Press release

Press briefing: afternoon 20 January

The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on benefits and interest rates.

• From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Lord Cameron
• Published: 20 January 2013

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

Benefits

Asked whether the PM supported contributory benefits, the PMS said that the PM’s focus is on reform of the welfare system to make sure that work always pays.

Interest rates

Asked whether the PM was concerned that the unemployment rate could reach 7% as early as March and whether that would spark a rise in interest rates, the PMS said that the unemployment statistics are evidence that the long term economic plan is working, but the government will keep doing more. The PMS said that interest rate decisions were a matter for the Bank of England.

Published 20 January 2013