Sir Keir Starmer held his first press conference in the newly renovated Downing Street briefing roomafter a “politically neutral” refurbishment which cost the taxpayer £80,000.
The room at 9 Downing Street was renovated in December.
The renovation replaces the former blue background, traditionally associated with Conservative Partywith wooden paneling and inset lighting. Gray tones now replace the previous blue carpet. The government coat of arms was also added behind the podium.
A spokesman for the prime minister described the changes as a return “to the original state”. They emphasized that the cost is significantly lower than the expenditure of the previous administration.