Number 10 Press Briefing - Afternoon From 28 June 2010
Briefing by the Prime Minister's Spokesman on: Regional Cabinet, the Prime Minister's speech, the Culture Secretary and sport, and miscellaneous items.
Regional Cabinet
Asked about tomorrow’s regional Cabinet, the Prime Minister’s Spokeswoman (PMS) said that tomorrow’s Cabinet was about boosting economic growth in the regions.
Asked if there would be an announcement, the PMS said that reporters would have to wait and see.
Prime Minister’s speech
Asked about the Prime Minister’s speech tonight at The Times CEO event, the PMS said that the Prime Minister would be talking about how the Government could live within its means, and more widely how the country could live within its means within a global context.
Culture Secretary / sport
Asked if the Prime Minister had full confidence in the Culture Secretary after his comments regarding Hillsborough, the PMS said that the Prime Minister had full confidence in the Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, who had apologised, spoken to the local MP and would be meeting with family members.
Put that there was an issue with Ministers at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport who did not feel comfortable with mass participation sport, the PMS said that she did not recognise that assessment.
Asked if the Prime Minister felt there was a need for the Government to get involved and boost the national game following England’s defeat yesterday, the PMS referred reporters to the Prime Minister’s comments on football at his press conference yesterday and said that there had been a joint announcement from the Education Secretary and the Culture Secretary today regarding competitive sports in schools.
Miscellaneous
Asked if the Prime Minister had full confidence in Lynne Featherstone following her comments on Incapacity Benefit, the PMS said that the Prime Minister had full confidence in Lynne Featherstone.
Put that the US owed Britain money for unpaid congestion charges and asked if the special relationship between the US and UK would make any difference in regards to the money being paid, the PMS said that the reporter should speak to the FCO and Mayor of London’s Office; this issue did not come up at the Prime Minister’s bilateral with President Obama over the weekend.
Put that diplomats had been breaking the law and asked what should be done about it, the PMS said that as a guiding principle everyone should abide by the law whilst in this country.