MP: trade agreements could be stepping stone to CPTPP The Government has today published preparatory documents for its forthcoming trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. These include the Government’s negotiating objectives, public consultation responses and a scoping assessment of the long-term economic impacts of trade agreements with these two countries. John said, “Despite...
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Foreign Affairs
John Baron MP welcomes first steps on Australia and New Zealand trade negotiations
John Baron MP welcomes FCO and DFID Merger
MP says it will allow better coordination in foreign affairs Today the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, announced that the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office will be merged into the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. John said, “I welcome the news that the FCO and DFID...
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John Baron MP welcomes UK-Japan trade talks
MP says we are taking back control of our trade policy The UK and Japan have begun negotiations for a free trade agreement, building on the existing EU-Japan agreement but going further in areas such as digital trade and providing support for the UK’s 5.9 million small businesses. UK-Japan trade talks are a stepping...
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John Baron MP backs Hong Kong citizenship proposals
MP says we have an historic debt to Hongkongers The Chinese Parliament has passed a national security law which, if implemented, would erode Hong Kong’s longstanding rights and freedoms. These are guaranteed until 2047 under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration which paved the way for the transfer of Hong Kong from Britain to China....
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John Baron MP welcomes UK-US trade negotiations
MP: We have regained control of trade policy Yesterday US and British officials launched free trade agreement negotiations. The current round, conducted via video conference due to the coronavirus outbreak, will continue for a fortnight. Analysis suggests that this free trade agreement could lead to a £15 billion increase in trade, benefitting every region...
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John Baron MP raises British Council at PMQs
MP: British Council’s links will be even more important after crisis Today in the House of Commons, John Baron MP raised the situation of the British Council, the UK organisation that promotes the English language and British culture abroad. Given the worldwide coronavirus emergency has closed down its commercial operations, it is in a...
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John Baron MP welcomes new immigration proposals
MP: UK will be open to the whole world, not just the EU The Home Secretary, Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, has formally announced the Government’s new post-Brexit immigration system. Taking effect from 1st January 2021, this will assign points for specific skills, qualifications or salaries, and visas will only be awarded to those...
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John Baron MP questions Defence Secretary on Iran
MP says Government should invest more in diplomatic and armed services Today in the House of Commons, the Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, gave a Statement on security in the Middle East following the killing of the Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. John asked, “Very few countries’ hands are completely...
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John Baron MP hosts British Council Future Leaders Connect Forum
MP encourages young people to apply Last week in Parliament John Baron MP, the Chairman of the British Council All-Party Parliamentary Group, hosted a networking session for 50 future leaders from 16 countries as part of the Future Leaders Connect Forum. The Forum is the British Council’s programme that aims to bring together the...
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John Baron MP encourages small charities to apply for funds
MP says Small Charities Challenge Fund now open for applications John Baron MP has today encouraged local small charities to make an application for funds to the Small Charities Challenge Fund which opened at the beginning of September for applications from small charities based in the UK. The DFID fund provides grants for development...
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