Press briefing: afternoon 4 November 2014
The Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson answered questions on Tower Hamlets, holiday pay, tax summaries, EU budget and Libya training programme.
Tower Hamlets
When asked about the report on Tower Hamlets published today, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesperson (PMOS) said the Prime Minister strongly agreed with what the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, set out in the House today.
Holiday pay
When asked about the Employment Appeal Tribunal’s ruling on holiday pay, the PMOS said the government had concerns in regard to the potential costs to businesses. That is why the Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, has set up a taskforce bringing together government and representatives of businesses to look into the potential detailed consequences of the judgment, the PMOS added.
Tax summaries
When asked about tax summaries, the PMOS said it was important to set out to taxpayers where their tax money is going. The statistics followed the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) data, the PMOS added.
EU budget
When asked about the European Commission’s figures, the PMOS said the process of technical discussion between the Treasury and the European Commission was underway and there would be a discussion of this issue at Friday’s meeting of EU finance ministers. The Prime Minister will continue to raise the issue with his EU counterparts and will keep arguing our case, the PMOS added.
Libya training programme
When asked about the Libya training programme, the PMOS said the programme of training would be reviewed. The group of soldiers currently in the UK would be returned to Libya, the PMOS added.