Number 10 lobby briefing on Carillion, Nicola Sturgeon and net migration
2 min read
Here is a summary of this morning's briefing for lobby journalists by the Prime Minister's official spokesman.
CARILLION
On construction firm Carillion - which carries out billions of pounds of work for the public sector - going into liquidation, the spokesman said: "It's regrettable that Carillion has not been able to find suitable financing options with its lenders, but taxpayers cannot be expected to bail out a private sector company. Since profit warnings were first issued in July, the Government has been closely monitoring the situation and has been in constructive discussion with Carillion, while it's sought to re-finance its business. We remained hopeful that a solution could be found while putting robust contingency plans in place to prepare for every eventuality. Our primary responsibility has always been to keep our essential public services running safely."
On whether there will be additional costs to the taxpayer as a result of the company's collapse, the spokesman said the Government will pay the company's receiver to ensure services "continue to run as normal", while some services carried out by Carillion may end up being brought "in-house". He added: "Either way it will be done in a managed and orderly fashion."
The spokesman also denied claims that the Government had been feeding contracts to Carillion in a bid to keep the company afloat, insisting that "normal tendering processes were followed".
NICOLA STURGEON
On claims by Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon that a hard Brexit would cost the Scottish economy £12.7bn, the spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has made clear her commitment to getting a good deal which serves the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom and that we are confident of doing so. I'd also point out the vital importance that we protect the UK economy, which is worth around £48bn to Scotland, and that's four times as much as that of the EU. Also worth pointing out that the UK economy supports four times as many jobs compared to the EU.
"We are carrying out extensive preparations in relation to delivering Brexit and the will of the British people."
NET MIGRATION
On the Home Affairs Select Committee's call for the Government to scrap its aim of reducing net migration to the tens of thousands, the spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has been clear on her commitment to reducing net migration to sustainable levels and that is the tens of thousands."
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