NEWS: The Society of Editors has criticised plans by Keir Starmer’s government to cut back daily No 10 lobby briefings, warning the move could weaken media scrutiny and democratic accountability.

Summary (concise rewrite):

Under proposals unveiled by Downing Street communications director Tim Allan, the traditional twice-daily lobby briefings would be reduced to one a day, with some replaced by ministerial press conferences. Journalists fear this would give the government greater control over who asks questions and which issues are addressed.

Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors, said regular, journalist-led questioning was a cornerstone of democracy and that announcing such a significant change without consultation was “deeply concerning”. She warned that replacing open briefings with government-controlled press conferences risked limiting transparency in practice, not just in theory.

While No 10 argues the media landscape has changed and afternoon briefings are often poorly attended, senior political reporters say the reforms could restrict access and undermine sustained scrutiny. Opposition parties have said they would restore afternoon lobby briefings if elected.