Press briefing: morning 5 June 2013
The Prime Minister's Spokesperson answered questions on legal aid, Syria, John Bercow and the economy.
Legal aid
Asked whether the government planned to look at lawyers’ fees as part of legal aid reform, the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) said that the Prime Minister fully supported the Justice Secretary’s substantial reforms of legal aid and that it was right that the government looked at all areas to ensure that each department does more for less.
Syria
Asked whether the Prime Minister’s view on helping rebels in Syria had changed, the PMS said that the Prime Minister’s position remained that the same: that it was the right thing to do. Asked what the UK is doing in light of evidence of chemical warfare, the PMS said that the UK had shared the information it had with the UN and will continue to support and assist the UN investigation to establish the full facts. Asked whether there would be a push by the UK to allow aid in to Syria, the PMS said that the safety, security and well-being of the Syrian people in responding to their terrible suffering was at the heart of our approach. The PMS said that the UK would continue to work closely with allies to send a clear message to the Assad regime. Asked whether the Prime Minister will insist on a regime change, the PMS said that the PM had been clear that the Assad regime has no future.
John Bercow
Asked what the Prime Minister thought of John Bercow’s comments, the PMS said that the Prime Minister has been clear on his position on immigration.
Economy
Asked whether the Prime Minister agrees with the latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) assessment that the economy is “firing on all cylinders”, the PMS said that the Prime Minister believes the economy is healing.