PMQs LIVE – Scotland can’t afford cost of living with Westminster  

PM dismisses indyref2

Backbenchers ask about Scottish independence and speaks about the role of the UK government in respecting the mandate given by the people of Scotland. 

PM says they had a vote in 2014 and failed to get backing for Scottish independence and now should focus on education standards in Scotland. 

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‘Britain better with Scotland’

Blackford says the Tory leadership contest is “descending into a toxic race to the right”.

Ian Blackford says all the candidates are “awful” and compared with them, “Genghis Khan looks like a moderate”.

He says Westminster is out of touch and while the Tory leadership candidates focus on “tax cuts for the rich”, families across Scotland are struggling to put food on the table or to heat their homes.

Blackford says Scotland can’t afford the cost of living with Westminister. 

PM responds – Britain better with Scotland’

PM says next leader of Tories will want to work with Scotland “to protect and secure our union,” adding “we are much, much better together”.

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PM leaving with ‘head high’ 

PM says he feels everybody who has played a part in his government “has done a remarkable job in helping this country through difficult time”.

Johnson says it is possible today’s Prime Minister’s Questions will be his last – “because the next party leader could be declared by acclamation”.

He pays tribute to his time in office by saying: we got Brexit done; we delivered the first Covid vaccine in the world; and the UK led the world in helping the people of Ukraine.

He says all eight candidates for party leader will continue with the programme of skills and infrastructure expansion.

“It is true I leave not at a time of my choosing, but I am proud of the teamwork involved in all of those projects… and I’m also proud of the leadership I have given,” he says.

“I will be leaving with my head held high”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf8q17nqKTc/

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Broken economy 

Sir Keir criticises Rishi Sunak next. Starmer says Rishi has criticised the PM and accused him of not telling the public truth – and next, he’s claiming he has a big plan to rebuild the economy. 

He asks whether the PM can think of any job Sunak has had recently that may have meant he had the responsibility of this “broken economy.” 

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Economic growth at 0.5% – PM

PM says economic growth was at 0.5% in May because the UK left lockdown in May last year. 

PMQs Live – Rowdy scenes as non dom rules questioned

Tax and spending cuts

Starmer says PM is deluded to the bitter end. 

He points out Nadhim Zahawi and his pledges of tens of billions of pounds in tax cuts and spending cuts. 

He asks if Zahawi was speaking on the behalf of the government when he said this and when he said the govt hadn’t tackled the cost of living crisis. 

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Leadership race pledges ‘good’ – PM 

PM says he has been listening carefully to the leadership race – and that he thinks all the commitments so far are “very good.” 

He praises his govt record on policing numbers and new hospitals. 

PM claims Labour supports £94bn in extra spending – that would all be funded by extra tax. 

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Stamer presses on tax rules

He asks if he agrees all leadership contenders should declare where they and their families are domiciled and whether they’ve been involved in offshore tax schemes.

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PM asked about off-shore tax schemes

Starmer asks if the PM agrees that offshore schemes can pose a risk because some people use them to avoid tax they owe here?

PM responds by saying he’s proud of the investment the UK attracts and is thrilled by “offshore people investing in the UK.” 

PM says it’s possible Starmer is referring to the MPs running for leader – and PM. He says any of the eight candidates could “wipe the floor with Captain Crash-a-roomy Snooze Fest.” 

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I’m continuing to run the country – PM 

PM Boris Johnson says “it’s perfectly true that I’m grateful for the ability to speak my mind” which he said he “hadn’t lost”. 

He says he’s continuing the government of the country and the first cost of living payment is arriving in the bank accounts of eight million people tomorrow. 

He says job vacancies are at an all-time high. 

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Non-dom rules 

Starmer jokes about the new cabinet – welcoming them even though they will only be there for a few weeks. 

He asks the PM if it’s time to “scrap the absurd rules” around non-dom tax status? 

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Tributes to Shinzo Abe

Boris Johnson pays tribute to murdered former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Sir Keir echos those tributes. 

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Two MPs kicked out

Two MPs representing Scottish seats – members of the Alba Party – Neal Hanvey and Kenny MacAskill are kicked out of the chamber following the rowdy scenes. 

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Wild scenes in Commons

PM starts amid rowdy cheers from the benches – Speaker Lindsay Hoyle orders MPs to “shut up a minute.” 

“I will not tolerate such behaviour” the Speaker angrily adds. “Shut up and get out” he repeats.