Press briefing: morning 16 December 2013
The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on immigration and military power.
Immigration
Asked about controlling European Union (EU) immigration, the PMS said EU migration had previously been between countries of similar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) levels. More recently, there had been significant increases in migration from poor countries to richer ones. The PM had recently proposed longer transitional periods and measures to ensure more controlled immigration between countries with different GDP levels for countries entering the EU. The PM had raised his proposals with other EU member states.
Asked whether immigration from poorer nations was contributing to the issue of modern slavery, the PMS said the evidence suggested modern slavery involved people from many different nations. The government was establishing a modern day slavery commissioner, had introduced legislation and toughened penalties.
Military
Asked for the PM’s views on a MP’s comments about the nuclear deterrent and Britain as a military power, the PMS said the PM’s views on the nuclear deterrent had been set out on a number of occasions and had not changed. Britain was a first-rate military power and had the fourth largest military budget in the world.