The Minister of Economy and Labour represented Bermuda this week at the UK Labour Party Conference, where he focused on strengthening co-operation between the countries at a political level.

Jason Hayward was supported by the Government of Bermuda’s London Office and talks were held around the promotion of sustainable economic growth and development, co-operation for investment, trade opportunities and developing skill sets for the workforce.

He said: “The Government of Bermuda and a new Labour Government share a set of core values centred around people-first governance, social protections and wellbeing, and ensuring economic opportunities are created so that citizens may prosper leading to a greater quality of life.

“The Government’s attendance to the Labour Party Conference is a key opportunity to promote Bermuda’s value proposition internationally, reinforce our partnership with the UK, highlight our growth and development, and leverage strategic partnerships globally for the progression of Bermuda’s business and people.”

The Government reported that Mr Hayward had high-level engagement with Stephen Doughty, the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, with whom he reinforced matters of interest related to Bermuda ahead of the Joint Ministerial Council in November.

Mr Hayward also joined an event facilitated by “Labour in the City”, which focused on how the financial services industry can partner with labour governments to stimulate economic growth.

He had discussions with Gareth Thomas, the Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports at the Department for Business and Trade, that covered economic co-operation opportunities related to small enterprises and entrepreneurship.

The Government said that as part of Mr Hayward’s economic development priorities, he held productive discussions with Justin Madders, Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets at the Department for Business and Trade.

It added: “These discussions included expanding rights pertaining to workers, highlighting the need to continue to progress workers’ rights, supporting the expansion of trade unions and exploring opportunities for further collaboration between the Government of Bermuda and the UK Department for Business and Trade.

“We are encouraged that the UK Department for Business and Trade is keen to enhance engagement with the Government of Bermuda through the London Office.”

Mr Hayward also held a meeting with Baroness Hodge of Barking to reinforce Bermuda’s good standing regarding financial transparency and the Government of Bermuda’s commitment to tackling illicit finance and anti-corruption.

The Government said: “As part of diplomatic outreach, minister Hayward took the opportunity to further foster Middle East engagement, meeting with Bahrain Ambassador, H.E. Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Khalifa, to explore avenues for enhancing economic co-operation and dialogue.

“Together they emphasised the importance of collaboration in unlocking new opportunities for growth.

“Through relationships already established, the UK representative for the Government of Bermuda, Ms Kimberley Durrant, presented the head of the Palestine Mission to the United Kingdom, H.E. Dr Husam Zomlot, to minister Hayward.

“His Excellency briefed the minister directly on developments impacting Palestine.”

The Bermuda Government delegation was invited by the Labour Party to hear directly from Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Luke Pollard, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence, in a private setting for diplomats and officials about the British Government’s foreign policy agenda.

The Government added: “This setting afforded minister Hayward the opportunity to hold bilaterals with foreign governments and the wider diplomatic corps.”

The delegation led by Mr Hayward also included Brandon Sousa, deputy UK representative.

To gain experience through the London Office internship programme, Sergio Griffin Jr and Isabelle Perry accompanied the representatives.