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, February 1, 2013

Falklands

Asked whether the PM was disappointed that the Argentine Foreign Minister had pulled out of talks with the Foreign Secretary and the Falkland Islands, the PMS said that the PM was disappointed. The UK was not prepared to talk over the heads of the Falkland Islands on issues that directly impact them. The Falkland Islands […]

Bonuses

Asked for the PM’s view on Lord Lawson’s comments on RBS bonuses, the PMS said that she would not comment on speculation about bonuses, but our long-standing position on bonuses was that organisations should show restraint and they should reflect and reward good performance. Asked if the PM welcomed the fact named individuals had declined […]

Equal marriage

Asked if the PM will be speaking to colleagues ahead of Tuesday’s vote, the PMS reminded journalists that while the PM supported the bill and would be encouraging others, it was a free vote.

Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)

Asked whether the PM had any concerns over the IPCC’s resources, the PMS said that the Government was making sweeping reforms to the police force, and the IPCC had a key role to play.The Home Office were working to ensure the organisation had the powers and resources it needed to manage the challenges it was […]

Pensioners’ benefits

Asked if pensioners’ benefits had not been protected like other areas in the Spending Review, the PMS referred journalists to the Treasury who were leading on the Spending Review process. Asked specifically if the PM was committed to protecting the benefits of pensioners, the PMS said that the Government was doing a lot to help […]

Immigration

Asked whether the PM was content with the tone of the debate around the free movement of people in the EU and specifically about the Bulgarians and Romanians, the PMS said our position was that we welcomed the brightest and best if it contributed to our economy, but we did not support abuses of the […]

» Thursday, January 31, 2013

Press briefing – afternoon 31 January 2013

Thursday 31 January 2013 The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on Libya, Mali, defence spending and the EU

Libya

The PMS provided an update on the Prime Minister’s visit to Libya, where he has visited a police training college, met local people in Tripoli’s Martyrs’ Square and had bi-lateral meetings with the Libyan Prime Minister and President. The focus of the visit was to discuss security, and there has been an agreement for the […]

Mali

Asked if Parliament should authorise the deployment of troops to Mali, the PMS underlined the point that British troops were being offered in a training role, not a combat role. Discussions about our offer were ongoing and no decisions had been made on numbers or duration.

Defence spending

Asked when the defence spending increase that the PM has expressed a desire to see would start, the PMS said that the PM, in his comments made in 2010, were very clear: he had said beyond 2015″. The PMS added that the PM’s comments were a matter of public record, and he does not resile […]

European Union

Asked about the PM’s position on Britain and the EU. The PMS said that the Prime Minister set out his views on Britain’s relationship with the EU in great detail in his recent speech and referred journalists to it.

» Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Press briefing – afternoon 30 January 2013

Wednesday 30 January 2013 The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on the Scottish referendum, the defence budget and tax breaks for married couples

Scottish referendum

Asked to clarify what the PM had said to Angus Robertson MP at PMQs, the PMS said that the PM’s words would be published in Hansard the following day. Asked if the PM had sworn in PMQs when the microphone was cut off, she said absolutely not. With regards to the broader point of the […]

MOD budget

Asked about the MOD budget, the PMS said that the MOD now had an agreed budget, a balanced budget and it was the fourth largest defence budget in the world. Referring to reports earlier that day, she also pointed journalists to the commitment the PM had made to increase resources for Special Forces and that […]

Original PMOS briefings are © Crown Copyright. Crown Copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland. Click-use licence number C02W0004089. Material is reproduced from the original 10 Downing Street source, but may not be the most up-to-date version of the briefings, which might be revised at the original source. Users should check with the original source in case of revisions. Comments are © Copyright contributors. Everything else is © Copyright Downing Street Says.

» Friday, February 1, 2013

Falklands

Bonuses

Equal marriage

Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)

Pensioners’ benefits

Immigration

» Thursday, January 31, 2013

Press briefing – afternoon 31 January 2013

Libya

Mali

Defence spending

European Union

» Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Press briefing – afternoon 30 January 2013

Scottish referendum

MOD budget

Search

Supported by

Recent Comments

Archives

Links

Syndicate (RSS/XML)

Credits

Enquiries