Number 10 briefing on Syria, the NHS, government 'timidity' and defence funding
2 min read
Here is a summary of this morning's briefing for lobby journalists by the Prime Minister's official spokesman.
SYRIA
On reports of Turkish military incursions into Syria, the spokesman said: "We are closely following the developments in north-west Syria. The UK has regularly discussed issues relating to the conflict in Syria with the Turkish authorities in line with our shared aim of reducing violence and enabling a political settlement.
"We recognise Turkey has a legitimate interest in the security of its borders. The UK is committed to working closely with Turkey and other allies to find solutions in Syria that provide stability, refrain from escalating the situation and protect Turkey's security interests."
NHS
On reports that the Prime Minister is being urged to spend £100m a week extra on the NHS from money saved after Brexit, the spokesman said: "Once we leave the EU, the days of us sending huge sums to the EU will be over and we will then be able to spend that money on our own domestic priorities."
'TIMID GOVERNMENT'
On former minister Nick Boles' claim that the Government is "timid", the spokesman said: "If you look at action that's been taken by the Government in recent months, you can see that it is getting on with the job of building a stronger economy and a fairer society that works for everyone.
"There was to cut to stamp duty for 80% of buyers, the launch of the first ever 25-year environment plan, the launch of an ambitious industrial strategy to help businesses deliver better, high-paid jobs, we've announced detailed plans for an energy price cap, published the first ever race disparity audit, providing extra money for our public services in the form of £2.8bn more for the NHS, £2bn more for social care and £1.3bn more for schools. Of course we know there is more to do and the Prime Minister is committed to getting on and delivering."
DEFENCE FUNDING
On warnings from Head of the Army Nick Carter that Britain needs to spend more on defence, the spokesman said: "The Chief of the General Staff is saying that we face a range of threats and that we need to make sure we have the capabilities required to address them.
"That's exactly what we're doing as part of the National Security Capability Review and we're doing that from a position of strengthen where we have a £36bn defence budget, which will rise to almost £40bn by 2020/21 - that's the biggest defence budget in Europe, the second biggest in Nato and the fifth largest in the world."
