Press briefing: afternoon 23 January
The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on Davos, interest rates and foreign investment.
Davos
Asked if the PM would be holding any meetings in Davos, the PMS said the PM would be giving a speech the following morning and would be on a Development Panel in the afternoon. He added that he understood that the PM had had meetings with business people that afternoon, but colleagues at Davos would confirm further details later that day.
Asked if the PM would be going to a pizza restaurant, the PMS said he was sure the PM would have dinner at some point.
Interest rates
Asked if the PM was relieved that the Bank of England wouldn’t be raising interest rates any time soon, the PMS said he would leave the matter of interest rates for the Bank of England.
Foreign investment
Asked if the PM shared concern that the Public Accounts Committee questions over taxes were deterring investors into the UK, the PMS said committees and how they carried out their business was a matter for them, government was focused on the economic conditions that encouraged investment into the UK.
Asked whether the PM would encourage committees to continue to hold companies to account, the PMS referred the assembled press to the PM’s previous words, including on previous occasions in Davos, around transparency and cracking down on aggressive avoidance.