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Alok Sharma MP

Alok Sharma MP

Conservative MP for Reading West and Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Cutting our methane emissions could position the United Kingdom as an environmental leader
Environment
By Geraint Davies MP
Cutting our methane emissions could position the United Kingdom as an environmental leader
The United Kingdom will imminently hand over the reins of the COP presidency to Egypt, but the events of recent weeks have hardly reassured the international community of the government’s commitment to leadership on fighting climate change and biodiversity loss.
COP Out – The Alok Sharma Interview
Environment
By Isabella Kaminski
COP Out – The Alok Sharma Interview
A year ago, Alok Sharma was preparing to corral thousands of diplomats into a conference centre in Glasgow, where they would try to thrash out a way of tackling the climate crisis while furthering their own domestic ambitions – a seemingly impossible task.
Alok Sharma Says China And India Will 'Have To Explain Themselves' After Watering Down COP26 Coal Commitments
Environment
Alok Sharma Says China And India Will "Have To Explain Themselves" After Watering Down COP26 Coal Commitments
COP26 President Alok Sharma has remarked that China and India “are going to have to explain themselves” to climate-vulnerable countries after the two states demanded a watering down of global commitments to ending coal use in the Glasgow climate pact.
Climate Activists Stage Mass COP26 Walkout Over 'Failed' Efforts From World Leaders
Environment
Climate Activists Stage Mass COP26 Walkout Over "Failed" Efforts From World Leaders
Hundreds of climate activists have left the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow over opposition to the latest version of the draft deal released on Friday.
Ed Miliband Says Ministers' 'Flirting' With New Coal Mine Project Is Undermining COP26 Progress
Environment
Ed Miliband Says Ministers' "Flirting" With New Coal Mine Project Is Undermining COP26 Progress
Ed Miliband, the shadow energy secretary, has accused the government of "double speak and double standards" after they announced a series of commitments at COP26 to reduce the use of coal despite "flirting" with a new UK-based colliery.
Boris Johnson: If Glasgow Fails, The Paris Agreement Will Have 'Crumpled At The First Reckoning'
Environment
Boris Johnson: If Glasgow Fails, The Paris Agreement Will Have "Crumpled At The First Reckoning"
Boris Johnson has sounded a note of extreme urgency to the world ahead of the COP26 summit, telling a press conference: "If Glasgow fails, then the whole thing fails."
COP26 Faces A Chaotic Start – But Number 10 Seems Confident They Can Win On Ambition Alone
Environment
COP26 Faces A Chaotic Start – But Number 10 Seems Confident They Can Win On Ambition Alone
COP26, a landmark climate change summit that is due to begin in Glasgow tomorrow, could prove to be a legacy-defining moment for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Everything You Need To Know About The COP26 Climate Summit
Environment
Everything You Need To Know About The COP26 Climate Summit
The COP26 climate summit has been billed as the last chance for global leaders make vital changes to tackle climate change and rising temperatures.

Here's what you need to know before the event kicks off in Glasgow on Sunday.
Alok Sharma: COP26 is a chance to amplify the voices of vulnerable countries
Environment
By Isabella Kaminski
Alok Sharma: COP26 is a chance to amplify the voices of vulnerable countries
As President of COP26, Alok Sharma tells Isabella Kaminski he is anticipating a game of “multi-dimensional chess” to wrangle nearly 200 parties towards a global climate deal in Glasgow.
Alok Sharma Has Insisted The UK's Gas Supplies Are 'Secure' As Fears Grow Over Food Shortages
Economy
Alok Sharma Has Insisted The UK's Gas Supplies Are "Secure" As Fears Grow Over Food Shortages
The COP26 President said there was "no immediate concerns" over the UK's gas supplies despite soaring wholesale energy costs.
Ministers Accused Of 'Dithering' Over COP26 Plans After Failing To Confirm ‘Virtual’ Attendance
Environment
Ministers Accused Of "Dithering" Over COP26 Plans After Failing To Confirm ‘Virtual’ Attendance
Exclusive: The government has been urged to urgently clarify whether attendees will be able to join the COP26 summit virtually as visa deadlines loom.
We have less than 200 days to make COP26 a success – and save the planet
Coronavirus
By Alok Sharma MP
We have less than 200 days to make COP26 a success – and save the planet
There are less than 200 days to go before the UK brings world leaders to Glasgow for COP26 – the most crucial climate moment since the historic Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 – and every one of those days counts.
Labour Analysis Shows Hospitality Businesses Will Get Less Financial Support Than In The First Lockdown
Coronavirus
Labour Analysis Shows Hospitality Businesses Will Get Less Financial Support Than In The First Lockdown
Five out of six hospitality businesses will miss out on the largest £9,000 grants to help them get thought the latest lockdown, analysis by the Labour party suggests.
Kwasi Kwarteng Has Been Appointed Business Secretary, Replacing Alok Sharma
Environment
Kwasi Kwarteng Has Been Appointed Business Secretary, Replacing Alok Sharma
Kwasi Kwarteng has been appointed the UK's new business secretary. His predecessor Alok Sharma will concentrate on overseeing the COP26 global climate change summit full time.
A Senior Minister Ducked Questions On The Chaos At No 10 After The UK Reported Its Highest Ever Number Of New Covid Cases
Coronavirus
A Senior Minister Ducked Questions On The Chaos At No 10 After The UK Reported Its Highest Ever Number Of New Covid Cases
The business secretary Alok Sharma repeatedly refused to discuss the resignation of the Downing Street’s director of communications Lee Cain at today’s press briefing after it sparked a war of words in Westminster.
Coronavirus: MPs say economic impact of lockdown not shared evenly despite 'all in it together' claims
Coronavirus
Coronavirus: MPs say economic impact of lockdown not shared evenly despite 'all in it together' claims
The economic impact of the coronavirus lockdown has not been shared evenly, despite the Government's claims "we are all in it together", a cross-party group of MPs has said.
Ministers strike two more coronavirus vaccine deals as public urged to sign up for clinical trials
Coronavirus
Ministers strike two more coronavirus vaccine deals as public urged to sign up for clinical trials
Britain has secured early access to 90 million potential coronavirus vaccine doses, the Government has announced, amid a fresh call for the public to sign up for clinical trials.
Ministers promise ‘power surge’ to devolved nations after Brexit amid bitter row with Scotland and Wales
Political parties
Ministers promise ‘power surge’ to devolved nations after Brexit amid bitter row with Scotland and Wales
The UK Government has unveiled plans to allow trading to continue “freely across all four corners of the UK” after Brexit, amid a bitter row with the administrations in Scotland and Wales.
Government in new research and development push after Boris Johnson vows to make UK a 'scientific superpower'
Health
Government in new research and development push after Boris Johnson vows to make UK a 'scientific superpower'
Ministers have unveiled plans to “rejuvenate” research and development in Britain following Boris Johnson's pledge to make the UK a "scientific superpower".
Coronavirus vaccine hope as potentially ‘game-changing‘ government-backed candidate enters human trials
Coronavirus
Coronavirus vaccine hope as potentially ‘game-changing‘ government-backed candidate enters human trials
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has heaped praise on the “ingenuity and tenacity of Britain’s researchers” as he confirmed that human trials have started on one of two government-backed coronavirus vaccine candidates.
Shops given green light to reopen to help high streets ‘spring back to life’, Alok Sharma confirms
Coronavirus
Shops given green light to reopen to help high streets ‘spring back to life’, Alok Sharma confirms
Non-essential shops will be able to reopen in England next week in a bid to help high streets “spring back to life”, Alok Sharma has confirmed.
Coronavirus: Ministers draft in business chiefs for economic recovery plan as Boris Johnson ‘eyes July relaunch speech’
Coronavirus
Coronavirus: Ministers draft in business chiefs for economic recovery plan as Boris Johnson ‘eyes July relaunch speech’
The Government is drafting in business leaders and top academics in a bid to help the UK weather the economic storm caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Breakfast Briefing: Sharma tests negative, Labour sets out welfare stall PLUS Ben Wallace in schools row with Tory council
Coronavirus
The Breakfast Briefing: Sharma tests negative, Labour sets out welfare stall PLUS Ben Wallace in schools row with Tory council
Your comprehensive morning guide to what’s happening in Westminster
Business Secretary Alok Sharma ‘grateful’ for support after he tests negative for coronavirus
Coronavirus
Business Secretary Alok Sharma ‘grateful’ for support after he tests negative for coronavirus
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has tested negative for coronavirus.
Alok Sharma had 45-minute meeting with Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak before self-isolating, Number 10 confirms
Coronavirus
Alok Sharma had 45-minute meeting with Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak before self-isolating, Number 10 confirms
Business Secretary Alok Sharma held a 45-minute meeting with Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak before he went into self-isolation with Covid-19 symptoms, Downing Street has confirmed.
The Breakfast Briefing: Cabinet minister Alok Sharma self-isolates amid anger over Commons return
Coronavirus
The Breakfast Briefing: Cabinet minister Alok Sharma self-isolates amid anger over Commons return
Your essential morning guide to what’s moving in Westminster from the PoliticsHome team.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma tested for coronavirus after feeling ill while speaking in Parliament
Coronavirus
Business Secretary Alok Sharma tested for coronavirus after feeling ill while speaking in Parliament
The Business Secretary Alok Sharma is self-isolating at home after feeling ill while speaking in the House of Commons.
The Breakfast Briefing: Have ministers made a rod for their backs with 30m vaccines pledge?
Coronavirus
The Breakfast Briefing: Have ministers made a rod for their backs with 30m vaccines pledge?
Your morning guide to what’s moving in Westminster from the PoliticsHome team
UK could have 30 million doses of coronavirus vaccine by September, claims Government
Coronavirus
UK could have 30 million doses of coronavirus vaccine by September, claims Government
Around half of the UK population could have access to a vaccine against coronavirus by September, the Government has claimed.
The Breakfast Briefing: Rishi Sunak’s next move on furloughing, Boris Johnson’s baby steps - and another Tory BBC row
Coronavirus
The Breakfast Briefing: Rishi Sunak’s next move on furloughing, Boris Johnson’s baby steps - and another Tory BBC row
Your essential guide to what’s moving in Westminster this morning from the PoliticsHome team
Boost for Government as unions throw weight behind back-to-work rules telling bosses to do Covid-19 checks
Coronavirus
Boost for Government as unions throw weight behind back-to-work rules telling bosses to do Covid-19 checks
New government guidance ordering bosses to redesign workplaces, stagger start times and publish coronavirus risk assessments to get people back to work have won the support of the TUC.
UK’s COP26 climate summit shelved for a year amid coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus
UK’s COP26 climate summit shelved for a year amid coronavirus outbreak
The COP26 climate talks have been postponed until 2021 amid the “unprecedented global challenge” of the coronavirus outbreak, ministers have announced.
Government warns banks not to withhold vital funds from businesses struggling due to coronavirus
Coronavirus
Government warns banks not to withhold vital funds from businesses struggling due to coronavirus
A senior Cabinet minister has warned banks it would be "unacceptable" if they withheld cash from businesses struggling to survive during the coronavirus crisis.
Coronavirus: Cutting off of pay-as-you-go energy meters suspended for customers in financial distress, ministers announce
Coronavirus
Coronavirus: Cutting off of pay-as-you-go energy meters suspended for customers in financial distress, ministers announce
The cutting off of pay-as-you-go energy meters will be "completely suspended" for hard-up customers who ask for help during the coronavirus crisis, ministers have announced.
We need to boost infrastructure projects to help lift countries out of poverty
Foreign affairs
By Alok Sharma MP
We need to boost infrastructure projects to help lift countries out of poverty

Alongside the lifesaving work of UK aid, we can offer technical expertise to develop self-sustainable and growing economies, writes Alok Sharma MP
Our ethnic minority employment rate is still stuck in the eighties
Economy
By Alok Sharma MP
Our ethnic minority employment rate is still stuck in the eighties

Employment Minister Alok Sharma warns that when it comes to BAME employment Britain is "still a place where inequality is all too real".