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, July 17, 2013

Minimum pricing

Asked whether the PM is sad to see that minimum pricing will not go ahead, the PMS said that the government is banning sales of alcohol below the level of alcohol duty plus VAT, taking action to deal with the problems that have been seen with very cheap alcohol promotion. Asked why the PM has […]

Arms sales

Asked if the PM would take another look at who the UK trades arms with, the PMS said the government already has one of most rigorous arms exports controls in the world. NHS Asked if the PM apologises for a smear campaign against Andy Burnham, the PMS did not accept the premise of the question […]

» Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Health

Asked whether the PM has been influenced by Lynton Crosby on cigarette packaging, the PMS said that Lynton Crosby does not provide advice to government, he does election strategy for the Conservative party. Asked about health ministers? meetings with tobacco companies, the PMS said that ministers? meetings are published and referred the lobby to the […]

Ministerial interests

Asked why the government hasn?t published the ministerial register of interests, the PMS said it would be published shortly reflecting the interests of current ministers. NHS Asked if the PM holds any Labour ministers responsible for unnecessary deaths in the upcoming Keogh review, the PMS said it was right that we wait for the publication. […]

» Monday, July 15, 2013

Education

Asked what the PM hopes to achieve from the educational review for 16 to 18 year olds, the PMS said that the ambition that sits at the heart of this and at the heart of all education initiatives is that we want to do everything we can to ensure children can fulfil their own ambitions. […]

Lynton Crosby

Asked if the PM would welcome the publication of Lynton Crosby?s lobbying interests, the PMS replied that this government is committed to transparency in third party interests on politics which is why this week we are publishing the lobbying bill with a statutory register of lobbyists. Asked if Lynton Crosby had disclosed who his other […]

» Friday, July 12, 2013

Taxes

Asked if the PM would like to repeat the Chancellor?s words on tax rises being limited, the PMS said that the Chancellor was setting out a post-election fiscal position. The PMS said that the PM supports the work the Chancellor is doing in this area. original source.

» Thursday, July 11, 2013

Coalition

Asked whether the PM agrees with the Chancellor?s enthusiasm for the Coalition, the PMS referred the lobby to the press statements at the time about the decisions taken to have a strong and stable government. original source.

statistics on children born out of wedlock

Asked about ONS statistics showing the number of children born out of wedlock, the PMS said the PM was a big believer in marriage and that all families bringing up children needed support. Asked whether a marriage tax allowance could reverse the trend, the PMS said there were 2 points to make. Firstly, the PM […]

» Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Wimbledon

Asked for an explanation for the PM congratulating Andy Murray as the first ?player? to win Wimbledon in 77 years, the PMS explained that in the course of the PM?s enthusiasm, he used the word ?player? rather than ?man?. original source.

Whitehall water supply

Asked whether there have been problems with the water at Downing Street, the PMS said that there were problems last night in the Whitehall area. original source.

» Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Libor

Asked whether the ?loss? of Libor to New York is just the beginning of French, Germans and US ?getting their hands? on public services, the PMS said he does not agree that this is what is happening. He said that the government has put measures in place, including a criminal offence for making misleading statements […]

Second jobs for MPs

Asked if the PM had any views on whether there should be a cap on second jobs for MPs, the PMS replied that when it came to rules of Parliament, it was a matter for the House. original source.

» Monday, July 8, 2013

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall

The PMS said the PM will send his very best wishes to the happy couple. original source.

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