Also in the news...
Foreign travel advice Indonesia
FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Indonesia.
Foreign travel advice Romania
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 24 April 2024 Updated: 23 April 2024 Latest update: Information related to drug offences and Romanian music festivals (under 'Laws and cultural differences' subheading on the 'Safety and security' page).
Foreign travel advice The Gambia
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 23 April 2024 Updated: 22 April 2024 Latest update: Ferry services between Banjul and Barra have been suspended until further notice; The Islamic Summit of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) will be held in Banjul on 4-5 May; road closures and delays at Banjul International Airport ('Safety and security' page).
Foreign travel advice China
Warnings and insurance Still current at: 23 April 2024 Updated: 22 April 2024 Latest update: Updated information on flooding (‘Safety and security’ page).
Guidance Living in South Korea
Information for British citizens moving to or living in South Korea, including guidance on residency, healthcare, driving and more.
Americas Minister champions UK-US relationship in New England
David Rutley will be strengthening UK-US economic links and deepening security ties with the UK’s closest ally on a visit to New England and Washington DC
- Americas Minister David Rutley deepens UK ties with states across the US with visit to Massachusetts and New Hampshire
- With UK-US trade already worth £310 billion a year, visit will build on the close relationship that creates millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic
- Minister Rutley to also attend National Governors Association winter meeting in Washington DC to deepen economic and security links with key state leaders
Strengthening economic links that support millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic and deepening security ties with the UK’s closest ally will be the focus for Americas Minister David Rutley as he begins a visit to New England and Washington DC today (Tuesday 20 February).
Minister for the Americas, Caribbean and Overseas Territories David Rutley said:
The UK has no better friend than America. It is a partnership that delivers security and prosperity for communities on both sides of the Atlantic and around the world.
The strength of that bond has been clear on my visits to states across the US and I am now looking forward to boosting those deep and long-standing links in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, by driving forward trade, technology and cultural partnerships that help tie us together as the closest of allies.
His trip to New Hampshire and Massachusetts will continue a programme of visits that Minister Rutley is making to states across the US as he champions the UK as a great investment and business partner and highlights the unrivalled security and defence ties between the two allies.
With the US and UK already having more than £1 trillion invested in each other’s economies, it is a relationship that presents huge opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic - supporting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s priority to grow the UK’s economy and create better paying jobs.
The UK supports more jobs in America than any other country, with more than 1.2 million people working for British companies, while almost 1.5 million people do the same for American companies in the UK.
In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, world-renowned British businesses such as BAE Systems and GlaxoSmithKline support jobs for almost 44,000 Bay Staters and around 13,000 New Hampshirites.
While in New England, Minister Rutley will discuss with political, business and industry leaders how the UK and US can strengthen cooperation in key sectors, including a meeting with representatives from Fenway Sporting Group at the iconic Fenway Park in Boston.
At a conference at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Science, he will also discuss how a UK-US partnership signed last year is accelerating global fusion energy development.
The UK is widely recognised as a world leader in the most promising fusion technologies and the UK-US partnership follows the launch of the UK’s updated Fusion Strategy.
Minister Rutley will also deliver a speech at the Harvard Business School, his alma mater, while in Boston.
He will reaffirm the strength of the UK’s relationship with its closest strategic ally and their alignment across foreign policy goals, including support for Ukraine, in working towards a sustainable peace in the Middle East and in responding to challenges posed by China.
Following his trip to New England, Minister Rutley will then travel to Washington DC where he will attend the National Governors Association winter meeting to meet with key state-level political leaders as he further deepens economic and security links across the US.