Downing Street Says » 2006

» Monday, December 11, 2006

Social Policy

Put that the Prime Minister had said in the past that family was central to social policy, and did he also now think that marriage was as well, the PMOS said that he had to be careful to not get drawn into party politics. However, the core of the issue was about how a relatively small group, but a group nonetheless that had fallen through the net, to be dealt with. That was precisely why we had published a social exclusion plan recently that looked at intensive support for the poorest people in society. That was also why we had appointed an independent advisor, Lisa Harker, on child poverty as well. Therefore, the key, in terms of the Government's response had been to target help for those had fallen through the net.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Turkey

Put to the PMOS that the Foreign Minister's meeting about Turkey today was a "crunch" meeting, the PMOS replied that decisions would not be taken until the end of the week. Our position on Turkey remained that we were very much in support of trying to promote EU membership, whilst recognising that other people had concerns. Margaret Beckett had said this morning that it was in the strategic interest of the EU, as well as in the interest of Turkey that the negotiations continued.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Police Inquiry

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Ambassador Appointments

Asked to comment on the Ambassadorial appointments mentioned today in the papers, the PMOS replied that the FCO had put out a statement, so journalists should speak to them.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

NHS

Asked if the Prime Minister had any misgivings about the idea of forcing the NHS to break even by next April, or was it a Treasury idea, the PMOS replied that what was important was that a) we recognised that the majority of trusts were operating perfectly well, b) with regards to the minority, that we identified where the problems were coming from (and we were doing that) and c) that we dealt with that. That process of transparency was one which was being driven by the Government as a whole. In the past, there were hidden deficits, and what was different now was that those deficits had become transparent. Above all, people should recognise that it was a small minority.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

Russia

Asked if there was any view on the Russians' behaviour post-Litvinenko, for example, their getting the BBC World Service off air etc, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister had made it clear that there should be no political or diplomatic bar on the police investigation. We expected co-operation from the Russian Authorities. The PMOS added that he was not going to give a running commentary on the investigation, but that was the standard which the Prime Minister had set here, and that was also the requirement from the Russian Authorities. The PMOS also said that in the past, we had expressed very firmly our concerns about human rights issues in Russian, and those concerns remained.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

General Pinochet

Asked if we would be sending a Ministerial representative to General Pinochet's funeral, the PMOS said it would be a matter for the FCO to decide.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Christmas Presents

Asked if the Prime Minister had bought his mother-in-law's Christmas present yet, the PMOS replied that there were some issues that were too dangerous for him to get involved in! The PMOS added that the important question people should be asking was whether the PMOS would have time this week to buy his; if he was late to lobby this week, people would know why!

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

» Friday, December 8, 2006

Police Inquiry

No.

Briefing took place at 8:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Armed Forces

Asked what the reaction was to General Sir Mike Jackson's comments recently about the poor conditions and pay of the British troops, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister had given his reaction yesterday, and the MOD in turn had given their reaction.

Briefing took place at 8:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3)

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» Monday, December 11, 2006

Social Policy

Turkey

Police Inquiry

Ambassador Appointments

NHS

Russia

General Pinochet

Christmas Presents

» Friday, December 8, 2006

Police Inquiry

Armed Forces

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