PMQs: Sunak takes swipe at Starmer for Sue Gray sacking
Rishi Sunak had MPs laughing at Keir Starmer this lunchtime as he made jokes about both Sue Gray and Lord Alli, in a bruising moment for the under-siege Prime Minister.
He quipped: "Tomorrow the Government will publish their anticipated changes to employment law - given the weekend's events when did the Prime Minister first become a convert to 'fire and rehire'?"
It was a jibe at Sue Gray being sacked as Sir Keir's chief of staff only to be given a new job as 'envoy for the regions and nations'.
As Sir Keir dodged the jibe, Mr Sunak responded to one of his answers with: "I'm not sure even Lord Alli is buying any of that nonsense!"
Do you think Keir Starmer handled himself well in the Commons today? Have your say in our comments section.
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3 days ago12:34 Christian Calgie
PMQs wraps up
PMQs wraps up only a couple of minutes late.
Sir Keir had the Commons chuckling as Labour MP Dawn Butler invited him to a Black History Month event with the "temptations" tribute band, joking: "I'm not sure just at the moment going to something that's labelled 'temptations' is quite where I need to go."
3 days ago12:27 Christian Calgie
David Davis warns parliament could get assisted dying bill wrong
David Davis has demanded that the Government give the assisted dying bill Government time so as MPs have sufficient time to debate the issue and "get this right".
Sir Keir demurred from the call, insisting that the existing committee stage will be appropriate for giving the legislation sufficient scrutiny.
3 days ago12:20 Christian Calgie
Starmer defends private school VAT hike
Asked how Keir Starmer plans on mitigating for the negative impact of his private school tax, the PM argued he understands that many parents save hard to send their kids privately because they have aspirations.
However he argued: "So does every parent who sends their child to a state school."
He insisted the tax will pay for 6,500 new teachers in the state sector.
3 days ago12:17 Christian Calgie
Keir Starmer questioned over British ownership of the Falklands
Keir Starmer was questioned about whether he's planning on handing over the Falkland islands like he has the Chagos Islands.
Ed Davey asked: "Fishermen in the Falklands are having to pay huge amount in tariffs to sell their produce into the EU single market or sail under a Spanish flag."
"So when the PM renegotiates with the EU will he remember the overseas territories and ensure that British citizens fishing off the Falklands can sail proudly under the Union Jack?"
Keir Starmer responded: "My uncle nearly lost his life when his ship was hit by a torpedo defending the Falklands."
"They are British and they will remain British."
3 days ago12:14 Christian Calgie
Rishi Sunak skewers Reeves over planned borrowing u-turn
Keir Starmer gave brazen signals at Prime Minister's Questions today that the Government is planning a major U-turn that will set Labour on course for a massive borrowing spree.
Rachel Reeves is planning on changing borrowing rules so she can spend tens of billions more on her pet projects.
Rishi Sunak pointed out that the Chancellor previously said such a move would be "tantamount to fiddling the figures".
Keir Starmer refused to rule out the plan.
3 days ago12:13 Christian Calgie
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out tax hikes for employers
Rishi Sunak pressed Keir Starmer on whether he stands by his manifesto pledge not to raise National Insurance, and whether that promise extends to employers as well as employees.
Sir Keir refused to answer the question.
3 days ago12:11 Christian Calgie
Rishi Sunak makes Lord Alli joke
Responding to a long-winded answer from the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak joked: "I'm not sure even Lord Alli is buying any of that nonsense!"
3 days ago12:02 Christian Calgie
Rishi Sunak opens with question about Sue Gray
Rishi Sunak used his first question to ask about coming changes to employment law.
Referencing Sue Gray, he joked: "When did the PM first become a convert to fire and rehire?"
Sir Keir ignores the jibe, focusing on the plans to introduce new worker protection.
3 days ago12:00 Christian Calgie
Keir Starmer opens with comments on October 7
Sir Keir Starmer opens with a memorial to those killed by Hamas on October 7, reiterating the Government's support for Israel but demanding a ceasefire with Gaza.
He celebrates that the Government is set to introduce a new workers' rights bill this week and highlights the forthcoming investment summit.
3 days ago11:55 Christian Calgie
James Cleverly looking comfortable on Tory frontbenches ahead of final-two vote
A sign of the future? James Cleverly and Mel Stride sitting shoulder to shoulder on the Tory frontbench during women and equalities questions in the Commons.
James Cleverly is almost guaranteed to make the final-two vote off in this afternoon's final ballot of Tory MPs.
3 days ago11:54 Christian Calgie
PMQs kicks off at midday
Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak will go head-to-head in the Commons at lunchtime today for the first PMQs since July 24.
The Conservative leader has plenty of potential options to grill the Prime Minister after the summer recess break.
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3 days ago11:51 Christian Calgie
Who's asking the questions?
Q1 Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire)
Q2 Sarah Coombes (West Bromwich)
Q3 Shivani Raja (Leicester East)
Q4 Adam Jogee (Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Q5 Jon Pearce (High Peak)
Q6 Sir Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon)
07 Dame Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch)
Q8 Alex McIntyre (Gloucester)
09 Helen Morgan (North Shropshire)
Q10 Robin Swann (South Antrim)
Q11 Luke Murphy (Basingstoke)
Q12 Phil Brickell (Bolton West)
Q13 Joe Morris (Hexham)
Q14 Noah Law (St Austell and Newquay)
Q15 Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham)
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