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, June 18, 2014

European Commission

Asked whether the Prime Minister (PM) was concerned that Angela Merkel was pursuing Juncker?s appointment, the PMS replied that the PM?s view on the appointment process remained the same as set out in his op-ed from the weekend. original source.

China visit

The PMS answered several questions on the logistics of Premier Li?s visit. He advised that further details on which documents would be signed would be given to lobby ahead of the event that afternoon. He was asked what the role of the Development Secretary was at the conference and advised that the UK and China?s […]

» Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Orgreave miners? strike

Asked about investigations into the Orgreave miners? strike in the 1980s, the PMS said that there was an Independent Police Complaints Commission exercise underway. original source.

Education reforms

Asked about comments in the Times on education reforms, the PMS said that the Prime Minister was focused on the government?s long term economic plan ? of which education reforms and raising levels of attainment were an important part. original source.

Tibet

Asked about the government?s stance on Tibet, the PMS said the government respects China?s sovereignty and that the position remained unchanged. original source.

» Monday, June 16, 2014

Energy

Asked about the drop in wholesale prices and whether energy companies will pass on savings to customers, the PMS welcomed the fall in wholesale prices. These should be passed onto the customer. Concerns about how the market operates is why Ofgem is considering how the sector is referred to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). […]

Passports

Asked about the numbers of passport applications in the backlog the PMS referred to the Prime Minister?s words in the House of Commons earlier. The government would continue to monitor the situation carefully. The PM had explained that just under 30,000 straightforward applications currently in the system had taken longer than the 3 week target. […]

Iraq

Asked about whether the government would change its position on withdrawing troops from Afghanistan as a result of militants advancing in Iraq, the PMS said that the timetable of withdrawal had been set out and remained unchanged. When asked what support the UK was offering to Iraq the PMS said that the British government was […]

European referendum

Asked about the Private Member?s Bill on a European referendum the PMS confirmed that the Prime Minister welcomed it. original source.

» Friday, June 13, 2014

Europe

Asked about the European Commission?s intention to increase its budget, the PMS pointed out that this was an annual budget, which formed part of a 7 year spending period. And, as a result of negotiations led by the Prime Minister last year, the EU budget would fall in real terms over that period. Asked about […]

Mortgages

Asked whether the government has a view on what the bank lending rate for mortgages should be, the PMS said that these were decisions for banks to make. He added that the Prime Minister?s view on the housing market was one of vigilance and it was right that the government had set up the Financial […]

» Thursday, May 15, 2014

Football Association

Asked about Richard Scudamore, the PMS referred to comments made by Sports Minister Helen Grant. original source.

GlaxoSmithKline

Asked about allegations of bribery by a GlaxoSmithKline official in China, the PMS said that the government was aware of the allegations and was providing ongoing consular assistance to Mr Reilly, and that the government would continue to monitor developments closely. original source.

» Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Speech by President Barroso

Asked whether the PM welcomed a speech by President Barroso saying Britain should be treated differently within the EU, the PMS said the government had seen engagement from senior EU figures on the issue. The PM?s approach was that the EU should not follow a ?one size fits all? principle. original source.

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