Saudi Arabia has approved two new programs that would enhance bilateral relations with the UK, despite recent tensions between the two countries.

The Council of Ministers on Monday approved a program that would provide training to Saudi citizens to enable them to work in the units of British industries in the kingdom, Minister of Social Affairs and Acting Minister of Culture and Information Majed Al Qasabi said, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.

The council also authorised discussions with the UK over a cooperation program between the Saudi industry ministry and the United Kingdom Trade and Investment.

The agreements come despite recent tensions amid concerns for human rights in the kingdom.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond travelled to Riyadh at the end of last week to discuss the feud with King Salman and on Saturday publicly insisted the relationship remained strong.

"You do not get an audience with the king of Saudi Arabians if the Saudi Arabians are cross with you," Hammond told The Telegraph. "The fact that I was received the way I was sends a very powerful signal.”

A week earlier, British Justice Secretary Michael Gove cancelled a bid for a $9.1 million training contract for Saudi prisons, in what was viewed as retaliation for a Saudi court sentencing British retiree Karl Andree to 350 lashes after he was caught in Jeddah with homemade alcohol in his car.

Prime Minister David Cameron also has personally raised the case of Ali Mohammed Al Nimr, a Shia activist sentenced to death by beheading and crucifixion for taking part in protests when he was 17-years-old, and the Prince of Wales has raised the case of Raif Badawi, a blogger who has been sentenced to 1,000 lashes, with the Saudi royal family.

The interference by Britain has irritated Saudi Arabia. Saudi ambassador to London, Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Saud, said in an opinion piece last week, there would be “potentially serious repercussions” for the two countries’ relationship unless a more respectful discourse developed.

Hammond told The Telegraph Saudi authorities understood that criticism was to be expected in a country that did not control its media and human rights groups.

"They understand our system is different from theirs," he said. "It doesn't mean they are not sometimes irritated."