Sue Gray has turned down Starmer's job proposal following her resignation as chief of staff

Sources close to Ms. Gray informed Sky that she is not interested in the position of envoy for the nations, which was proposed to her after she resigned from her role as chief of staff amid several weeks of adverse reports.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 4:

Sky News has learned that Sue Gray has turned down a recent job proposal from Sir Keir Starmer following her resignation from her role as his chief of staff, a position she held for only a few weeks after he assumed office.

The ex-chief political advisor has declined the position as representative for the countries and "will concentrate on different pursuits," a source close to her informed Sky News political editor Beth Rigby.

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The source mentioned: "She has spent time carefully considering it and discussing it with interested parties, but in the end, she has chosen not to proceed."

Ms. Gray resigned from her position as Sir Keir's chief assistant last month following several weeks of unfavorable reports about her, including disputes regarding her pay.

Officials revealed that she had accepted the position of the prime minister's envoy for nations and regions, a role she expressed eagerness to embark on.

Despite her responsibilities, she failed to attend an important initial meeting pertinent to her latest role. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden explained to Sky News that she "had endured quite a bit" and was "on a brief hiatus."

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A representative from Downing Street stated that Ms. Gray chose not to accept the position following her hiatus, and she "remains appreciated by the PM for the assistance she offered."

Previously, an official informed Sky News, stating, "I believe it's the correct choice."

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Ms. Gray gained national attention following her investigation into gatherings at Downing Street amid the pandemic.

Her switch to the Labour Party immediately garnered media attention, with the Conservatives questioning the extent of her discussions with the party regarding a leading position while she was still employed as a civil servant.

An internal dispute ultimately led to her departure from the chief of staff position, as Labour's initial quarter in power was overwhelmed by a series of unfavorable news stories concerning her.

The conflict surrounding Ms. Gray's position intensified after her earnings, which at £170,000 surpassed the prime minister's by £3,000, were disclosed to the BBC, seemingly to undermine her politically.

The media outlet noted that lower-level employees expressed dissatisfaction over their salaries, which had not increased from the time Labour was in opposition, even though they now held higher positions in the government.

On stepping down on October 6, Ms. Gray stated that although serving as the chief of staff was a privilege, the growing scrutiny concerning her role threatened to overshadow the government's crucial agenda for reform.

"For this reason, I've decided to step down, and I am eager to keep supporting the prime minister in my new capacity," she stated.

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Prime Minister unveils fresh communication approach with environmental declaration in Azerbaijan

Sir Keir Starmer is transitioning his focus from discussing his five governmental objectives to two main "priorities" – enhancing the economy and securing national borders.

Assistant Deputy Political Editor @SamCoatesSky

Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 6:

This week in Azerbaijan, Keir Starmer demonstrated his skill in tailoring his messages to suit various audiences.

Navigating the complexities of politics is crucial, and it appears that the latest team at Number 10 is starting to gain their footing as they tackle the difficult political terrain in their favor.

Live Politics Update: Starmer's Ex-Assistant Declines New Position

A fresh strategy was unveiled at the COP climate change conference in Baku.

The prime minister appeared, making a startling declaration that directly challenges the current mainstream political beliefs. Sir Keir showed up ready to unveil a more aggressive goal for tackling climate change in the UK, following two years in which the Tories scaled back their environmental commitments, assuming such actions aligned with the views of the British populace.

In a striking move, while Donald Trump dismissed climate change as a "hoax," a British prime minister took a more aggressive stance, pushing for the UK to cut 81% of its emissions by 2035. This target marks a considerable escalation from the earlier Conservative commitment to lower emissions by 67% by 2030.

This positions the UK among the leading nations in terms of demanding climate action goals. In Baku, this shift from one of the top leaders attending the conference marks a notable change and was immediately praised by environmental organizations.

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Similar to a financial promise without allocated funds, there appears to be no defined strategy to achieve these increased goals. Sir Keir emphasized that he did not plan to dictate lifestyle changes to the public. Is he suggesting a hastened push for the public to abandon gas boilers, greater encouragement for the adoption of electric vehicles, or possibly some form of motivation to reduce meat consumption?

This message was complex to communicate. Therefore, Downing Street arrived with a unique strategy to present it to the domestic audience.

In conversations and public speeches, he shifted focus from setting new objectives and challenges to highlighting the "green opportunity." He emphasized that ambitious climate goals are propelling the shift toward renewable energy, which aligns with his economic agenda to stimulate growth.

It seems to be a component of a broader plan from Downing Street.

As he departed, Keir Starmer aimed to connect much of his ongoing initiatives to two central themes – enhancing economic development and securing the UK's borders. Consequently, environmental policies are now being framed in terms of promoting economic expansion to appeal more to voters.

This is part of a broader transition.

Instead of the five "missions" of the election campaign, which some top Labour officials acknowledged as obscure, all of Starmer's additional objectives are now encompassed within these two "priorities." These priorities, which are to enhance economic growth and strengthen border security, are topics we will frequently hear about moving forward.

The alignment of these two key concerns with the central messages of Donald Trump's campaign is certainly not accidental, though it would be an oversimplification to suggest they were directly taken from it.

Efforts to revamp the public discourse surrounding the missions have been underway since before the Labour conference in September.

This represents the newest attempt to streamline the Prime Minister's communication with the electorate. It remains to be seen how effective this strategy will prove to be in this region.

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Government health reforms include NHS rankings and halted salary increases for managers

The NHS played a pivotal role in the latest general election, with the Labour Party accusing the Conservatives of "destroying" it. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has expressed his desire to cut waiting times from "18 months to 18 weeks".

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Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 7:

Rankings that expose underperforming NHS trusts, along with halted salary increases or termination for managers who fail to implement improvements, are included in strategies to enhance the healthcare system.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced new initiatives aimed at improving underperforming hospital trusts while also rewarding those that are doing well.

The modifications are a component of the Labour government's plan to cut down waiting times from 18 months to 18 weeks.

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Mr. Streeting stated on Sky News, "I offer no apologies for wanting to address and remove the worst performers, as we would in any other workplace, where subpar performance is too frequently accepted within the NHS."

Throughout this year's general election, voters frequently prioritized health and the condition of the NHS, with Labour accusing the Conservatives of causing its deterioration.

Since healthcare is managed regionally, any changes suggested in Westminster would specifically impact England.

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A central feature of Mr. Streeting's suggestions includes a ranking system for NHS trusts.

The Department for Health and Social Care has declared that NHS England is set to conduct an exhaustive and unrestricted evaluation of NHS performance nationwide, resulting in providers being ranked in a league table.

"This information will be released to the public and updated consistently, allowing leaders, decision-makers, and patients to understand which enhancements require immediate attention."

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The plan includes provisions to substitute "consistently underperforming managers" with "recovery teams" tasked with enhancing the performance of trusts that are managing significant deficits or providing substandard care to patients.

According to the government, "senior managers" who do not demonstrate progress will be disqualified from receiving salary increases.

Top executives, including chief executives, could face financial consequences if their organization's trustworthiness does not enhance.

Conversely, trusts that are considered "high-performing" will receive more autonomy regarding their funding and operational flexibility.

Top executives at these organizations will also receive incentives.

Authorities state that the existing framework fails to encourage trusts to generate a budget surplus, since they do not stand to gain from such surpluses.

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Mr. Streeting commented, "The budget illustrates the government's prioritization of the NHS by allocating the necessary funds to revamp the health service."

"Today, we are unveiling changes aimed at ensuring that every additional dollar invested is effectively utilized to reduce the wait times for patients."

"Turning a blind eye to shortcomings is no longer an option. We are committed to propelling our health service forward, ensuring that patients receive greater benefits relative to the investments made by taxpayers."

"Our healthcare system needs to draw in the best professionals, increase its openness to the taxpayers who fund it, and operate with the efficiency of leading international corporations.

"Through a blend of funding and changes, we aim to transform the NHS and reduce waiting periods from 18 months to 18 weeks."

Stay updated on the most recent developments in the UK and globally by tuning into Sky News.

Worries expressed by public health officials

Amanda Pritchard, the CEO of NHS England, stated, "NHS leaders are in favor of being held accountable, but it is essential that such responsibility is accompanied by adequate support and development opportunities."

"The comprehensive set of reforms, crafted in collaboration with the government, will equip all NHS leaders with the essential resources required to deliver top-notch services to patients."

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The government announced that details about the monitoring strategies will be released by April 2025, coinciding with the beginning of the new fiscal year.

Matthew Taylor, the head of the NHS Confederation which encompasses all NHS trusts, expressed that healthcare leaders are supportive of the "government's ambition."

He expressed concern that focusing on league tables and cutting salaries might oversimplify the underlying issues.

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Mr. Taylor stated, "NHS personnel are striving to deliver optimal care to patients despite difficult conditions, and it's important they don't feel singled out for blame."

"Simply publishing rankings won't enhance performance; it's crucial to recognize and assist healthcare organizations facing ongoing challenges, which often stem from factors like the health of the local community and lack of staff, to help them improve."

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Labour Party's latest campaign proposal includes imposing a £10,000 penalty on social media executives who fail to eliminate advertisements for knives. As part of its goal to cut knife crime by 50% over the next ten years, outlined in its election manifesto, the party aims to decrease the online sale of knives and is considering legal adjustments concerning the sale of ninja swords as well.

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Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 1

The government is contemplating imposing penalties of up to £10,000 on social media executives who fail to take down advertisements for illegal knives.

The initiatives are efforts by the Labour Party to achieve their goal of reducing knife crime by 50% over the next ten years.

The Home Office is proposing new regulations aimed at halting the "inappropriate promotion of illegal weapons and the glorification of violence on social media and online marketplaces," ensuring such content is promptly taken down.

According to the proposed measures, law enforcement authorities would have the authority to caution high-ranking personnel at digital firms and require the removal of certain advertisements and materials, possibly within a 48-hour timeframe.

If no measures are taken following the initial warning, a subsequent notification may be issued, holding top officials personally responsible for a substantial penalty.

Although the precise amount of the fine has not been finalized, discussions indicated that severe violators could face penalties up to £10,000, as reported by the PA news agency.

Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his intention to toughen the regulations on purchasing knives via the internet.

In September, he convened a gathering for a newly formed coalition aimed at combating knife crime, which included actor Idris Elba and families who have lost loved ones, among other participants.

Elba emphasized during the meeting, "Discussion is valuable, yet it's crucial that we take action."

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In addition to curbing online knife sales, the government is also looking to amend legislation concerning the ownership of ninja swords.

Efforts are currently underway to establish a definition for the weapons.

This follows efforts by Pooja Kanda, who is the mother of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda.

In 2022, Ronan lost his life in Wolverhampton after being attacked by two 17-year-olds. The weapon used in the incident was bought online using a fake name and picked up from a Post Office.

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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper declared that offenders "will encounter the full severity of the law," as she unveiled "stringent new penalties." She noted, "The surge in knife crime over the past ten years is shattering families and communities throughout the nation."

"This administration is committed to an ambitious goal of reducing knife crime by 50% in the coming ten years, and today we are taking decisive steps to remove dangerous knives from the streets of Britain."

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Commander Stephen Clayman, who is at the forefront of the National Police Chiefs' Council's efforts to combat knife crime and is also overseeing a review of online weapon sales for the Home Office, stated: "Deadly weapons have been readily available online for an excessively long time, with numerous platforms frequently featuring content that advocates their use for protection and combat, and it appears that minimal effort is being made to eliminate this content.

"We are pleased to participate in the consultation and investigate the best ways to accomplish this goal, including considering insights from the current review of online sales."

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Has Blairism Returned?

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 07:33, UK

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Sky News’ assistant political editor, Sam Coates, alongside Politico’s Jack Blanchard, deliver a concise daily overview of upcoming political events in less than 20 minutes.

Wes Streeting has unveiled proposals to overhaul the NHS. The conversation between Jack and Sam focuses on his league table initiative, which is receiving mixed reactions from various sectors of the health care system. They also ponder whether aspects of this plan echo the approaches of Tony Blair.

Donald Trump has announced his intention to appoint Fox News presenter and critic of progressive culture, Pete Hegseth, as his next defense secretary. What will be the reaction to this decision within the UK's Ministry of Defence and internationally?

To contact Jack and Sam, you can either message them on WhatsApp at 07511 867 633 or send an email to jackandsam@sky.uk.

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Has Blairism Returned?

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 07:33, UK

🎧 Dive into political discussions on the "Politics At Jack And Sam's" podcast available on your favorite podcast platform

Sky News' Assistant Political Editor Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard provide a daily briefing on political events, all in less than 20 minutes.

Wes Streeting has introduced proposals for NHS overhaul. In their conversation, Jack and Sam examine his idea of implementing league tables, a concept that's meeting resistance from various sectors within the healthcare system. They question whether some aspects of the plan echo those of Tony Blair.

Donald Trump has announced his intention to appoint Fox News presenter and critic of "woke" culture, Pete Hegseth, as his Secretary of Defense. What will be the reaction of the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD) and international counterparts to this nomination?

Reach out to Jack and Sam via WhatsApp at 07511 867 633 or contact them through email at jackandsam@sky.uk.

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Has Blairism Made a Return?

Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 7:33

🎧 Tune into the Politics At Jack And Sam's podcast on your favorite podcast platform! 🎧

Sky News' assistant political editor Sam Coates and Politico’s Jack Blanchard deliver a daily briefing on upcoming political events, all in less than 20 minutes.

Wes Streeting has introduced new proposals for NHS reform. Jack and Sam are analyzing his league table initiative, which hasn't been universally well-received across the healthcare sector. Are there echoes of Tony Blair in some aspects of this plan?

Donald Trump has announced his intention to appoint Fox News presenter and critic of "woke" culture, Pete Hegseth, as his next defense secretary. What reactions can we expect from the UK's Ministry of Defence and internationally?

To get in touch with Jack and Sam via WhatsApp, message them at 07511 867 633, or you can email them at jackandsam@sky.uk.

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Rail operators to undergo scrutiny regarding their enforcement of ticket fare rules

The scrutiny will likely assess the transparency of ticketing terms and the clarity with which they are communicated to travelers.

Political correspondent @alixculbertson

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 11:36

Rail operators are due for an evaluation concerning their methods of pursuing and penalizing fare evasion, following concerns about excessive measures being used against travelers.

Sky News has learned that Transport Secretary Louise Haigh will request that the Office of Rail and Road, the agency in charge of overseeing the economic and safety aspects of Britain's railways and highways, conduct a review of the methods used to handle fare evasion.

Currently, train operators have several methods at their disposal for handling passengers who either fail to purchase a ticket or who underpay. In the most severe cases, these passengers could face legal proceedings and potentially receive a criminal record.

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Reports indicate that the government has no plans to strip train companies of the power to prosecute individuals who intentionally evade paying fares.

Criticism has been increasing regarding the measures implemented against individuals who have unintentionally erred, frequently attributing these mistakes to the complex nature of ticket pricing.

The forthcoming independent analysis will assess the clarity of ticketing terms and conditions and their communication to travelers.

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A primary focus will be to determine the criteria for initiating legal action.

In August, a legal decision determined that four railway operators, among them Northern Rail and Greater Anglia, had improperly initiated legal action against thousands of travelers using the single justice procedure (SJP), even though they were not authorized to employ this method.

Since its introduction in 2015 for minor offenses in magistrates' courts, the SJP has enabled companies to expedite legal proceedings and conduct them privately.

Chief Magistrate for England and Wales, Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring, stated that the cases "should never have been brought through" and described the prosecutions as "probably unlawful," a sentiment concurred with by the train companies.

Judge Goldspring stated that while the precise count of SJP prosecutions remains uncertain, it likely exceeds 74,000.

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In October, Northern Rail, which is owned by the government, ceased all legal proceedings against engineering graduate Sam Williamson after previously threatening to prosecute him, a move that could have led to a hefty fine and a criminal record.

He accidentally purchased a £3.65 anytime day single ticket with his 16-25 railcard and boarded a train just after 7am, unaware that it was only valid after 10am since all tickets before that time must cost a minimum of £12.

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The Department for Transport has instructed the company to reassess its ticketing procedures to guarantee transparency and fairness for travelers.

Northern subsequently canceled all ongoing legal actions against individuals in comparable situations and pledged to reassess past cases.

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Hearing for Executive Vice-President Nominee Teresa Ribera Rodríguez

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Three parliamentary committees conducted an inquiry into Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, the Spanish nominee for the role of Commission Executive Vice-President focused on ensuring a Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition.

In her initial comments, Ms. Ribera honored those affected by the recent flooding in Valencia, Spain. She vowed to continue pursuing the goals of the European Green Deal to achieve climate objectives and proposed a revised strategy for competition policy that would help European businesses compete fairly on the global stage.

Addressing climate change issues

In light of the recent flooding in Valencia, a number of Members of the European Parliament inquired about Ms. Ribera's strategies for enhancing Europe's preparedness for increasing climate-related challenges. Ms. Ribera emphasized the necessity of enhancing efforts to bolster the EU's resilience against severe weather occurrences, focusing particularly on the development of early warning systems and response capabilities. She pledged to introduce a new European Climate Adaptation Plan to tackle these concerns. Additionally, she vowed to prioritize strengthening water resilience.

Ms. Ribera pledged to strive for the achievement of the European Union's climate and energy objectives for 2030. Additionally, she aimed to establish a goal for the EU to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, relative to 1990 levels, with the ultimate purpose of reaching carbon neutrality by the middle of the century.

Members of the European Parliament also inquired with Ms. Ribera about environmental concerns and the sustainable circular economy, covering topics such as international discussions on climate change and biodiversity.

A fair and sustainable shift

Ms. Ribera emphasized the necessity of backing industrial efforts to reduce carbon emissions, ensuring a fair transition that includes housing and good-quality employment, and leveraging the advantages of green and digital advancements. During the discussion, members inquired about the inclusion of nuclear energy in European strategies. Ms. Ribera clarified that decisions regarding energy sources are up to individual member states. Regarding the European car industry and its decarbonization objectives, Ms. Ribera showed her readiness to collaborate with various industry partners to "ensure that the transition is achieved." She also pledged to tackle the matter of supporting subcontractors in the automotive sector.

A fresh perspective on policies related to competition

Ms. Ribera pledged to focus on reforming the European Union's competition policy. Her goals include accelerating the enforcement process, making state aid regulations more straightforward, and tightening restrictions on acquisitions that hinder innovation.

Members of the European Parliament inquired about how competition policy might be utilized to tackle the increasing cost of living and the ongoing housing crisis. They also questioned how these rules could support the creation of leading European companies on a global scale. Ms. Ribera acknowledged that competition policy has the potential to play a greater role in curbing exploitative pricing and, to a certain degree, in addressing the housing issue.

The inquiry also sought clarification from Ms. Ribera on how she plans to maintain consistency amid changes to competition regulations, enhance the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and what the major focus areas for the competition agenda would be. She emphasized the need for the Commission to have more authority to effectively enforce the DMA. Additionally, Ms. Ribera highlighted priorities such as streamlining competition regulations, targeting the most serious violators, and backing the shift towards environmentally sustainable practices.

You can view the entire hearing by accessing the video recording available here.

Media briefing

Following the conclusion of the hearing, Antonio Decaro, representing the S&D group from Italy and serving as the Chair of the ENVI committee, along with Aurore Lalucq, also from the S&D group in France and Chair of the ECON committee, addressed the media outside the meeting venue. You can view their statements here.

Following actions

The leaders and coordinators of the parliamentary committees responsible for Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Industry, Research and Energy, along with Economic and Monetary Affairs, are scheduled to gather promptly. Their task is to evaluate the qualifications and performance of the individual nominated for the Commissioner position. Following the committee's suggestions, the Conference of Presidents, which includes EP President Metsola and the heads of political groups, will carry out the ultimate assessment and officially conclude the hearings on November 21. After the Conference of Presidents concludes all hearings, the evaluation letters will be made public.

Members of the European Parliament are set to vote on the entire group of Commissioners, requiring a majority of the votes in a roll-call format. This election is planned for the plenary session in Strasbourg from November 25 to 28.

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Interview with Executive Vice President Nominee Henna Virkkunen

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On Tuesday night, members of the Industry and Internal Market Committees conducted an inquiry with Henna Virkkunen, the Finnish nominee for the portfolio on Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy.

In her opening remarks, Henna Virkkunen expressed her commitment to enhancing the EU's autonomy in the digital arena, securing vital digital infrastructure, and boosting competitiveness. She outlined her intentions to promote innovation and investment in cutting-edge technologies, ensure online safety and fairness, bridge the digital skills divide, streamline administrative processes, and boost funding for research.

Independence and protection in technology

The nominated Commissioner pledged to back initiatives and advancements in cybersecurity to shield the EU's essential infrastructure from hybrid threats. Ms. Virkkunen endorsed the concept of establishing a genuine defense alliance and highlighted the significance of collaborative investments, with further specifics anticipated in a forthcoming defense white paper. She announced that a cybersecurity action plan would be unveiled shortly and emphasized that member states must thoroughly implement current cybersecurity regulations and take additional steps to enhance the security of critical infrastructure.

When addressing inquiries about boosting the European Union's autonomy in technology, particularly in the realm of cloud services, Ms. Virkkunen promised to draw researchers to Europe, enhance private sector funding, and improve the skills of specialists. This initiative is part of a larger plan aimed at achieving the EU's digital decade objectives and guaranteeing secure, rapid connectivity. She noted that the digital networks legislation would streamline processes and provide high-speed internet access to everyone. Additionally, the cloud and AI development legislation is designed to enhance investment in cloud infrastructure for companies. She also highlighted priorities such as increasing the EU's production of semiconductors, advancing the EU Space industrial strategy, and focusing on quantum computing.

Assisting with the shift towards digital

Regarding artificial intelligence, Ms. Virkkunen pledged to quickly put the AI Act into effect. To position Europe as "the AI continent" capable of drawing top talent, she plans to introduce an AI factories initiative within her first 100 days in office. Additionally, she intends to draft a cloud and AI development act aimed at fostering energy-efficient computing, enhancing business capabilities, and encouraging innovation. She emphasized that advancing industrial applications of AI will be a key focus, particularly in response to inquiries about AI’s ability to enhance services such as healthcare.

A number of Members of the European Parliament inquired about the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), focusing particularly on the adverse impacts of social media, the safeguarding of online freedom of expression, and the issue of illegal goods being sold by foreign entities. Ms. Virkkunen emphasized that one of her main concerns is the online safety of children, and she pledged to introduce a strategy to combat cyberbullying while also addressing systemic risks like addictive algorithms. She clarified that the DSA is designed to eliminate illegal content and provide users with the tools to protect their online rights. Additionally, she underscored the importance of collaborating with allies on digital policy and reiterated that digital regulations are applicable to all businesses wishing to operate within the European Union.

Ms. Virkkunen addressed inquiries from Members of the European Parliament regarding freedom of expression and basic rights, emphasizing the forthcoming Democracy Shield project. She stressed the necessity of combating external meddling and misinformation, along with the significance of maintaining a diverse media landscape.

The complete video of the hearing is available for viewing here. Following the hearing, Ms. Virkkunen addressed the press outside the meeting room; the recording of her statement can be seen here.

Subsequent

The leaders and coordinators of both committees will convene promptly to evaluate the abilities and credentials of the individual nominated for Executive Vice-President.

Following the suggestions from the committee, the Conference of Presidents, which includes EP President Metsola and the leaders of the political groups, plans to carry out the final assessment and announce the conclusion of the hearings on November 21. After the declaration that all hearings are concluded, the evaluation letters will be made public.

Members of the European Parliament are set to vote on the complete group of Commissioners. This vote, which requires a majority of the votes cast and will be conducted via roll-call, is planned for the plenary session in Strasbourg from November 25th to 28th.

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Discussion with Executive Vice-President Nominee Henna Virkkunen

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On Tuesday night, members of the Industry and Internal Market Committees interviewed Henna Virkkunen, the Finnish nominee for the role overseeing Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy.

In her opening remarks, Henna Virkkunen expressed her commitment to enhancing the European Union's autonomy in the digital realm, fortifying the security of essential digital infrastructure, and boosting competitiveness. She outlined her strategies to advance innovation and funding in cutting-edge technologies, guarantee a secure and equitable online environment, bridge the digital skills divide, streamline regulatory processes, and amplify research investment.

Independence and protection in technology

The nominated Commissioner pledged to bolster both investment and innovation in the realm of cyber defense, aiming to safeguard the EU's vital infrastructure against hybrid threats. Ms. Virkkunen backed the concept of establishing a genuine defense union and highlighted the necessity of collaborative investments, with further information anticipated in a forthcoming defense white paper. She announced that a cybersecurity action plan will be unveiled shortly and emphasized that member states must thoroughly implement current cybersecurity regulations and enhance the security of crucial infrastructure.

When discussing the EU's goal to enhance its technological self-reliance, particularly in cloud services, Ms. Virkkunen outlined her commitment to drawing researchers to Europe, boosting private sector funding, and improving the skills of professionals. This is part of a larger plan aimed at achieving the EU's digital decade goals and providing secure, high-speed internet access. She noted that the digital networks act would streamline processes and guarantee fast internet for everyone, while the cloud and AI development act is designed to increase investments in cloud infrastructure for businesses. Additional key areas she highlighted include expanding semiconductor manufacturing within the EU, advancing the EU Space industrial strategy, and developing quantum computing capabilities.

Backing the shift to digital technology

Regarding artificial intelligence, Ms. Virkkunen promised to quickly put the AI Act into action. To position Europe as "the AI continent" capable of drawing top talent, she plans to introduce an AI factories initiative within her first 100 days in office. Additionally, she aims to draft a cloud and AI development act to encourage energy-efficient computing, expand business capabilities, and drive innovation. Enhancing industrial applications of AI will be a key focus, she mentioned when asked about AI’s ability to enhance services such as healthcare.

Numerous Members of the European Parliament raised concerns about how the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) will be enforced, focusing on issues like the negative impact of social media, safeguarding online freedom of speech, and preventing the sale of illegal goods from other countries. Ms. Virkkunen emphasized that one of her main goals is to ensure children's safety on the internet. She promised to introduce a plan to combat cyberbullying and to examine widespread dangers, such as algorithms that can lead to addiction. She clarified that the DSA's purpose is to eliminate unlawful content and give users the power to protect their rights online. She also underscored the importance of collaborating with allies on digital policy and pointed out that digital regulations are applicable to any company wishing to do business within the EU.

Ms. Virkkunen responded to questions from Members of the European Parliament regarding freedom of expression and basic rights. She emphasized the forthcoming Democracy Shield initiative, stressed the necessity of combating foreign meddling and false information, and underlined the significance of having a diverse media landscape.

The complete video of the hearing is available for viewing here. Following the hearing, Ms. Virkkunen addressed the media outside the meeting room, and that can be watched here.

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The leaders and political coordinators of both committees will convene promptly to evaluate the qualifications and performance of the person nominated for the role of Executive Vice-President.

Following the suggestions made by the committee, the Conference of Presidents, including EP President Metsola and the leaders of political groups, is scheduled to carry out the concluding assessment and officially conclude the hearings on November 21. After the Conference of Presidents finalizes the closure of all hearings, the evaluation letters will be made public.

Members of the European Parliament are set to vote on the complete group of Commissioners, requiring a majority of votes in a roll-call format. This election is planned for the plenary session in Strasbourg, happening from November 25 to 28.

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Baptiste Chatain

Janne Ojamo

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Press conference for this week's full assembly

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Today at 2:30 PM, representatives for the European Parliament will conduct a final briefing regarding the plenary session scheduled for November 13th and 14th.

Date and Time: Wednesday, November 13th at 2

Location: Anna Politkovskaya Press Room in Brussels and through Interactio

The main subjects covered in this plenary session are:

English and French translations of the press briefing will be offered.

Journalists who want to engage and pose questions should join through Interactio by accessing this link: https://ep.interactio.eu/uw5m-71vf-mi2k

The event will be broadcasted live starting at 14:30 on Wednesday, available either in the Anna Politkovskaya press room within Parliament or through Parliament's webstreaming service and EbS+.

Media Advisory – Submit Questions via Interactio

Interactio can be accessed on an iPad using Safari, as well as on Mac and Windows computers through Google Chrome.

While logging in, please fill in the fields for first name and last name with your name and the media outlet you represent.

To enhance audio clarity, it is recommended to utilize both headphones and a microphone. Video is essential for interpreting any contributions.

Reporters unfamiliar with Interactio are requested to log in half an hour prior to the press event to conduct a connection test. Technical support is available if needed.

Once you are connected, access the chat window located in the upper right corner to view the service messages.

For additional information, please review the guidelines and advice provided for remote presenters regarding connectivity.

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Delphine COLARD

Neil CORLETT

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