Press briefing: morning 18 November 2013
The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on tax, online pornography, union intimidation and benefit fraud.
Tax
Asked about publishing the tax returns of ministers, the PMS said the government was considering how it might be done for senior ministers.
Online pornography
Asked about online filters for pornography, the PMS said there was on-going work with search engines and internet service providers to protect children. Two of the largest service providers had agreed to using filters ‘on by default’, and by the end of 2014, 95% of UK internet customers would have filters on their service by default. The entire industry had a responsibility and there was always a need to look at what more could be done.
Union intimidation
Asked about union intimidation, the PMS said the Prime Minister (PM) had indicated the government would look at intimidation at a recent Prime Minister’s Questions. As a result a review had been established, which would be led by Bruce Carr QC. The terms of reference had been set out.
Benefit fraud
Asked whether the PM would encourage people to inform the authorities if they knew of people cheating the benefits system, the PMS said there was an important point of principle: if people had evidence of wrongdoing, it was right and fair that the information was made available to the appropriate authorities.