priorities

Getting down NHS waiting lists is one of the prime minister's priorities and he may have had this in mind when picking Sir Chris.

The prime minister said delivering the government's priorities would mean "re-wiring" the British state to deliver reform.

The responses, obtained by the BBC through Freedom of Information laws, potentially set local authorities on a collision course with Labour over one of its top priorities.

Other policies, from housebuilding to hospital waiting lists, will become priorities, too, under the plans to be announced by the prime minister on Thursday.

In other statements on Thursday, Koulamallah said France was an "essential partner" but that Chad must "redefine its strategic partnerships according to national priorities".