The New Chief Of Staff Of The Prime Minister Promises A Smaller State

According to the PM's new senior assistant, the government will take a "step back" from people's lives and pursue "a smaller state."

While public health efforts and large sums of money spent on the pandemic were the appropriate judgments, Steve Barclay told the Sunday Telegraph that it was time for "a more enabling approach."

Mr. Barclay, a cabinet minister, was appointed as the PM's new chief of staff last week.

On a visit of regions of the UK this week, No. 10 says the prime minister will focus on domestic affairs.

It comes as Boris Johnson's leadership continues to be criticized and questioned by several Conservative MPs.

Mr Barclay's appointment as chief of staff was part of a shake-up at No 10 following civil servant Sue Gray's initial report into Downing Street lockdown parties, as well as the ongoing police inquiry into the events.

Mr. Barclay says in his first public comments since then: "The restoration of a smaller state is now a priority, both monetarily and in terms of taking a step back from people's lives.

"It's time to get back to a more enabling mindset. People must be trusted, communities must be given power, and businesses must be free to deliver."

Mr Barclay is the prime minister's most senior advisor as chief of staff, with responsibilities for "Increasing the efficiency of the government's agenda and ensuring that it is better linked with the cabinet and other departments.