Downing Street Says

Spending Review

blognumberten — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:45:59 +0000

Asked about the level of spending cuts that had been achieved by departments so far, ahead of the Spending Review, the PMS said that government would set out its budget for 2015 to 2016 on 26 June, and that the normal Spending Review process would be followed.

original source.

Lynton Crosby

blognumberten — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:45:59 +0000

Asked what the government?s position is on the register of lobbyists, the PMS said that it remained unchanged, and the government was committed to briefing it forward. Asked why the PM thinks it is important, the PMS said that the PM had previously set out the need for a clear and transparent process for lobbyists. Asked whether Lynton Crosby declare his clients, the PMS said that Lynton Crosby was an advisor to the Conservative party, providing political advice, rather than an advisor to government.

original source.

EU Bill

blognumberten — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:45:59 +0000

Asked what more can be done to get the EU Bill through, the PMS reiterated the point the PM had made that we will do what we can to get the Bill through, and that we will have the results of the Private Member?s Bill ballot tomorrow.

original source.

Police killers

blognumberten — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:45:59 +0000

Asked whether the PM supported the Home Secretary?s proposal for life sentences for those who kill police officers, the PMS said that the PM fully supported the Home Secretary.

original source.

All questions were on Europe

blognumberten — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:45:59 +0000

Asked whether the PM shouldn?t just amend the Queen?s Speech rather than allow a Private Member?s Bill on an EU referendum, the PMS said that the PM?s position on Europe remained clear: he wants to renegotiate Britain?s position within the EU and then offer a referendum. As the PM and DPM?s (Deputy Prime Minister) views on this matter differ the PM feels that this is best course of action.

Asked whether there would be time given to allow the Bill to be considered, the PMS said that the Bill would go through a Parliamentary process.

Asked when the PM came to the conclusion of a Bill, the PMS said that the PM was always happy to look at a range of measures to best demonstrate the strength of his commitment of renegotiating position in Europe and then giving the public the choice of staying in the EU.

Asked about the position on how Minister?s should vote on the amendment to the Queen?s Speech the PMS said that the position was that government ministers were to abstain.

Asked whether the PM should urge backbenchers to withdraw the amendment in lieu of the draft Bill, the PMS said that the PM remains happy to have this debate as it shines a light on his commitment to renegotiate our position on Europe to make it more open, flexible, and competitive and then put a renegotiated deal to the British public.

Asked whether the PM consulted with other EU leaders before going to the US to urge more trade with the EU, the PMS said that the PM had regular conversations with other EU leaders on a range of issues.

Asked whether the PM welcomed the support given by President Obama on the PM?s stance on Europe, the PMS said that the PM and President agree on a large number of issues and continue to work closely together.

original source.

Europe

blognumberten — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:45:59 +0000

Asked about the PM?s stance on an EU referendum, the PMS said that the PM?s position was clear. He was in favour of a reformed EU which was more open, more flexible and better for the UK. He would focus on reforming the EU before holding an in/out referendum on membership in 2017, if he was still PM.

On the upcoming Queen?s Speech amendment debate, the PMS said that ministers could abstain from the vote if they wished. The PM was happy that there was a spotlight on the referendum commitment he had made.

Asked whether the PM appreciated that the issue was influencing the debate over Scottish independence, the PMS said that there was an ongoing healthy debate in Scotland. The government was producing policy papers setting out the arguments in a number of key areas.

original source.

Spare room subsidy

blognumberten — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:54:06 +0000

Asked if the government should scrap the spare room subsidy bill the PMS said that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has made a written statement and the PM has made the fundamental point on a number of occasions during recent PMQ?s about the need to deal with a housing benefit bill that has gone up 50% in real terms over the last decade and this is why this type of reform is so important.

Asked if there was a danger of a blacklash over spare room subsidy similar to the poll tax the PMS said that the government had explained the exemptions on a number of occasions. The PMS also made the wider point of the importance of the housing benefit reform due to the increase of housing benefit costs in recent years.

Asked if the Liberal Democrats were correct in saying it was pressure from them that resulted in these changes to bedroom subsidy the PMS said there has always been a very clear policy intention around exemptions and today?s statement was guidance on any doubt there may have been on the policy.

Asked if the government sees this as a u-turn or as a clarification the PMS said the government?s intentions have always been very clear around this policy, including right and proper exemptions and today?s statements have provided clarity in case there had been some doubts.

original source.

Economy

blognumberten — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:45:59 +0000

Asked whether the PM believed the UK could learn about economic growth from Latvia or Estonia, the PMS said that the PM believed the economy was healing. There were still some challenges facing the country, but we were on the right path and it was important we stuck to it.

original source.

Afghanistan

blognumberten — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:43:12 +0000

Asked if the PM would support the funding of a memorial to those service personnel that had died in Afghanistan, the PMOS said he hadn?t seen the Opposition?s proposals and so could not comment on the specifics. He said that the PM has made it very clear of his admiration for the incredible work and of course, tragically, sometimes, the sacrifice of British troops in Afghanistan. He and the Secretary of State for Defence had championed aspects of the military covenant.

The PMS said that the next lobby would be on Monday 29 April, followed by a lobby on the morning of Tuesday 7 May.

Russia and Syria

blognumberten — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:45:59 +0000

Questioned on the PM?s trip to Russia and discussions on Syria, the PMS said that the PM would meet President Putin ahead of the G8 meeting and would discuss a range of issues including Syria. Russia was an important part of the international community and was an important contributor regarding discussions on Syria. The UK was exploring all options as part of putting political pressure on the Assad regime. Asked about the use of chemical weapons, the PMS said he would not comment on intelligence issues, but the assessment was that chemical weapons were very likely to have been initiated by the regime. There was no evidence of rebel use.

IPSA

Asked to comment on the court proceedings IPSA were taking against Stewart Jackson MP, the PMS said that IPSA was independent. Any issue between IPSA and individual MPs was a matter between them.