Downing Street Says ... Every day the Prime Minister’s Spokesman meets a small coterie of political journalists known as ‘the lobby’ for a topical chat, or ‘briefing’.

Every day the Prime Minister's Spokesman meets a small coterie of political journalists known as 'the lobby' for a topical chat, or 'briefing'.

Downing Street Says... is an unofficial site that lets you read summaries of these briefings and add your own comments. Want to know more?

» Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Morning press briefing from 29 February 2012

Wednesday 29 February 2012 Reading, work experience and Argentina were among the topics discussed at this press briefing session. Reading Asked what the Prime Minister’s (PM) favourite book was, the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) said he did not know off-hand but that his favourite children’s book was The Lorax by Dr Seuss. Work experience Asked […]

» Monday, February 27, 2012

Afternoon press briefing from 27 February 2012

Monday 27 February 2012 NHS Reform and the Budget were among the topics discussed at this press briefing session. NHS Reforms Asked, what the Prime Minister (PM) thought of the Deputy Prime Minister’s (DPM) letter to Lib Dem peers and whether he was consulted on it, the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) said he was aware […]

Morning press briefing from 27 February 2012

Monday 27 February 2012 The Health Bill, Wind Energy and Lords Reform were among the topics discussed at this press briefing session. Megrahi Asked whether the PM had any comment on the publication of a book about Al Megrahi, the PMS said that the PM’s position on Al Megrahi was clear. Al Mehagri was convicted […]

» Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Morning press briefing from 22 February 2012

Wednesday 22 February 2012 Football discrimination, Somalia, Health Bill and A4E contract were among the topics discussed at this press briefing session. Football Discrimination Asked whether the PM believed there should be harsher penalties for racism on the football pitch, the PMS said that the law applied on and off the football pitch. Asked why […]

» Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Morning press briefing from 21 February 2012

Tuesday 21 February 2012 NHS reforms, Greek deal and Ministry of Justice were among the topics discussed at this press briefing session. Greek Deal Asked for the Prime Minister’s (PM’s) view of the Greek bail out deal, the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) said that the Chancellor had already responded to that announcement. We’d been saying […]

» Monday, February 20, 2012

Morning press briefing from 20 Feb 2012

Friday 2 March 2012 The Health Bill, UKBA report and Scotland were among the topics discussed at this press briefing session. Health Bill Asked who was attending the Downing Street meeting on NHS reform of that day, the PMS said that a list of attendees would be provided after the meeting but a number of […]

» Monday, February 13, 2012

Morning press briefing from 13 Feb 2012

Monday 13 February 2012 Greece, Scotland and public sector bonuses were among the topics discussed at this press briefing session. Greece Asked what the PM thought of the Greek vote on new austerity measures, the PMOS said that it would be unhelpful to comment given the Government have not been part of the bailout solution […]

» Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Morning press briefing from 8 Feb 2012

Wednesday 8 February 2012 The Falkland Islands, Syria and Business in the UK were discussed at this press briefing session. Syria Asked whether the Foreign Secretary had held talks with the Russian Foreign Secretary and the Qatari PM on Syria, the PMOS said that the Foreign Secretary had held talks with the Qatari PM but […]

» Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Morning Press Briefing from 31 January 2012

Friday 3 February 2012 Press briefing on the Cabinet, Queen’s speech, economy, Informal European Council, bankers’ bonuses, welfare reform bill and the Falklands original source.

Cabinet

The Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) told the assembled press that the morning’s Cabinet had included: Discussion of the economy, including an update from the Chancellor An update from the Prime Minister on the Informal European Council meeting in the Hague Discussion of plans for the next parliamentary session and of a draft legislative programme original […]

Queen’s Speech

The PMS informed journalists that the Cabinet had discussed a draft legislative programme for the next session of Parliament. This programme would prioritise legislation essential for deficit reduction and take account of particular priorities under the Coalition agreement, including growth. The programme had already been discussed by the relevant Cabinet committee and by the Coalition […]

Economy

The PMS informed the assembled journalists that the Chancellor’s update to Cabinet on the economy had covered subjects including what is happening in the Eurozone, in the markets, the latest data for the UK, followed by a broad discussion of the economic situation. The Chancellor had suggested further Cabinet discussion in the near future to […]

Informal European Council

Asked about the Prime Minister’s update to Cabinet on the Informal European Council meeting in Brussels, the PMS said it was in two main parts, regarding: 1. Growth and competitiveness2. The intergovernmental agreement on fiscal union. On the former, the Prime Minister had said there was positive discussion on matters including SMEs, jobs, and youth […]

Bankers’ bonuses

Asked if there had been any discussion in Cabinet of bankers’ bonuses, the PMS said there had been no substantive debate on the subject. original source.

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