Syria
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson (PMS) explained that the Foreign Secretary would be meeting the President of the Syrian National Coalition in London today.
Universal Credit
Asked if the PM had confidence the Universal Credit scheme would be delivered on time, the PMS explained that the PM agreed with the Work and Pensions Secretary that it would be delivered on time and on budget by 2017. The programme was designed to have a gradual process of implementation which allowed revisions and challenges to be taken into account. Once challenges had been identified, it was the right decision for the Work and Pensions Secretary to bring in new leadership for the scheme.
Sex education
Asked if the PM and Education Secretary were blocking plans for a new sex education curriculum, the PMS said that the government had recently reviewed the sex education curriculum and there was clear guidance that schools and teachers should base their teaching on the latest advice from independent expert groups. It went alongside all the government’s other recent measures to protect the safety of children.
German Chancellor
Asked if the PM welcomed the German Chancellor’s indication about wanting to take back more powers from the EU Commission, the PMS said the PM was at the forefront of a debate across Europe about the appropriate level of EU powers, and the importance of this case resonated across Europe.