Speaking to presenter Evan Davis, the PM said there could only be a “sustained recovery” with real growth and jobs if ministers tackled the Budget deficit.

• Listen to the interview

Earlier this week, Chancellor George Osborne outlined where £6.2 billion of savings will be made in government spending during this tax year and the plans were a key part of the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday.

The PM said:

“The key thing is we promised £6 billion of spending reductions; we have delivered £6 billion of spending reductions. That is good for our economy, it shows us getting to grips with the deficit, it will enhance international confidence in the economy.”

He added:

“I think it is an important point, though, that reducing the deficit and getting the economy to grow, they’re not alternatives, they go together. We’re only going to get a sustained recovery with real growth, real jobs [and] the wealth we want to see in our country, if we get to grips with the fact that we have an 11 per cent budget deficit.”

Read more about plans to reduce the deficit in the Queen’s Speech

Read more about The Chancellor’s announcement on the Treasury website

More than 50 vessels have sailed to France today to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Operation Dynamo.

During the evacuation, 900 naval and civilian ships, including fishing boats and pleasure craft, rescued more than 300,000 Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk.

The PM said:

“The heroism and valour shown by the people who went to the rescue of the thousands of troops stranded on the beaches of Dunkirk 70 years ago is a testament to the courage and endeavour of British people.

“Our country should always be grateful to and remember all those who were involved in the evacuation and our thoughts go to all those who didn’t make it home. We can all be very proud of the ‘Little Ships’ of Dunkirk and the commemorative events this week are a fitting reminder.”

Read more about the commemoration from the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships

• Read the transcript: Queen’s Speech 2010
• Quotes on the Queen’s Speech
• Watch the Queen’s Speech (in Commons Statements section)

Reducing the deficit and continuing to ensure economic recovery was one of the major areas covered by the speech.

The Queen said:

“The first priority is to reduce the deficit and restore economic growth. Action will be taken to accelerate the reduction of the structural budget deficit.”

On this page is a full list of the Bills and details of other items in the speech.

Queen’s Speech 2010 – Full list of Bills

Office for Budget Responsibility Bill
National Insurance Contributions Bill
Welfare Reform Bill
Pensions and Savings Bill
Financial Services Regulation Bill
Equitable Life Payments Scheme Bill
Airports Economic Regulation Bill
Postal Services Bill
Energy Security and Green Economy Bill
Academies Bill
Education and Children’s Bill
Health Bill
Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill
Public Bodies (Reform) Bill
Decentralisation and Localism Bill
Local Government Bill
Parliamentary Reform Bill
Parliamentary Privilege (Draft Bill)
Freedom (Great Repeal) Bill
Identity Documents Bill
Scotland Bill
European Communities (Amendment) Referendum Lock Bill
Armed Forces Bill
Terrorist Asset Freezing Bill

Other items in the Queen’s Speech

Reducing the deficit
Tax and benefit system
High-speed broadband connections
High-speed rail
Limits on non-EU migration
Flexible working and equal pay
Public Health
Social Care
Public Services
House of Lords reform
Political Party Funding
Northern Ireland
Estimates for the public services
Royal visit to Canada and New York
Papal visit
Climate change
Strategic Defence and Security Review
Afghanistan and Pakistan
India
Middle East Peace Process
Nuclear non-proliferation and Iran
International development spending from 2013

Read more: About the Queen’s Speech

England’s world-beating Twenty20 cricket team has visited Number 10 for a reception celebrating their success.

Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed team members including captain Paul Collingwood and player-of-the-tournament Kevin Pietersen to Downing Street.

England won the ICC World Twenty20 for the first time earlier this month after beating Australia in the final in Barbados.

The PM said:

“It really was a fantastic result and you made the whole country incredibly proud. As a cricket fan myself, you always remember where you are for the great England victories and everyone will remember what you all achieved in the Twenty20.”

He added that although it was a team victory, he especially wanted to praise Mr Collingwood, Mr Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter for their “inspirational” performances during the tournament.

Previous story: PM pays tribute to England cricket team

Prime Minister David Cameron has held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.

In his first visit to Germany as PM, Mr Cameron visited the Chancellery, where the two leaders discussed EU cooperation and the ongoing economic situation in Europe.

Speaking at a joint press conference after their meeting, the Prime Minister said he wanted a “strong and positive partnership” with Germany.

He added that although the UK would not be joining the euro, it was in the UK’s interests to have a strong eurozone.

The PM said:

“I want Britain to be a positive player in Europe. I want us to work together to achieve the economic stability, the growth and action on European deficits that we know is very much in the interest of all our countries and in the interests of a strong, stable economy which we very clearly need. Britain is not a member of the euro, nor are we likely to become a member, but we want a strong and stable eurozone. That is where 50 per cent of our trade goes and it’s our interest that that takes place.”

The two leaders also discussed Afghanistan and the prospect of further sanctions against Iran.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister also held talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris and met Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Deputy First Minister at Stormont.

Speeches and transcripts: Press conference with Chancellor Merkel

Previous story: PM holds talks with President Sarkozy

Previous story: Prime Minister visits Northern Ireland

The Ministerial Code, published by the Prime Minister, sets out the standards of conduct expected of Ministers.

Read the Ministerial Code [Cabinet Office website]

The Code bars former Ministers from lobbying Government for two years; tightens controls on government cars and numbers of special advisers; and requires the regular publication of Ministerial meetings, hospitality, gifts and travel.

The Ministerial Code covers all aspects of ministerial life from access to official papers and appointments to the use of Government resources and the handling of Ministers’ private interests.

The Government has also published a list of Cabinet Committees which shows the membership of each committee and shows a significant reduction in the total number of Committees.

The third document is the Coalition Agreement for Stability and Reform which sets out the practical and operational arrangements for how the Parties will work together in coalition.

Read more: Cabinet Office website

The PM met President Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday evening where he was greeted with a guard of honour.  

During his ”fruitful and focused” meeting with the President they discussed issues ranging from Iran and Afghanistan to the European Union and Anglo-French relations.

In a joint press conference following their talks, the PM said the two countries could have a “partnership that has a real purpose”.

He said:

“From all the things we have discussed tonight, I think we can have a partnership that has a real purpose, that is very focused, that is very practical, that actually leads to results in the things that we both care about.”

Discussing the eurozone and the economy, the PM said the UK would “work well” with France and other nations playing its own part by sticking to a stability pact agreed by the previous administration.

The PM also said the UK and France had a “shared agenda” with the forthcoming G8 and G20 meetings and looked forward to the President and his wife visiting London on 18 June.

The PM is travelling from Paris to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Merkel.

Speeches and transcripts: PM’s press conference in Paris

The PM was accompanied by the new Secretary of State Owen Paterson.

He travelled to Stormont Castle for talks with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Following his meeting, the PM stressed the Government’s “absolute” commitment to Northern Ireland and the devolved institutions.

He said:

“We are committed to the peaceful progress – such big steps have been taken over these last 13 to 15 years – we want that to continue.

“That is the future for Northern Ireland, that’s what my government wants, that’s what the Deputy First Minister and First Minister want so badly and that’s what we are all together committed to achieve.”

The PM also added that he was committed to “getting the economy in Northern Ireland going”.

He said:

“It is an absolutely essential task that we have a strong recovery, good growth and a strong commercial and private sector here in Northern Ireland.”

Before heading to Northern Ireland, the PM and Deputy Prime Minister unveiled their new Coalition programme for government. 

On Northern Ireland, the document said:

“We will continue to promote peace, stability and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland, standing firmly behind the agreements negotiated and institutions they establish.

“We will work to bring Northern Ireland back into the mainstream of UK politics, including producing a government paper examining potential mechanisms for changing the corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland.”

Following his visit to Stormont Castle, the PM held meetings with other party leaders before travelling to Paris to meet President Sarkozy on Thursday evening.

Read more: The Coalition: our programme for government

Speeches and transcripts: PM’s press conference in Northern Ireland