This week’s PMQs was another lively performance, with most of the focus being on Suella Braverman and immigration.

Today saw another U-turn from another Tory PM – Rishi Sunak has now U-turned on attending COP27. Whilst his appearance will be welcomed, the fact another Tory PM has started U-turning so soon into his premiership, it does not suggest a lot of stability in the government.

Sunak had previously said he would stick to the manifesto – but today he refused to commit to the pensions triple lock amongst others.

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People don’t want any more spin – Ian Blackford

SNP’s Ian Blackford asks the PM if he will raise benefits and pensions in line with inflation. He said people “don’t need more spin about compassionate conservatism” but instead need “a straight answer to a simple question”.

Sunak says he can’t comment on specific fiscal decisions before the autumn statement, but added all decisions made by him as PM would have “fairness and compassion” at the heart. 

Blackford’s second question reiterates his first about if the PM will protect those in need by increasing benefits and maintaining the triple lock on pensions. 

He goes on to suggest the PM should bring in a windfall tax or reinstate the cap on bankers’ bonuses. 

Sunak replies that he introduced a new levy on oil and gas companies, but again does not answer about pension and benefits. 

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PMQs LIVE: PM made grubby deal with Braverman, says Starmer

Starmer says PM is blaming others for the asylum system. 

“So much for the new age of accountability,” he adds.

“Of all the people who arrived in small boats last year how many asylum claims have been processed?”, he asks.

PM says not enough claims have been dealt with and then once again attacks Starmer’s record on immigration. 

Keir hits back saying just 4% of people arriving via small boats last year had their claim processed. 

He says four thousand people have been crammed in at the Manston processing centre and diseases are breaking out, Starmer says. 

Finally, he asks: “Did the home secretary receive advice that she should move people out?”

Sunak ignores the question. 

But says Braverman has pledged new hotels, thousands of beds and increased staffing at Manston. 

Starmer hits back again saying the PM made a “grubby deal” to reappoint Suella Braverman as home secretary “so he could dodge an election.” 

He accuses her of breaking  the ministerial code, losing control of a refugee centre and “putting our security at risk.” 

Why doesn’t Sunak get “a proper home secretary”, scrap the “gimmick” of plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda, end small boat crossings and agree an international deal on refugees, he asks.

Sunak replies that Starmer “rightly raised the topic of national security”, using the statement to attack him for his support of Jeremy Corbyn in 2019.

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Rwanda plan “isn’t working” – Starmer 

Starmer says let’s have a look at the plan Sunak claims to have. 

Focusing on the Rwanda plan he says it cost taxpayers £140million and no one has even been deported. 

The deal “isn’t working”, Sir Keir adds. “He hasn’t got a grip.”

Sunak points the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, being unable to answer a question on how to tackle migration.

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Sunak replies saying people want to see the government getting a grip on migration. He then says Starmer voted against the nationality and border bills, the Rwanda policy and to end the free movement of people from Europe. 

Sunak adds that not only do Labour not have a plan, they have voted against every single measure to solve the problem. 

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Tories broke asylum system – Starmer

Keir Starmer says Sunak’s home secretary Suella Braverman admits the asylum system is broken. 

“Who broke it?” he asks the PM.

Rishi Sunak hits back at Sir Keir for suggesting the system is broken and instead points to the Tories delivering a Brexit referendum and ending the free movement of people. 

No-one wants open borders, says Starmer, accusing the Tories of losing control of the borders. 

He says Tories have been in power for 12 years and says Sunak is trying to “pass the blame.” 

“How can it be anyone’s fault but theirs?” he asks.

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PMQs starts … 

The PM is on his feet – 

Dame Meg Hillier asks what more Suella Braverman needs to do to get sacked.

PM Sunak responds saying Bravernment made an error of judgement, recognised the mistake and took accountability. 

He said she had set out the full sequence of event and was not getting on with the job. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkLQTEbAC4s/

I will co-operate with Partygate inquiry 

Labour’s Ruth Jones asks if he will co-operate with partygate inquiry if called to give evidence by the Privileges Committee investigation into Johnson.

“Of course,” replies Sunak

Will Sunak support indyref2? 

The SNP’s Alyn Smith says a poll showed 72% of Scots want to rejoin the EU – and asks the PM, in order to maintain credibility, how long can he deny Scotland’s democracy?

PM asks the MP to respect the result of the Brexit referendum. 

Winter of uncertainty – SNP Ian Blackford

SNP’s Ian Blackford congratulates Sunak on becoming the first British Asian PM. 

He says people are facing a “winter of uncertainty ahead” and asks PM to guarantee that benefits will rise in line with inflation. 

Sunak doesn’t answer the question directly, but says he has “always acted in a way to protect the most vulnerable”, saying the Conservatives are a “compassionate party”.

Blackford on Braverman re-appointment 

In his second question, Blackford asks whether Sunak will sack Suella Braverman for her data breach. 

He accuses Sunak of a “sleazy backroom deal” with Braverman to get her back into No10 and bring the support of the right-wing of the party. 

Sunak responds by talking about the positive conversation he had with Scotland’s FM Nicola Sturgeon and says he looks forward to working together “for the people of Scotland.” 

He adds: “I believe in a strong United Kingdom”.

Labour lost last election – PM 

PM responds by saying Starmer talks about mandates and elections but Labour tried to overturn the “biggest democratic vote in our country’s history” – a Brexit dig. 

He says the Tories’ mandate is based on the manifesto they were elected on, and reminds Labour they lost the last general election.

He pledges to work for a stronger NHS, better schools, safer streets, control of borders and levelling up.

‘He says one thing, does another’ – Starmer

Starmer says PM “says one thing and does another” when it comes to levelling up in the north.

He repeats his call for a general election.

He points out that Sunak was beaten in the summer leadership contest by Liz Truss – who herself was “beaten by a lettuce“.

Mistakes were made – Sunak 

Sunak makes a dig saying Starmer doesn’t leave north London. But if he does, “he will know that there are deprived areas in our rural communities, in our coastal communities, and across the south”.He says this govt will support them. 

He says he’s “the first to admit that mistakes were made” in last few weeks, but goes on to say “that is the difference” between him and the Labour leader.

He says he was honest over the summer about the difficulties the country faced but Starmer was noy. 

“He promised his party he would borrow billions and billions of pounds, he told his party what it wanted to hear,” he says.

“Leadership is not selling fairy tales, it is confronting challenges and that is what the public will get from this government.”

Sunak diverted public money from deprived areas – Starmer

Starmer says PM pretends to be on the side of working people but reminds people of the video that was leaked of Sunak saying he diverted public money from “deprived urban areas.” 

“Rather than apologise or pretend he meant something else, why doesn’t he do the right thing and undo the changes he made to those funding formulas?,” Starmer says to loud cheers from the Labour benches.

Difficult decisions to restore economic stability – PM 

The PM says difficult decisions need to be taken to restore economic stability and confidence. 

PM confirms chancellor will set out that out in the Autumn statement in a few weeks. 

He says the government will always protect the most vulnerable, as it did in Covid. 

He says “we will restore economic stability in a fair and compassionate way”.

‘Was home secretary right to resign?’ – Starmer

New PM Sunak is cheered as he arrives. 

He is welcomed by Starmer and several point to the historic moment for Britain to have its first British Asian PM. 

Then Starmer asks: “Was the home secretary right to resign last week for a breach of security?”

PM says Braverman made an error of judgement but she had recognised that and he welcomed her back into a united cabinet. 

Starmer presses again on Suella Braverman. 

He says the new PM promised to govern with integrity but points he just re-appointed a woman forced to quit her job just a week ago. 

Starmer asks: “Have officials raised concerns about his decision to appoint her?”