Press briefing: morning 17 July 2014
The Prime Minister's Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on the EU Council, Spare Room Subsidy, Gaza and European Court of Human Rights.
EU Council
Asked about the Prime Minister’s meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker at the EU Council, the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) said that they had a constructive and amicable meeting. The PMS said Mr Juncker had been clear that he was committed to working with the UK on the full range of our concerns when the Prime Minister had outlined his agenda for Britain’s relationship with the EU.
Asked about discussions on sanctions against Russia, the PMS said that the EU and the US were working closely on sanctions and had set out further asset freezing measures last night. He said that the Prime Minister remained in close consultation with EU partners to consider further action on a list of organisations and individuals if Russian actions on the ground did not change.
Spare Room Subsidy
Asked about the Deputy Prime Minister’s comments on the Spare Room Subsidy, the PMS said that the government’s welfare reforms were delivering savings to the taxpayer and that government policy would not be changing.
Gaza
Asked about the Deputy Prime Minister’s comments about the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, the PMS said that the Prime Minister’s view had been set out in his EU Council statement: the loss of innocent lives on all sides was to be deplored and it was important that Hamas stopped rocket fire to help bring about a ceasefire.
European Court of Human Rights
Asked about Britain’s relationship with the European Court of Human Rights, the PMS said the Prime Minister had set out his position on the European Court of Human Rights numerous times and would continue to do so.