Boris Johnson announces aid ban on overseas coal mining
Boris Johnson announces ban on UK government investment in overseas coal mining as he urges African countries to invest in post-Brexit Britain when border control will put ‘people before passports’
- Boris Johnson addressed UK Africa Investment Summit in London this morning
- He announced a ban on UK aid being given to coal mining or coal power plants
- Also called for improved business links between Africa and Britain after Brexit
Boris Johnson today announced the UK government will no longer invest in overseas coal mining or coal power plants.
The Prime Minister said ‘not another penny of UK taxpayers’ money will be directly invested in digging up coal or burning it for electricity’ as he set out proposals to shake up Britain’s aid budget.
Mr Johnson made the comments at a UK Africa Investment Summit in central London as he urged African nations to do more business with Britain.
He set out his belief that the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system would enable closer links between Britain and Africa because border control will change to put ‘people before passports’.
Boris Johnson spent time at the UK Africa Investment Summit today. He is pictured visiting a company which converts footsteps into energy
Mr Johnson appeared to be in good spirits as he had a go on the smart flooring system
The footsteps technology was located in the innovation zone at the summit which is designed to boost Africa UK relations
Mr Johnson said the UK government will no longer provide any direct support for thermal coal mining or coal power plants overseas.
He argued it would make no sense for such investment to continue given the efforts the UK has made to clean up its own energy production.
He said: ‘There is no point in the UK reducing the amount of coal we burn if we then trundle over to Africa and line our pockets by encouraging African states to use more of it.
‘We all breathe the same air, we live beneath the same sky, we all suffer when carbon emissions rise and the planet warms.
‘So from today the British government will no longer provide any new direct official development assistance… for thermal coal mining or coal power plants overseas.
‘To put it simply not another penny of UK taxpayers’ money will be directly invested in digging up coal or burning it for electricity.’
Mr Johnson sought to use the summit as an opportunity to enhance business links between Britain and Africa after Brexit.
He said the UK has ‘no divine right to that business’ but urged African leaders to listen to ‘what we have to offer’.
Mr Johnson had earlier used a speech at the summit to announce a ban on UK government investment in overseas coal mining
The Prime Minister met Prince Harry on the the margins of the summit in London after delivering his address this morning
He said the UK is the ‘ultimate one stop shop for the ambitious, growing international economy’ before telling the summit his new Australian-style points-based immigration system would help improve relations.
‘One thing is changing: Our immigration system,’ he said.
‘I know that it is an issue which people have raised with me in the past but change is coming and our system is becoming fairer and more equal as between all our global friends and partners, treating people the same wherever they come from.
‘By putting people before passports we will be able to attract the best talent from around the world wherever they may be.’
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