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?

» Monday, December 10, 2012

Prime Minister’s day

Asked if there would be an update to the Prime Minister’s day, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said there was not. Nobel Peace Prize Asked if the Prime Minister was disappointed not to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the PMS said that the Deputy Prime Minister would represent the UK.

Equal marriage

Asked if there was a date for an equal marriage bill, the PMS replied that it was expected tomorrow and advised the assembled media to listen to the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport’s statement to the House of Commons. Asked if the consultation would be published tomorrow, the PMS said it would […]

Television debates

Asked what the Prime Minister had meant by his comments on television debates, the PMS pointed out that it would not be for him to comment on elections. The PMS suggested that the point the Prime Minister had made was that a fixed term parliament meant the time campaigning before an election could be longer. […]

EU membership

Asked if the Prime Minister had proposed a three tier membership of the EU, the PMS said that the Prime Minister had described the situation as it is. Asked if the UK could create its own tier, the PMS said the Prime Minister had proposed that the UK seek a better deal and put it […]

Press briefing morning 10 December 2012

Monday 10 December 2012 The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on gay marriage, the Finucane Inquiry and GM foods

Gay Marriage

Questioned about the PM’s position on gay marriage, the PMS said that it was clearly an issue where people have well established views. The PM was a supporter of marriage and believed that gay people should not be excluded from marriage. The Government was to set out proposals in the coming days, but the PM […]

Finucane Inquiry

Asked about the PM’s role in the Finucane Inquiry, the PMS said that the PM had met with the family and had taken a close interest. There would be a statement from the Government later in the week.

GM Foods

Setting out the Government’s position on GM foods, the PMS said that provided it is used safely and responsibly it could be a useful way to address food shortages. There was a scientific regulatory environment that should be respected across Europe, that the Commission was looking at ways to make regulation more efficient and effective, […]

» Friday, December 7, 2012

Press briefing morning 7 December 2012

Friday 7 December 2012 The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on rail fares and Leveson

Rail Fares

Questioned about the increase in rail fares, the PMS said that there was a cap on regulated fares of RPI + 1%. This had been reviewed down from RPI + 3%. Regulated fares covered commuter fares but not all tickets, e.g. First Class.

Leveson

Asked to provide an update on press regulation after the Leveson report, the PMS said that the Government was digesting the report and was considering options. The priority was for the press to set up an independent regulator as quickly as possible. Meetings had taken place between the Culture Secretary and editors and progress was […]

» Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Press Briefing morning 4 December 2012

Tuesday 4 December 2012 The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) provided a readout of Cabinet discussions that morning. Cabinet discussed the Autumn Statement, growth agenda implementation, broadband and Chinese visas. There were also updates on the Leveson report, the Laidlaw Report and Government department Non Executive Directors

Capital Spending

Questioned on proposals for increased capital spending, the PMS said that the Chancellor would set out details in the Autumn Statement the following day, but the Government was going to commit 5bn of capital investment to help Britain in the global race. The investment would be funded in part by decreasing some departmental resources; many […]

Leveson

Asked about the Culture Secretary’s Cabinet update on Leveson, the PMS said that it was a brief update on progress and initial meetings had taken place. Work on potential legislation was underway but it was important that the newspapers set up their own independent regulator as quickly as possible.

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.

» Monday, December 10, 2012

Prime Minister’s day

Equal marriage

Television debates

EU membership

Press briefing morning 10 December 2012

Gay Marriage

Finucane Inquiry

GM Foods

» Friday, December 7, 2012

Press briefing morning 7 December 2012

Rail Fares

Leveson

» Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Press Briefing morning 4 December 2012

Capital Spending

Leveson

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