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?

» Friday, July 5, 2013

Boris Johnson

Asked whether the PM thinks Boris Johnson had anyone in mind when he said that he didn?t think politicians should stick around for too long, the PMS explained that the question would be better directed to the Mayor of London. original source.

» Thursday, July 4, 2013

Labour and party funding

Asked whether the PM is a fan of the Drenge (a musical band) the PMS said that he has not discussed this with the PM. Asked whether the PM is disappointed that there has been no progress on party funding for two years, the PMS explained that the Coalition Agreement has contained an ambition to […]

» Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Economy

Asked if the Prime Minister agreed with the Cabinet Secretary that economic recovery would take 20 years, the Prime Minister?s Spokesperson (PMS) made clear that the economy was on the road to recovery but it would take time to recuperate from the deficit. Asked whether the Prime Minister is worried about the Portuguese economy, the […]

Press regulation

Asked if the Prime Minister was concerned that the royal charter on press regulation was being postponed the PMS said that an alternative royal charter had been proposed by the press industry, but the charter needed full and thorough consideration which was currently underway. original source.

Mayor of London

Asked if the Prime Minister is happy to hear Boris Johnson is considering a third term as Mayor, the PMS said the PM thinks Boris Johnson is doing an excellent job and long may he continue. Asked if that means the Prime Minister thinks he should run for office a third time, the PMS said […]

» Monday, July 1, 2013

Economic recovery

Asked whether the Prime Minister had talked down the economy, the PMS made clear the Prime Minister agreed with the assessment the Chancellor gave to the House of Commons at last week?s Spending Review ? the economy is out of intensive care but there was still work to be done. original source.

MPs? pay and the cost of politics

Asked whether the Prime Minister would turn down a pay rise, the PMS said that the Prime Minister?s view is clear: the overall cost of politics must come down and the government made its submission to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), saying that we would expect them to take the fiscal situation into account […]

» Friday, June 28, 2013

Energy demand

Questioned on how the government planned to ensure there was enough electricity to supply UK households, the PMS made clear that the lights would not go out and the government was committed to making sure there was enough electricity available. Asked if the government rejected the idea of compensation being paid to companies if power […]

» Thursday, June 27, 2013

Prisoner voting

Asked what the PM thought of lawyers contacting prisoners over prisoner voting compensation claims, the PMS said that the PM?s stance on prisoner voting was well known and remained unchanged. original source.

Progression pay

Asked about plans to end progression pay, the PMS said the Chancellor had set out clear examples of where quite high incremental changes could happen and the problems this could cause. He said the Prime Minister supported the Spending Review and issues around progression pay that the Chancellor had set out. original source.

» Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Migrant bonds

Asked about the Home Office?s proposals to introduce a pilot for migrant bonds, the PMS said the details of the pilot would be published in due course by the Home Office. He said the government were looking at a range of measures and bonds were one option being considered around dealing, in a targeted way, […]

Hacking/Leveson

Asked if the Prime Minister was concerned that government agencies might have hacked mobile phones, the PMS said that all government agencies operated in accordance with a strict legal and policy framework. Questioned on whether police should look into the Serious and Organised Crime Agency?s report, the PMS made clear that the allegations of illegal […]

» Thursday, June 20, 2013

Care Quality Commission

Asked whether police were investigations allegations of a cover up by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the PMS said that this would be a matter for the police. More widely, he made the point that it was absolutely right that the Health Secretary was asking the CQC to report back to him about how individuals […]

Saatchi

Asked about Charles Saatchi?s behaviour towards his wife, the PMS said it was an issue for the police. More widely, he made clear that domestic violence was appalling and should be condemned in the strongest terms. original source.

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