Press release

Number 10 Press Briefing - 30 October Afternoon

The Prime Minister's Spokesman took questions on Hitachi, Hurricane Sandy, the EU Budget and Angela Merkel's visit.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Heseltine review

Asked whether the Prime Minister had seen the Hessletine Review the PMS confirmed that he had.

Hitachi

Responding to a question on the Hitachi decision the PMS said that it was great news for the UK economy and UK energy security. Asked for the Deputy Prime Minister’s thoughts on the news the PMS pointed out Ed Davey’s comments setting out the merits of the investment noting that “Hitachi bring with them decades of expertise, and are responsible for building some of the most advanced nuclear reactors on time and on budget.”

Hurricane Sandy

Asked what assistance we had sent the PMS said the UK was in close contact with colleagues in the United States on progress of the storm and its impact. We had deployed two consular officers from the US network to New York. New York Consul General now has four consular experts as well as other consular and crisis trained staff available. We had set up a number for British Nationals requiring emergency assistance and were advising British Nationals in the area to monitor reports on TV and radio and to follow the advice of local authorities.

EU Budget

Answering questions on the EU budget, the PMS said that the European Scrutiny Committee debate was an opportunity for MPs to set out their thinking on the European Commission’s proposals for the next budget. Our position was very clear: at a time when the European Commission President himself had said that “public finances must be consolidated” it was totally unacceptable for the Commission to propose large increases in the EU budget. The summit in November would involve negotiations between 27 different countries who would each have  different views, but the Prime Minister would make very clear the need for budget restraint.

Angela Merkel’s visit

The PMS confirmed that German Chancellor Angela Merkel would be visiting on the 7th of November.

Published 30 October 2012