifty. But it is also right
that we should not let things drag on too long. Having voted to leave, I
know that the public will soon expect to see, on the horizon, the point
at which Britain does formally leave the European Union. So let me be
absolutely clear. There will be no unnecessary delays in invoking
Article Fifty. We will invoke it when we are ready. And we will be ready
soon. We will invoke Article Fifty no later than the end of March next
year.
Now I want to tell you a little more about the process for triggering
Article Fifty.
The first thing to say is that it is not up to the House of Commons to
invoke Article Fifty, and it is not up to the House of Lords. It is up to the
Government to trigger Article Fifty and the Government alone.
When it legislated to establish the referendum, Parliament put the
decision to leave or remain inside the EU in the hands of the people.
And the people gave their answer with emphatic clarity. So now it is up
to the Government not to question, quibble or backslide on what we
have been instructed to do, but to get on with the job.
Because those people who argue that Article Fifty can only be
triggered after agreement in both Houses of Parliament are not
standing up for democracy, theyre trying to subvert it. Theyre not
trying to get Brexit right, theyre trying to kill it by delaying it. They are
insulting the intelligence of the British people. That is why, next week, I
can tell you that the Attorney General himself, Jeremy Wright, will act
for the Government and resist them in the courts.
Likewise, the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the
European Union are the responsibility of the Government and nobody
else. I have already said that we will consult and work with the
devolved administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,
because we want Brexit to work in the interests of the whole country.
And we will do the same with business and municipal leaders across
the land.
But the job of negotiating our new relationship is the job of the
Government. Because we voted in the referendum as one United
Kingdom, we will negotiate as one United Kingdom, and we will leave
the European Union as one United Kingdom. There is no opt-out from
Brexit. And I will never allow divisive nationalists to undermine the
precious Union between the four nations of our United Kingdom.
The final thing I want to say about the process of withdrawal is the
most important. And that is that we will soon put before Parliament a
Great Repeal Bill, which will remove from the statute book once and
for all the European Communities Act.
This historic Bill which will be included in the next Queens Speech
will mean that the 1972 Act, the legislation that gives direct effect to all
EU law in Britain, will no longer apply from the date upon which we
formally leave the European Union. And its effect will be clear. Our
laws will be made not in Brussels but in Westminster. The judges
interpreting those laws will sit not in Luxembourg but in courts in this
country. The authority of EU law in Britain will end.
As we repeal the European Communities Act, we will convert the
acquis that is, the body of existing EU law into British law. When
the Great Repeal Bill is given Royal Assent, Parliament will be free
subject to international agreements and treaties with other countries
and the EU on matters such as trade to amend, repeal and improve
any law it chooses. But by converting the acquis into British law, we
will give businesses and workers maximum certainty as we leave the
European Union. The same rules and laws will apply to them after
Brexit as they did before. Any changes in the law will have to be
subject to full scrutiny and proper Parliamentary debate. And let me be
absolutely clear: existing workers legal rights will continue to be
guaranteed in law and they will be guaranteed as long as I am Prime
Minister.
And in fact, as we announced yesterday, under this Government,
were going see workers rights not eroded, and not just protected, but
enhanced under this Government. Because the Conservative Party is
the true workers party, the only party dedicated to making Britain a
country that works, not just for the privileged few, but for every single
one of us.
So that is what I want to say about the process. But I want to talk to
you about the Governments vision of Britain after Brexit, our vision of
a truly Global Britain. And I want to start with our vision for the future
relationship we will have with the European Union.
Because, in this respect, I believe there is a lot of muddled thinking
and several arguments about the future that need to be laid to rest.
For example, there is no such thing as a choice between soft Brexit
and hard Brexit. This line of argument in which soft Brexit
amounts to some form of continued EU membership and hard Brexit
is a conscious decision to reject trade with Europe is simply a false
dichotomy. And it is one that is too often propagated by people who, I
am afraid to say, have still not accepted the result of the referendum.
Because the truth is that too many people are letting their thinking
about our future relationship with the EU be defined by the way the
relationship has worked in the past. That is understandable. We have
been members of the EU for more than forty years. We have just been
through a renegotiation, during which we remained members of the
EU and the Government sought to keep us members of the EU.
But what we are now talking about is very different. Whether people
like it or not, the country voted to leave the EU. And that means we
are going to leave the EU. We are going to be a fully-independent,
sovereign country, a country that is no longer part of a political union
with supranational institutions that can override national parliaments
and courts. And that means we are going, once more, to have the
freedom to make our own decisions on a whole host of different
matters, from how we label our food to the way in which we choose to
control immigration.
So the process we are about to begin is not about negotiating all of
our sovereignty away again. It is not going to be about any of those
matters over which the country has just voted to regain control. It is
not, therefore, a negotiation to establish a relationship anything like
the one we have had for the last forty years or more. So it is not going
to a Norway model. Its not going to be a Switzerland model. It is
going to be an agreement between an independent, sovereign United
Kingdom and the European Union.
I know some people ask about the trade-off between controlling
immigration and trading with Europe. But that is the wrong way of
looking at things. We have voted to leave the European Union and
become a fully-independent, sovereign country. We will do what
independent, sovereign countries do. We will decide for ourselves how
we control immigration. And we will be free to pass our own laws.
But we will seek the best deal possible as we negotiate a new
agreement with the European Union. I want that deal to reflect the
kind of mature, cooperative relationship that close friends and allies
enjoy. I want it to include cooperation on law enforcement and
counter-terrorism work. I want it to involve free trade, in goods and
services. I want it to give British companies the maximum freedom to
trade with and operate in the Single Market and let European
businesses do the same here. But let me be clear. We are not leaving
the European Union only to give up control of immigration again. And
we are not leaving only to return to the jurisdiction of the European
Court of Justice.
As ever with international talks, it will be a negotiation, it will require
some give and take, and while there will always be pressure to give a
running commentary on the state of the talks, it will not be in our best
interests as a country to do that. But make no mistake: this is going to
be a deal that works for Britain.
But Brexit should not just prompt us to think about our new
relationship with the European Union. It should make us think about
our role in the wider world. It should make us think of Global Britain, a
country with the self-confidence and the freedom to look beyond the
continent of Europe and to the economic and diplomatic opportunities
of the wider world. Because we know that the referendum was not a
vote to turn in ourselves, to cut ourselves off from the world. It was a
vote for Britain to stand tall, to believe in ourselves, to forge an
ambitious and optimistic new role in the world.
And there is already abundant evidence that we will be able to do just
that. Important foreign businesses like Siemens and Apple have
committed to long-term investments in this country. With the Japanese
purchase of ARM for 24 billion, we have seen the biggest-ever Asian
investment in Britain. Countries including Canada, China, India,
Mexico, Singapore and South Korea have already told us they would
welcome talks on future free trade agreements. And we have already
agreed to start scoping discussions on trade agreements with
Australia and New Zealand.
A truly Global Britain is possible, and it is in sight. And it should be no
surprise that it is. Because we are the fifth biggest economy in the
world. Since 2010 we have grown faster than any economy in the G7.
And we attract a fifth of all foreign investment in the EU. We are the
biggest foreign investor in the United States. We have more Nobel
Laureates than any country outside America. We have the best
intelligence services in the world, a military that can project its power
around the globe, and friendships, partnerships and alliances in every
continent. We have the greatest soft power in the world, we sit in
exactly the right time zone for global trade, and our language is the
language of the world.
We dont need as I sometimes hear people say to punch above
our weight. Because our weight is substantial enough already. So
lets ignore the pessimists, lets have the confidence in ourselves to go
out into the world, securing trade deals, winning contracts, generating
wealth and creating jobs. And lets get behind the team of ministers
David Davis, Liam Fox, Priti Patel and Boris Johnson who are
working on our plan for Brexit, who know were going to make a
success of it and who will make a reality of Global Britain.
So lets have a great week here in Birmingham this conference. Lets
get this plan for Brexit right. Lets show the country we mean business.
And lets keep working to make Britain a country that works not for a
privileged few but for everyone in this great country.

Photo news:

Chelsea & Fulham at Conservative Party


Conference

Greg Hands MP with Conservative Party activists from Chelsea &


Fulham, Hammersmith and Kensington at this year's
Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.

Fulham in the papers:

Call for action over money box junction


after council pockets millions
Jack Dixon, London News Online
Wednesday 5th October 2016
Town Hall chiefs
have been urged
to
act
over
controversial money box junction fines after an investigation revealed
that drivers are being hit by millions of pounds worth of penalty
charges.
Law-abiding motorists are being unfairly punished for straying into the
zones at busy times and the fines are not working, councillors warned.
The call for action came after a BBC investigation named the
notorious Bagleys Lane/New Kings Road junction in Fulham as
Londons most lucrative location for penalty charges.
Hammersmith and Fulham council has raked in 12 million in fines at
the junction over the last seven years with more than 2 million in
2016 alone.
Councillor Greg Smith, leader of the Conservative opposition, called
for fresh thinking to keep the roads moving.
I want to see all of Hammersmith and Fulhams roads moving faster,
cutting delays for all road users, he said.
The level of money coming from these box junction fines clearly
demonstrates that they dont work and instead just punish the
otherwise law-abiding motorists they entrap.
Drivers have complained for years about the Bagleys Lane junction,
which frequently becomes gridlocked due to heavy traffic.
It was named the number one hotspot for box junction fines last week,
with Hammersmith and Fulham pocketing more than any other London
council.
The council said the sheer volume of traffic around Bagleys Lane
accounted for the high level of fines but that the number of penalties
was falling.
Seven million drivers navigate the junction each year without
breaking the rules and getting a ticket, a council spokesman said.
Just 0.3 per cent of motorists receive fines and this figure is falling
year on year.
Hammersmith and Fulham council uses any surplus from
infringements to pay for highways maintenance and free public
transport for over 60s and disabled people.
Drivers have complained that the design of the junction traps motorists
who are unfamiliar with the layout leading to harsh penalty fines
when they stray into the yellow box to keep traffic moving.
Freedom of Information requests revealed that other London councils
were also collecting millions of pounds in fines.
Local campaigner Andrew Ashe told the BBCs Inside Out programme
that Bagleys Lane was the perfect money box.
He said: My big concern is that the councils are allowed to keep the
money themselves.
This means they are motivated not to make improvements because
its leading to massive abuse.

Photo news:

Bayer AG, Germany

Greg Hands MP signing the visitors book at Bayer AGs


headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany. Greg was visiting major
German companies with UK operations to reassure them after the
EU referendum.

Royal Borough traffic accidents and


injuries at lowest levels for 25 years
Kensington and Chelsea had fewer road traffic collisions and injuries
in 2015 than in any year since records began in 1990, according to
data from Transport for London (TfL).
Overall, there were 632 collisions on Royal Borough streets in 2015,
resulting in 708 casualties. This means collisions were down by 11 per
cent on 2014 and casualties by ten per cent. Serious casualties
decreased from 67 to 48, a fall of 28 per cent. And slight casualties
were down by nine per cent on 2014, from 721 to 656.
In addition, cyclist casualties fell by 19 per cent and pedestrian
casualties by 14 per cent.
In 21 of TfLs 32 accident categories, the Royal Borough achieved its
lowest figures since 1990. Across Greater London total casualties fell
by two per cent compared with 2014.
But it is not all good news. Total motorcyclist casualties increased by
5.1 per cent from 198 in 2014 to 208 in 2015. This made motorcyclists
the largest casualty group in the borough in 2015.
During the year there were four fatalities: three motorcyclists and one
pedestrian. In two of these cases, motorists were later imprisoned for
causing death by dangerous driving.
Road traffic accidents can be fatal and life-changing events so the
fact that we have recorded our lowest figures for 25 years ago is
greatly welcomed, said Cllr Tim Coleridge, Cabinet Member for
Transport.
A lot of factors have contributed to this fall but one of them is certainly
the Councils determination to identify and improve accident
blackspots and ensure that the road safety message is heard
everywhere, and particularly in our schools. This is something in which
we have invested a lot of money and a great deal of effort. These
shrinking accident figures are exactly the return on investment we
were looking for.

Photo news:

Hands in the Taiwan press

Greg Hands MP appears in the Taiwan press after his speech at


the National Chengchi University.

Pay less for your gas and electricity in


Kensington & Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea residents who want to save money on their
gas and electricity bills can join the Big London Energy Switch auction.
The Big London Energy Switch is a collective switching scheme
designed to allow residents access some of the lowest fuel tariffs
available.
The latest scheme was launched on Tuesday 6 September 2016 and
you can find out more about it and sign up at
www.rbkc.gov.uk/energyswitch.
The closing date is Monday 10 October and the auction will take place
the following day. Energy providers are invited to offer their best prices
to all those who have registered. The winning energy company simply
offers the lowest price.
If you have chosen to sign up, personal offers will be sent out from
Monday 24 October and you need to decide to accept or not before
Tuesday 29 November.
If you choose to accept the offer you will be guided through the
switching process. However, if you would like further advice you can
call Healthier Homes on 0808 202 6204.
If you, or someone you know does not have easy access to the
internet, or has experienced difficulty trying to sign up, please call
Healthier Homes.

Photo news:

Department for International Trade

The new Welcome Board at the new Department for International


Trade on Whitehall.

Hands in the papers:

Britains place in the world of investment


Greg Hands MP, Taipei Times


Monday 26th September 2016
I am delighted to be here in Taiwan this week to promote trade with
the UK. This is not my first visit to Taiwan. I first came here in 1991
with a backpack, and most recently in 2011 with a suitcase, as a guest
of the Taiwan authorities.
However, this is my first time here as a minister, and it comes as
Britain builds a new future, from a position of strength, from which it
continues to be outward-facing, internationally focused and ready to
embrace new opportunities.
I was appointed as [British] minister of state in the Department for
International Trade on 15 July, three weeks after British voted to leave
the EU. Following that historic decision [British] Prime Minister
Theresa May set up the Department for International Trade to be
responsible for promoting the UK across the world and ensuring we
take advantage of the huge opportunities open to us.
The UK is the fifth-largest economy in the world the second-fastestgrowing major economy in the world last year.
We have been and always will be a trading nation and our overseas
partners looking to invest in the UK, such as Taiwan, are guaranteed a
strong, business-friendly environment. Quite simply, the UK is a great
place to do business and that will not change.
A world leader in financial services, insurance, computer and
information services and with a global reputation for creativity, it is
perhaps unsurprising that the UK is one of the best places in the world
to start and grow a business. Supported by super fast broadband
coverage, an integrated transport system and low corporation tax,
Britain is truly open for business to entrepreneurs who wish to take
advantage of the many strengths the UK has to offer.
Throughout my time here in Taiwan I will be delivering a clear
message the UK will continue to thrive and prosper, it will continue
to be a reliable ally and trusted partner, its creativity and innovation
will not be diminished in any way. And, we will push for the strongest
possible economic links with all important partners around the world,
including Taiwan.
The UK and Taiwan have long enjoyed a bilateral trading relationship
and this is as strong today as it has ever been, with trade volumes
growing by 50 percent over the past five years and total bilateral trade
in goods and services reaching 5.8 billion [US$7.5 billion] in 2014.
Taiwan is currently the UKs sixth-largest trading partner in the AsiaPacific region and the UKs 32nd-largest trading partner globally. From
a Taiwanese perspective, we were your third-largest trading partner in
Europe last year.
Recent years have seen a massive rise in Taiwanese investment into
the UK, with the UK attracting
1.2 billion of Taiwanese investment
last year, making it the No. 1 investment destination for Taiwans
investment in Europe last year.
Our education institutions are also world renowned the UK is home
to four of the worlds top 10 universities. We offer foreign students a
world-class education at globally respected universities resulting in
internationally recognized qualifications and great career prospects.
Every year, between 4,000 and 5,000 Taiwanese students choose to
study in the UK on long-term courses, and even President Tsai Ingwen ( ) is an alumna from the London School of Economics. We
deeply value the many benefits that foreign students bring to the UK
and we believe that studying in the UK is still the best investment
future leaders and entrepreneurs can make.

7 ways to contact Greg Hands MP:


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020 7219 5448


mail@greghands.com
Greg Hands MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
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