Downing Street lobby briefing on Russia, customs after Brexit and NHS funding

The spokesman said: "I think the Prime Minister set out the Government’s position and we set out what we hope to see from Russia. We will continue to consider our position. I think we have been clear what we expect and so have our international partners."

Asked if the PM agreed with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson that Russia should "go away" and "shut up" the spokesman said: "The PM sent her own very clear message to Russia over the course of the week."

BREXIT AND BORDER

Asked about reports of a Whitehall official comparing Brexit to a KitKat, the spokesman said: "I think we have had other chocolate based comparisons before. But the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers have clearly and publicly set out the Government position for an ambitious future economic and security partnership with the EU after we leave."

Asked how the UK will police its borders after Brexit if they remain open, as Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said they would, the spokesman said: "We have set out our position on borders last year which remains our position and that’s a matter for negotiation. We have put forward two options. Obviously the two options are now a matter for negotiations and then we will set out further details."

Asked specifically about Mr Grayling's comments, the spokesman said: "We have been clear we want a trade and customs regime which is as free as possible. We have proposed a reasonable option to the EU which would mean there would be no need for customs processes at the EU UK borer. That's what the PM set out in her mansion house speech."

NHS SPENDING

Asked if the Government recognised reports that ministers could increase national insurance by a penny in the pound to boost NHS spending, the spokesman said: "Funding for the NHS is at record levels. We have continued to increase the budget. We gave the NHS the money to support the five year forward plan, a £10bn a year real terms increase in its budget by 2021. It was prioritised again at the autumn budget but you know - more broadly you will understand that we don’t comment on tax outside of fiscal events and the Chancellor did not set out any plans for increasing national insurance contributions at the last Budget. But as the Chancellor said, if public finances continue to reflect improvements then in accordance with our balanced approach to the economy we would have the capacity to enable further increases in public spending."

LIAM FOX

Asked what International Trade Secretary Liam Fox had been doing in the US all week, the spokesman said: "I don’t have the latest on the sort of meetings he’s been having. Obviously we have set6 out before the broad approach he was taking but I’d have to refer you to the Department for International Trade for the latest details on that."

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