Sir Keir Starmer has tested positive for Covid-19 and will not be doing Prime Minister’s Questions or responding to the Budget, Labour has said.

       The Labour leader will now self-isolate, and the party's former frontman Ed Miliband will take is place in the Commons.

       It is the fifth time Sir Keir has had to self-isolate since the start of the pandemic - the most recent occasion was in July when one of his children tested positive.

       But it is understood to be the first time he has tested positive for the virus.

       He found out he had coronavirus after taking a lateral flow test, it has been reported.

       Sir Keir posted this picture - with colleagues Rachel Reeves and Bridget Phillipson - just minutes before he was expected to appear at the House of Commons in preparation to respond to the Budget.

       Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle informed MPs, saying: "Unfortunately the leader of the opposition is isolating, so I'm calling Ed Miliband to answer questions on behalf of the opposition."

       He was greeted with loud jeers from the Conservative backbenches, to which the former Labour leader said: "Just like the old days... I just want to reassure both sides of the house, this is one time only."

       Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was admitted to intensive care last year when he had Covid-19, sent a message of support to Sir Keir, saying: "I think the whole house will extend their sympathies to the leader of the opposition. I hope he returns soon."

       Shadow chancellor Ms Reeves will respond to Rishi Sunak's statement after her lateral flow test came back negative.