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, October 15, 2012

Committees

When questioned over the PM’s thoughts towards the work of the committee on standards in public life and the committee for public appointments, the PMS said that it was not for Government to comment on the existence of Parliamentary committees.

Scotland

When addressing questions around the Scottish referendum, the PMS said that Scotland was facing its most important questions for many years, which would have irreversible consequences. The PM had been asked to deliver a referendum and had agreed with the Scottish Government that there should be a single question, it would take place before the […]

Andrew Mitchell

Setting out the PM’s position in response to queries about police morale after the incident involving Andrew Mitchell, the PMS said that the PM’s position had been very clear. He believed what Andrew Mitchell did was wrong. Andrew Mitchell had apologised and his apology had been accepted by the police officer in question.

Andrew Mitchell

Answering questions on Andrew Mitchell’s discussions with West Midlands Police Federation, the PMS said that the PM had made his position clear at the time of the incident. Andrew Mitchell had apologised to the police officer in question and the apology had been accepted. This was an isolated incident and had been dealt with by […]

UK in EU

In response to questions over the UK leaving the EU or staging a referendum on its membership, the PMS said that there were many benefits from remaining in the EU and the PM wanted to see an integrated single market, but he was not happy with the status quo. In this regard the position had […]

» Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Press briefing 18 September 2012

Tuesday 18 September 2012 Cabinet, Afghanistan, honours, benefits, pensions, Tsars were discussed at this press briefing

Cabinet

The PMS detailed the discussions at Cabinet. The Foreign Secretary reported on the UN General Assembly, Afghanistan and Embassy security. The Chancellor provided an update on the economy and the Eurozone. There was a discussion of the honours system led by Sir Bob Kerslake. The Work and Pensions Secretary outlined the launch of pensions auto […]

Afghanistan

Asked whether the UK Government was consulted on the NATO decision to change the manner of joint operations with Afghan forces, the PMS said that there had been a number of attacks in recent weeks including the attack on Camp Bastion. We kept our procedures under review and took the safety of our armed forces […]

Honours

Asked what Sir Bob Kerslake said on the honours system, the PMS said that there was a quinquennial review undertaken by a committee chaired by Sir Bob Kerslake. The discussion was an opportunity for the Cabinet to feed in its views. Asked whether the forfeiture committee was brought up at Cabinet, the PMS said that […]

Pensions

Asked whether there were any plans to change or modify the flat rate pension, the PMS said a White Paper would be published later in the year and it would outline the key features of the system. Asked whether the PM had asked for a review, the PMS said that the White Paper had not […]

Benefits

Asked about speculation that the Government was actively considering not uprating benefits in line with inflation, the PMS said that benefit levels were reviewed every year. There was an announcement made setting out the levels for the following year. An important exception to this was the triple lock on pensions, which was a commitment for […]

Tsars

Asked why the PM appointed Government Tsars, the PMS said that it was sometimes good to get the support of people with particular expertise to improve policy making.

» Monday, September 17, 2012

Press briefing afternoon 17 September 2012

Monday 17 September 2012 Green belt, aid and Lord Ashcroft were discussed in this press briefing

Green Belt

Asked if the Green Belt was safe for the time being or until after the party conferences, the PMS said that the Government encouraged councils to examine flexibilities in the current planning regime. We had a national planning framework, which had been published recently and there are no plans to change that.

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» Monday, October 15, 2012

Committees

Scotland

Andrew Mitchell

Andrew Mitchell

UK in EU

» Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Press briefing 18 September 2012

Cabinet

Afghanistan

Honours

Pensions

Benefits

Tsars

» Monday, September 17, 2012

Press briefing afternoon 17 September 2012

Green Belt

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