At Old Trafford yesterday. Which disrupted yesterdays match. And on a similar theme, Coming Up in half an hour a special programme looking at the three turbulent days of the european Super League forming and then failing. Hello, good afternoon. The Prime Minister has said that Social Distancing the advice to stay at least a metre, or two feet, away from others stands a good chance of being scrapped onjune the 21st in england. Thats the date when the remaining legal rules on social contact are due to end, and when its hoped that the last closed sectors of the economy will finally open. Borisjohnson also said today that while some foreign travel may resume after may 17th, we have got to be sensible. Our political correspondent Jonathan Blake gave us more details. Yesterday, the Foreign Secretary said there would be some safeguards that would be necessary beyond that, perhaps Social Distancing, perhaps the use of masks. The government is reviewing all these options. But today, borisjohnson out on the Campaign Trail for the hartlepool by election, sounded pretty optimistic. It also looks to me as though june 21st, well be able to say, you know, Social Distancing as we currently have to do it, the one metre plus, i think weve got a good chance, a good chance of being able to dispense with the one metre plus. From the 21st ofjune. Now, that is still dependent on the data. We cant say it categorically yet. Weve got to look at the epidemiology as we progress. Where we get to with the disease, but thats what it feels like to me right now. Social distancing as we know it now, then, according to the Prime Minister there, at least, could well be gone as ofjune 21st. But as i say, all this is subject to a review which is ongoing at the moment, notwithstanding what the Prime Minister has just said there. Its been interesting to see Labours Approach to the various responses of the government, lockdowns at various times, going back to keir starmer� s call for a Circuit Breaker in the middle of last year, which went unheeded. At this point, it sounds like theyre hedging their bets slightly, but sir keir starmer, the labour leader, was asked about this again, out on the Campaign Trail earlier today and sounding, again, relatively optimistic, but urging caution still. I think all of us want to see the restrictions eased, of course we do, but we also want to make sure that we dont go into another lockdown, so we have to be cautious and careful. I will listen to what the scientists say. There are a number of weeks to run until the 21st ofjune. I hope we get to a situation where we can ease the restrictions, but weve got to be led by the science on this. Sojune 21st is the date, as i say, The End of stage four of the Road Map out of lockdown in england when all legal restrictions are due to be lifted. Big events will still be limited and we could well still be living with some of the aspects of life that weve become used to, in the pandemic beyond that. Now, you said stage four. Thats obviously the 17th of may, and theres a lot of interest in that from anybody who is contemplating travelling abroad, whetherfor a Holiday Or Family reasons. Were expecting some detail on it, arent we, but were also getting noises of important players like heathrow airport, saying, hang on a minute, have you got the infrastructure in place to cope with a sudden surge of people wanting to travel abroad . And perhaps more importantly, wanting to come back again after theyve been on their holiday or their family trip. Yeah, its two weeks really, amid hopes to be able to allow international travel to resume. Of course, there has been a Blanket Ban for some time in place now. The debate really is picking up, as you suggest. Weve got political debate about whether its the right thing to do, but also various voices, whether its unions representing airport workers, the Travel Industry and others, all having their say. And i think its fair to say the government wants to go as far as it can, as soon as it can, but only if It Deems Travel to be safe. And the question is, well, how exactly do you decide what is safe . We have had some Thoughts Today from a Cross Party Group of mps, the all Party Parliamentary Group on coronavirus, an informal grouping in parliament who are really warning quite strongly and think that the government should not be encouraging international travel at all. They say that there is a concern around people mixing at airports in arrival halls coming back from different countries. Those environments could become a Breeding Ground for infection. And they are also raising concerns about false certificates which people are using to travel without a genuine and negative test result. The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has been holding talks with the new us Secretary Of State, Anthony Blinken, whos on his first visit to London Sincejoe Biden became president. The discussions take place before britain hosts Foreign Ministers from the G7 Group of industrialised nations. Ata summit at a summit in cornwall next month. In what will be their first Face To Face Meeting for more than two years. Our diplomatic correspondent James Landale reports. Americas top diplomat arriving in london for the first time since Team Trump was swept away by team biden. And while the politics and style may have changed, when it comes to world affairs, the message remains the same. What weve witnessed over the last several years is china acting more repressively at home and more aggressively abroad. It is the one country in the world that has the military, economic, diplomatic capacity to undermine or challenge the rules based order that we care so much about. And it is defending that international order that will be top of the agenda, as g7 Foreign Ministers meet Face To face for the first time in two years. Above all, how to protect open societies from authoritarian ones, including mechanisms to respond rapidly to misinformation and cyber attacks from russia and elsewhere. The pandemic, of course, will overshadow this meeting, with delegates talking through masks and screens, after daily on site tests. Their focus not only india, but also, new ways of getting vaccines to poor countries. They will also agree measures to tackle famine and encourage millions more girls into School Something that will prompt accusations of hypocrisy against the government, just as it cuts foreign aid for both. Well, the economic circumstances we find ourselves in as a direct result of coronavirus has meant that we have had to make some difficult decisions with regard to our Aid Budget. But nevertheless, in both percentage terms and in absolute terms, the uk remains one of the most generous aid donors in the world. So, for the host of this meeting, the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, a tricky path to walk. How to show global leadership, while also saving money . James will be watching closely this news conference, as will we come up we will bring it live from number nine Downing Street, this is the swanky new set the government paid Forfor Swanky new set the government paid for for hosting News Conferences and events like that as will we and we will bring it. Normally involving the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, his american opposite number will be with him, Anthony Blinken, and we expect a full statement of what they talked about and hopefully they will take questions. We will bring that life, it is scheduled to begin in the next few minutes. The Premier League say they will bring in a new owners� charter to stop future attempts to join another breakaway Super League. The Premier League and the fa both released statements this afternoon saying they are working with the government to protect the integrity of the Football Community. The Premier League said they are determined to hold the clubs accountable for their decisions and actions, and added that with the help of the fa, they will impose additional rules and regulations to ensure the leagues principals are protected, and introduce a new charter that all Club Owners will be required to sign, commiting them to the core principles of the league. Lets speak to austin halewood, in the bbc sport centre. They are tightening the screws, are they . Absolutely, yes, it is an important development because this is the first time we have heard a plan of action from the Premier League and the fa since the rise and sharp fall of the european Super League. This was when manchester united, liverpool, manchester city, tottenham, Chelsea And Arsenal all agreed tojoin tottenham, Chelsea And Arsenal all agreed to join other clubs from europe and a new competition to challenge the current champions league. The fa said an inquiry into the six clubs has started, but the developments you just mentioned from the Premier League are really the most interesting and most significant of them, being the owners of all clubs in the league will have to sign up for that new charter, a new rule that, them to the core principles of the Premier League, with beaches punished by significant sanctions, it said in a statement. I am sure to the delight of many football fans, they are trying to put things in place to stop anything like this happening again. It was such a big story, wasnt it . It sent Shock Waves throughout the Football Community not just throughout the Football Community notjust in the uk, but Around The World, the Governing Bodies say they are investigating the clubs and they are investigating the clubs and they are determined to hold them accountable. So i am sure, as you can probably imagine, this wont be the last we hear of this story. H0. The last we hear of this story. No, i think you the last we hear of this story. No, i think you are the last we hear of this story. No, i think you are absolutely right. I called you anthony, forgive me, austin, i have Anthony Blinken on my mind. One last thought. Do you think it has weakened the leverage the big clubs had because they are the Big Money Men And Women In Football and presumably, quite often, they could throw their weight around a bit with the other clubs and presumably they will not listen to them now because they can say, you are willing to hang is out to dry, why should we give you any concessions . Yes. Hang is out to dry, why should we give you any concessions . Yes, that could be true give you any concessions . Yes, that could be true. As give you any concessions . Yes, that could be true. As you give you any concessions . Yes, that could be true. As you say, give you any concessions . Yes, that could be true. As you say, the give you any concessions . Yes, that could be true. As you say, the six i could be true. As you say, the six clubs are the real pulling power for the Premier League Notjust Forfans in the uk, but Around The World. So it is going to be very interesting to see how that relationship goes forward. But of course, the Premier League is the most powerful Football League in the world and these big clubs, although they have power, they will want to be part of the Premier League no matter what it means for them. So it will be interesting to see what happens, but as you say, they will have quite a bit of power in these discussions moving forward. Bit of power in these discussions moving forward. Austin hayward, it is fascinating moving forward. Austin hayward, it is fascinating stuff, moving forward. Austin hayward, it is fascinating stuff, i moving forward. Austin hayward, it is fascinating stuff, i know moving forward. Austin hayward, it is fascinating stuff, i know lots is fascinating stuff, i know lots more will come out on that, thank you for that update. We are waiting for the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and us Secretary Of State Anthony Blinken to come to the podium and start to give their readout of what was said. We know some of the subjects that will be discussed at the g7, the last Face To face planning meeting, both the first and the last day will have before joe the first and the last day will have Beforejoe Biden travels to cornwall next month. Normally, the other with the other leaders of the g7. It is notjust Anthony Blinken who has been here, it has been the engine foreign minister, South Korea representatives, because they are members of the big economies in the g7 and they have a voice and a place here because they want to talk about lots of other issues, covid is very important, that has economic implications. The other Big One the british and americans are keen on is Climate Change, Climate Change politics is something that has kind of been on back burma in some ways because of the trump Administrations Attitude to Climate Change and pulling out of the Paris Agreement caused a big headache for lots of other countries. Nowjoe Biden Has committed to that and interesting Anthony Blinken was deputy Secretary Of State under the Obama Administration and John Kerry has taken the role of climate Change Envoy and is also in the us cabinet which is very important, he has the political presence, he is notjust shuffling around going from meeting to meeting talking to people in isolation from the cabinet, he is part of thes top team which is very important. Critics say there are too many obama and in the biden administration, but many Arguejoe Biden and i think we will see a bit of this when we go to this press conference, number nine Downing Street where it will start in the next few minutes and they are under a strict Time Limit to finish by half past five. Not because we want to run a programme but because they have logistical reasons they have to be out at 5 30pm. So it will start very soon. I was saying about this accusation made that the Obama Administration, there is too much of an Obama Hangover and there are areas where the Obama Administration Foreign Policy clearly fails, syria arguably and russian relations and what prompt what happened to the reset promised . So there is a question of whether there is too much old Thinking And Biden himself was not only Vice President , but he spent many years before that in the senate, chair of the senate foreign relations committee, so you could argue there is a risk of thinking, this is the way we have always done it and we will do it in future. Supporters ofjoe biden say, no, there are big names here but he has learned the lessons of the failures the Obama Administration and he was frustrated over the surge. Obama said, put in a few more extra troops, an aggressive move in afghanistan and that will deal with the problem. Biden has said, enough, we have to polar pull us troops out. The british not wildly happy about this and they have had to pull the troops out as well. You put that together and you realise there are some differences from the Obama Administration even if a lot of faces are the same and lets be honest, new challenges constantly arise and who would have put me and my would be an issue again and iran continues to be an issue and chinese relations have definitely deteriorated and relations with russia, so those are the things we will address in the coming few minutes. Obviously still finalising communications and we will. That is movement. That suggests we will get something pretty soon. That is people filing into the room which is probably a good sign and we will come back to that in a few minutes. But lets briefly bring you up to date on the coronavirus figures for the uk which have just been published. 1,649 new coronavirus infections have been recorded over the past 2a hours, and the uk has recorded one death. This is Dominic Raab and Anthony Blinken. Dominic raab first. Goad blinken. Dominic raab first. Good afternoon. Blinken. Dominic raab first. Good afternoon, everyone. Blinken. Dominic raab first. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank blinken. Dominic raab first. 13mm afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us. It is a huge pleasure to welcome secretary of State Blinken to the uk, tony, great to have you here with us, a warm welcome. I think it is fair to say the biden administration is barely 100 days old, but has already taken a huge number of bold and very welcome steps on issues like Climate Change, global health and Human Rights and that has really created momentum in efforts to tackle these global pressing issues. Since tonys confirmation, we have been working very closely together and Todays Meeting has been another reminder of the Depth And Breadth of the work we do together, the convergence of our interests and the many shared values. So today, tony and i discussed a full range of issues and i will give you a highlight of i think some of the key points. We talked about our shared commitment to stand up for open societies, democracy and Human Rights, protecting fundamental freedoms, tach and disinformation, holding Human Rights abuses to account. We talked, a key element of this is defending the Rule Of Law and we are determined to reform and reinforce the multilateral system. We want to keep working together very closely on all of these points through the G7 And President bidens democracy summit. We also discussed china, it is fair to say we see Eye To eye on the need to stand up for our values, Holding Beijing to the commitments they have made whether it is relevant in relation to Hong Kong under Thejoint Declaration or wider under the joint declaration or wider commitments, under Thejoint Declaration or wider commitments, whilst also finding constructive ways to work with china in a sensible and positive manner, where that is possible. That is important i think im global issues like Climate Change, we want to see china stepping up to the plate and playing its full role and tony and i also discussed a range of security issues, iran, afghanistan, continuing concerns about russia in particular on the border with ukraine. We stand shoulder to shoulder on these issues and i welcome the us� s firm recommitment to the nato alliance. It is only by working together overseas that we can keep our citizens Safe At Home and i think thats true in nato and it is true covid and the various measures we are taking to extend and expand and promote covax. Secretary blinken and i will see the prime Minister Tomorrow to continue the discussions we have had, one major area of common interest is building area of common interest is building a broader and stronger set of partnerships amongst countries that share our values on the most important issues of the day, so the g7 foreign and development Ministers Meeting which begins today is a great opportunity to really drive that agenda forward. This is the first opportunity for all g7 Foreign Ministers to meet together in person since 2019. I think we are glad to be able to socialise a bit together and conduct those meetings Face To face rather than doing it or on zoom teams. The world has changed quite a bit in two short years, societies and economies have been shaken by coronavirus. At the same time, we are responding to a situation where our values are being challenged, the international architecture is in some respects being weakened. And there is also the rapid technological change which brings new opportunities, we have seen that with the collaboration on things like the vaccine and also acute challenges and there are global threats from covid, Climate Change, that frankly demand global solutions and we are committed to try to find and enforce those solutions. In that context, we recognise the importance of building dynamic, agile new partnerships with like minded countries that share our values and that is why we invited the Foreign Ministers from india, South Korea, australia and brunei, brunei also representing as the chair, they will take part later in the week and they are all key partners. And they are a sign of the growing focus on the Indo Pacific Region as the economic and strategic crucible for this century. And as for the g7, at its core, it is a partnership based on values and so it is fitting that today, we meet on World Press Freedom day. And we have seen a range of attacks on journalists from belarus to myanmar, violations of Media Freedom is going Around The World and i feel it is at an alarming rate and i welcome the unequivocal stance of the united states and the g7 on safeguarding those vital democratic Media Freedoms. As Co Chair of the global Media Freedom coalition, the uk is working with our partners so we shine a light on the violations and we hold those to account and support journalists trying to shine a light on those abuses Around The World and we try and reverse what is otherwise a dangerous trend. This cuts to the core of the values the g7 represents Around The World. And it shows again why it is so important to meet together this week. Let me hand over together this week. Let me hand over to tony, thanks again for being here and for our valuable Discussions Today and we look forward to welcoming President Biden to the Uk Injune and i am looking forward to a productive G7 Meeting this week. Thank you very much, dominic. Let me actually thank you very much, dominic. Let me actually start thank you very much, dominic. Let me actually start where dominic left off, which actually start where dominic left off, which is World Press Freedom day. Off, which is World Press Freedom dav i off, which is World Press Freedom dav i have off, which is World Press Freedom day. I have to tell you, i take very much day. I have to tell you, i take very much to day. I have to tell you, i take very much to heart personally as well as professionally that, i actually started professionally that, i actually started my career as a journalist from started my career as a journalist from the started my career as a journalist from the relatively safe confines of washington, dc. But as dominic said, we are washington, dc. But as dominic said, we are seeing every day the work that journalists we are seeing every day the work thatjournalists are we are seeing every day the work that journalists are doing Around The World that journalists are doing Around The World and increasingly difficult and challenging conditions. To inform and challenging conditions. To inform people, to hold governments and leaders of one kind or another accountable. Nothing is more fundamental to the good functioning of our fundamental to the good functioning of our democracy is and i think we are both of our democracy is and i think we are both resolute in our support for are both resolute in our support for a free are both resolute in our support for a Free Press are both resolute in our support for a Free Press. And so, it is fitting that a Free Press. And so, it is fitting that we a Free Press. And so, it is fitting that we are a Free Press. And so, it is fitting that we are addressing our colleagues from the press on this day. Colleagues from the press on this they and colleagues from the press on this they and i colleagues from the press on this day. And i have to tell you, it is particularly day. And i have to tell you, it is particularly good to be in london for the particularly good to be in london for the first time a Secretary Of State for the first time a Secretary Of State i for the first time a Secretary Of State. I realised in thinking about it that state. I realised in thinking about it that the state. I realised in thinking about it that the first time i came to the united it that the first time i came to the united kingdom and london was almost exactly united kingdom and london was almost exactly 50 united kingdom and london was almost exactly 50 years ago and many, many times exactly 50 years ago and many, many times since. Exactly 50 years ago and many, many times since, but it is especially good times since, but it is especially good to times since, but it is especially good to be here today and especially ood good to be here today and especially good to good to be here today and especially good to have the chance to spend Real Time good to have the chance to spend Real Time with you, dominic. We have already Real Time with you, dominic. We have already met Real Time with you, dominic. We have already met twice i think in person at nato already met twice i think in person at nato and we have been on the phone at nato and we have been on the phone innumerable times. But there is Nothing Phone innumerable times. But there is nothing quite like being Face To face or sometimes masked a Mask Face to face or sometimes masked a Mask And Face to face or sometimes masked a mask and i Face To face or sometimes masked a mask. And i am particularly pleased we have mask. And i am particularly pleased we have had an opportunity here today we have had an opportunity here today and we have had an opportunity here today and it will extend for the next today and it will extend for the next few today and it will extend for the next few days mask to mask. And president next few days mask to mask. And President Biden is very much looking forward President Biden is very much looking forward to President Biden is very much looking forward to being here for the G7 In ust forward to being here for the G7 In just a forward to being here for the G7 In just a little forward to being here for the G7 In just a little over a month and i am also looking forward to the opportunity to meet with prime Minister Opportunity to meet with Prime Ministerjohnson tomorrow, i very much ministerjohnson tomorrow, i very much appreciate that, next door. I also do much appreciate that, next door. I also do want to take a moment to say in person also do want to take a moment to say in person what i have said in private. In person what i have said in private, including to dominic, which is to offer private, including to dominic, which is to offer my own condolences and my deep is to offer my own condolences and my deep sympathy on the passing of his Royai My Deep Sympathy on the passing of his royal Highness Prince Philip the duke of his royal Highness Prince Philip the duke of edinburgh. This year is the 80th Anniversary of the Atlantic Charter 80th Anniversary of the Atlantic Charter which set the foundation for The International Rules based order that our The International Rules based order that our countries strongly subscribe to and witches, as a result subscribe to and witches, as a result of subscribe to and witches, as a result of the openness, and economic Possibility Result of the openness, and economic possibility it result of the openness, and economic possibility it has created, been a tremendous advantage for not only that the tremendous advantage for not only that the citizens too citizens of our country. That the citizens too citizens of our country, but Around The World. It is our country, but Around The World. It is also our country, but Around The World. It is also the our country, but Around The World. It is also the 75th Anniversary of winston it is also the 75th Anniversary of winston churchills famous speech at Westminster College Missouri where he described the special relationship between united kingdom and united states and how vital it is our and united states and how vital it is our two and united states and how vital it is our two countries and many others around is our two countries and many others around the is our two countries and many others Around The World. Three quarters of Around The World. Three quarters of a century Around The World. Three quarters of a century later, that special relationship is enduring to, it is effective. Relationship is enduring to, it is effective, dynamic and it is close to the effective, dynamic and it is close to the hearts of the american people to the hearts of the american people. The work we do together serves people. The work we do together serves the people. The work we do together serves the interests of our people across serves the interests of our people across a serves the interests of our people across a vast array of issues, many of which across a vast array of issues, many of which dominic touchdown, including of which dominic touchdown, including maintaining our national security, including maintaining our national security, rejuvenating our economies on a sustainable and more equitable basis on a sustainable and more equitable basis i on a sustainable and more equitable basis. I think our bilateral relationship is also vital to the World Relationship is also vital to the world. The work that we do together advances world. The work that we do together Advances Progress on the most Urgent Global Advances Progress on the most Urgent Global issues and global issues that are having global issues and global issues that are having a real impact on the lives are having a real impact on the lives of are having a real impact on the lives of our are having a real impact on the lives of our citizens, including stopping lives of our citizens, including stopping covid 19, addressing the threat stopping covid 19, addressing the threat of stopping covid 19, addressing the threat of Climate Change, defending democratic values and open societies. As dominic said, we will address societies. As dominic said, we will address these topics over the next several address these topics over the next several days with our counterparts in the several days with our counterparts in the g7~ several days with our counterparts in the g7. Dominic, i want to thank you and in the g7. Dominic, i want to thank you and the in the g7. Dominic, i want to thank you and the united Kingdom Notjust for hosting you and the united Kingdom Notjust for hosting us, but for your leadership in building an incredibly robust leadership in building an incredibly robust agenda that again is centred on issues robust agenda that again is centred on issues that have a real impact on the lives on issues that have a real impact on the lives of on issues that have a real impact on the lives of our fellow citizens. We will focus the lives of our fellow citizens. We will focus on ending the covid 19 pandemic will focus on ending the covid 19 pandemic worldwide and the united Kingdom Pandemic worldwide and the united kingdom shares our commitment to ensuring kingdom shares our commitment to ensuring that the world is better prepared ensuring that the world is better prepared to prevent, detect and respond prepared to prevent, detect and respond to the next pandemic. We also have respond to the next pandemic. We also have to lead a global economic recovery also have to lead a global economic recovery. One that is sustainable and that recovery. One that is sustainable and that matches growth with equity, so the and that matches growth with equity, so the people hardest hit by the economic so the people hardest hit by the economic impact of Covid Get helped and it economic impact of Covid Get helped and it aligns also with the urgent need and it aligns also with the urgent need to and it aligns also with the urgent need to reduce emissions and build a green need to reduce emissions and build a Green Economy so we can raise to the challenge Green Economy so we can raise to the challenge of Green Economy so we can raise to the challenge of Climate Change. To that end, challenge of Climate Change. To that end. Here challenge of Climate Change. To that end. Here in challenge of Climate Change. To that end, here in london, we will discuss how The End, here in london, we will discuss how the world present major economies need to raise ambitions on climate economies need to raise ambitions on Climate Actions and i commend the united Climate Actions and i commend the united kingdom for its new 2035 target united kingdom for its new 2035 target which sets an appropriately hih target which sets an appropriately high Bar Target which sets an appropriately high Bar Target which sets an appropriately High Bar the worlds major economies High Bar the worlds major economies. We will talk about threats economies. We will talk about threats to be international rules based order and democratic values rules based order and democratic values and rules based order and democratic values and Human Rights. Together, our two values and Human Rights. Together, our two countries recently took measures our two countries recently took measures to prevent british and american measures to prevent british and american businesses from inadvertently supporting Forced Labour inadvertently supporting Forced Labour in xinjiang and elsewhere in China Labour in xinjiang and elsewhere in china we labour in xinjiang and elsewhere in china. We will continue our robust cooperation china. We will continue our robust cooperation to address the trustees in xinjiang. Cooperation to address the trustees in xinjiang, a crackdown on pro democracy activists and politicians in Hong Kong which reaches politicians in Hong Kong which reaches chinas international commitments, and the repression of media commitments, and the repression of Media Freedom across china and other parts of Media Freedom across china and other parts of the Media Freedom across china and other parts of the world which breaches chinas parts of the world which breaches chinas I Parts of the world which breaches chinas i also parts of the world which breaches chinas. I also want to thank the united chinas. I also want to thank the united kingdom Forjoining Us and holder united kingdom Forjoining Us and holder united kingdom Forjoining Us and holder Forjoining Us in holding Russia Holder Forjoining Us in holding russia to holder Forjoining Us in holding russia to account for its reckless and aggressive actions, we have reaffirmed our unwavering support for the reaffirmed our unwavering support for the independent sovereignty and territorial for the independent sovereignty and territorial integrity of ukraine which territorial integrity of ukraine which i territorial integrity of ukraine which i will visit later this week. Also, which i will visit later this week. Also, i which i will visit later this week. Also, i welcome the fine 60s recent announcement on the extension of the Global Announcement on the extension of the Global Magnitsky sanctions to combat russian Global Magnitsky sanctions to combat russian Human Rights abuses. As dominic russian Human Rights abuses. As dominic said, our two countries are fully committed to nato and maintaining Transatlantic Unity in defence maintaining Transatlantic Unity in defence of our common values and in Response Defence of our common values and in response to defence of our common values and in response to direct threats. One final response to direct threats. One final Issue Response to direct threats. One final issue i will mention is northern ireland. The united states remained northern ireland. The united states remained a steadfast supporter of a secure remained a steadfast supporter of a secure and remained a steadfast supporter of a secure and prosperous northern ireland, secure and prosperous northern ireland, in secure and prosperous northern ireland, in which all communities have ireland, in which all communities have a ireland, in which all communities have a voice ireland, in which all communities have a voice and can enjoy the games of the have a voice and can enjoy the games of the hard won peace. Like several President S of the hard won peace. Like several President S before him, President Biden President S before him, President Biden has President S before him, President Biden has been unequivocal in Support Biden has been unequivocal in support for the good Friday Agreement watch which was a historical Agreement Watch which was a historical achievement and which we should historical achievement and which we should protect. There is much more i could should protect. There is much more i could say should protect. There is much more i could say about all the work the united could say about all the work the united states and the united kingdom do every united states and the united kingdom do every single day, in ways which are quiet do every single day, in ways which are quiet and other ways to serve the interests of our people and i believe the interests of our people and i believe the broader international community. We are connected, it is often community. We are connected, it is often said. Community. We are connected, it is often said, but always important To Reaffirm often said, but always important To Reaffirm. We are connected by ties of friendship, family, history, shared of friendship, family, history, shared values and shared sacrifices. We have shared values and shared sacrifices. We have been reminded of that again in recent we have been reminded of that again in recent weeks as we prepare to draw in recent weeks as we prepare to draw down in recent weeks as we prepare to draw down our forces from afghanistan. We have stood shoulder to shoulder for nearly 20 years sharing to shoulder for nearly 20 years sharing to shoulder for nearly 20 years sharing having each others backs. Sharing having each others backs. We sharing having each others backs, we will never forget it. The united backs, we will never forget it. The united states has no close alli, no closer united states has no close alli, no closer partner than the united kingdom closer partner than the united kingdom and i am very glad of the Chance Kingdom and i am very glad of the chance to kingdom and i am very glad of the chance to say that here again today, Thank Chance to say that here again today, thank you chance to say that here again today, thank you chance to say that here again today, thank you no close alli. Chance to say that here again today, thank you no close alli. Thank you no close alli. Thank ou, thank you no close alli. Thank you. Tony thank you no close alli. Thank you. Tony we thank you no close alli. Thank you, tony. We will thank you no close alli. Thank you, tony. We will take thank you no close alli. Thank| you, tony. We will take questions from the media and we have James Landale from the bbc first, over to you. Landale from the bbc first, over to ou. ,. , landale from the bbc first, over to ou. You. Foreign secretary, secretary blinken, you. Foreign secretary, secretary blinken. Good you. Foreign secretary, secretary blinken, good afternoon, you. Foreign secretary, secretary blinken, good afternoon, Foreign Secretary blinken, good afternoon, Foreign Secretary first, blinken, good afternoon, Foreign Secretary first, what blinken, good afternoon, Foreign Secretary first, what is blinken, good afternoon, Foreign Secretary first, what is your secretary first, what is your Assessment Secretary first, what is your assessment of secretary first, what is your assessment of Reports Secretary first, what is your assessment of reports from secretary first, what is your assessment of reports from iran Yesterday Assessment of reports from iran yesterday suggesting assessment of reports from iran yesterday suggesting A Assessment of reports from iran yesterday suggesting a Deal Assessment of reports from iran yesterday suggesting a deal has| assessment of reports from iran yesterday suggesting a deal has been agreed yesterday suggesting a deal has been agreed to yesterday suggesting a deal has been agreed to secure yesterday suggesting a deal has been agreed to secure the yesterday suggesting a deal has been agreed to secure the Release Yesterday suggesting a deal has been agreed to secure the release of agreed to secure the release of nazanin agreed to secure the release of Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe agreed to secure the release of Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe and l agreed to secure the release of. Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe and that the debt Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe and that the debt is Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe and that the debt is being Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe and that the debt is being paid . Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe and that the debt is being paid . And Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe and that. The debt is being paid . And Foreign Secretary. The debt is being paid . And Foreign Secretary. You the debt is being paid . And Foreign Secretary, you are the debt is being paid . And Foreign Secretary, you are cutting the debt is being paid . And Foreign Secretary, you are cutting british. Secretary, you are cutting british Foreign Secretary, you are cutting british foreign aid secretary, you are cutting british foreign aid to secretary, you are cutting british foreign aid to yemen, secretary, you are cutting british foreign aid to yemen, syria, secretary, you are cutting british foreign aid to yemen, syria, the| foreign aid to yemen, syria, the united foreign aid to yemen, syria, the United Nations foreign aid to yemen, syria, the United Nations children foreign aid to yemen, syria, the United Nations children fund, i foreign aid to yemen, syria, thel United Nations children fund, the foreign aid to yemen, syria, the United Nations children fund, the un population United Nations children fund, the un population fund, United Nations children fund, the un population fund, the United Nations children fund, the un population fund, the un United Nations children fund, the un population fund, the un aid United Nations children fund, the un population fund, the un aid fund, i population fund, the un aid fund, water population fund, the un aid fund, water sanitation, population fund, the un aid fund, water sanitation, hygiene, population fund, the un aid fund, | water sanitation, hygiene, conflict resolution, water sanitation, hygiene, conflict resolution, humanitarian resolution, humanitarian preparedness resolution, humanitarian preparedness and resolution, humanitarian preparedness and the i resolution, humanitarian preparedness and the education of Girls Preparedness and the education of girls how preparedness and the education of girls how can preparedness and the education of girls. How can britain preparedness and the education of girls. How can britain claim preparedness and the education of girls. How can britain claim to preparedness and the Education Ofl girls. How can britain claim to show global girls. How can britain claim to show global leadership girls. How can britain claim to show global leadership at girls. How can britain claim to show global leadership at the girls. How can britain claim to show global leadership at the g7 girls. How can britain claim to show global leadership at the g7 when i girls. How can britain claim to show global leadership at the g7 when Iti Global Leadership at the g7 when it is cutting global leadership at the g7 when it is cutting so global leadership at the g7 when it is cutting so much global leadership at the g7 when it is cutting so much foreign global leadership at the g7 when it is cutting so much foreign aid . Global leadership at the g7 when it| is cutting so much foreign aid . And secretary is cutting so much foreign aid . And secretary blinken, is cutting so much foreign aid . And secretary blinken, if is cutting so much foreign aid . And secretary blinken, if i is cutting so much foreign aid . And secretary blinken, if i may is cutting so much foreign aid . And secretary blinken, if i may come i is cutting so much foreign aid . And secretary blinken, if i may come atj secretary blinken, if i may come at what secretary blinken, if i may come at what is secretary blinken, if i may come at what is your secretary blinken, if i may come at what is your Assessment Secretary blinken, if i may come at what is your assessment of secretary blinken, if i may come at what is your assessment of reportsj what is your assessment of reports of a prisoner what is your assessment of reports of a Prisoner Swap what is your assessment of reports of a Prisoner Swap deal what is your assessment of reports of a Prisoner Swap deal between i what is your assessment of reportsl of a Prisoner Swap deal between the us and of a Prisoner Swap deal between the us and iran, of a Prisoner Swap deal between the us and iran, secondly, of a Prisoner Swap deal between the us and iran, secondly, How Of A Prisoner Swap deal between the us and iran, secondly, how much. Us and iran, secondly, how much damage us and iran, secondly, how much damage do us and iran, secondly, how much damage do you us and iran, secondly, how much damage do you think us and iran, secondly, how much damage do you think has us and iran, secondly, how much damage do you think has been. Us and iran, secondly, how much damage do you think has been caused by Britains Damage do you think has been caused by Britains Decision Damage do you think has been caused by Britains Decision to damage do you think has been caused by Britains Decision to cut damage do you think has been caused by Britains Decision to cut its by Britains Decision to cut its foreign by Britains Decision to cut its foreign aid by Britains Decision to cut its foreign Aid Budget by Britains Decision to cut its foreign Aid Budget and by Britains Decision to cut itsi foreign Aid Budget and thirdly, by Britains Decision to cut its foreign Aid Budget and thirdly, do you think foreign Aid Budget and thirdly, do you think the foreign Aid Budget and thirdly, do you think the g7 foreign Aid Budget and thirdly, do you think the g7 is foreign Aid Budget and thirdly, do you think the g7 is fit foreign Aid Budget and thirdly, do you think the g7 is fit for foreign Aid Budget and thirdly, do. You think the g7 is fit for purpose . Thank you think the g7 is fit for purpose . Thank you you think the g7 is fit for purpose . Thank you thank you. Thanks for that. On the detainees and thank you. Thanks for that. On the detainees and the thank you. Thanks for that. On the detainees and the situation thank you. Thanks for that. On the detainees and the situation with i detainees and the situation with Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe we are working intensively to secure their release, we have been for many months. I would say it is incumbent on iran unconditionally to release those held arbitrarily and in our view unlawfully, and the reports im afraid are not yet accurate in terms of the suggestion of her imminent release. On aid, even after the cuts we had to make because of the pressing covid situation, the biggest contraction of our