February 9, 2022
12:07 pm
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PMQs Live
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?”
PMQs live stream: PM Rishi Sunak in the hot seat
The new prime minister Rishi Sunak will face his first edition of PMQs today.
He is Britain’s first British Asian PM and addressed the nation from outside No10. He met with King Charles on Tuesday where he was officially appointed PM.
Rishi Sunak then embarked on his cabinet reshuffle – bringing together people from across the Tory party. He and his cabinet met for the first time on Wednesday morning.
How to watch PMQs live today
You’ll be able to watch Mr Sunak’s first PMQs via on a live stream on this page, while it is also broadcast live on the UK Parliament YouTube channel.
What time is PMQs today
PMQs starts at its usual time of midday and will last roughly half hour.
What can you expect from Rishi Sunak’s first PMQs?
Sunak will be facing some tough questions today – everything from the October fiscal statement, to the reappointment of Suella Braverman.
Sir Keir will be on the attack at PMQs and will tell Labour MPs that Sunak is a weak PM who will always put the Tory party before the country.
There is expected to be multiple calls for a general election.
There will be comments about his appointment – and lack of voting – and no doubt comments will be made about the short premiership of Liz Truss.
Quick recap on key moments at PMQs?
This week’s Prime Minister’s Questions was, as expected, a fiery face-off between the embattled PM and Keir Starmer. Many interesting points have emerged from this week’s PMQs, including ANOTHER U-turn.
There was heckles for her to “resign” and many MPs asked why she hadn’t quit. Starmer and Ian Blackford made digs about chancellor Jeremy Hunt being the real prime minister.
- PM said she was “completely committed” to raising pension in line with inflation (the triple lock policy). It feels like a U-turn on a U-turn after her new chancellor on Monday said the government could not commit to it
- Truss did not make the same promise to raise benefits in line with inflation when asked by a Tory MP
- “I’m a fighter, not a quitter” – PM said after Starmer read out a list of all the PM’s abandoned economic policies
- Starmer said Truss had “crashed” the economy and pointed out her previous promise of “no spending reductions” – the chancellor now says there will be cuts. In response, Truss said spending would rise, but the government needed to get value for taxpayers’ money
- PM apologised for her mistakes and the many U-turns
– WATCH: THIS WEEK’S PMQs & Follow along with TEXT updates
PMQs LIVE – ‘I’m a fighter not a quitter’ says Truss
Lib Dems Ed Davey
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey asks if support including the Carers’ Allowance will rise at least in line with inflation.
Truss says her government introduced the energy price guarantee.
“We will always support the most vulnerable, they will always be our priority,” she finishes.
SNP’s Ian Blackford says it’s “not just pensioners feeling pain” listing increases in inflation, mortgage rates and energy bills.
SNPs Ian Blackford
“Why does she expect anyone else to pay the price for her failure?”
Truss responds by saying Blackford cannot take yes for an answer and says she has been clear in protecting the triple lock on pensions.
She then criticised Blackford accusing him of trying to create divisions with indyref2.
Truss commits to inflation-linked pensions increase
Asked about increasing pensions in line with inflation, Truss says: “I am completely committed to the triple lock and so is the chancellor”.
I’m a fighter not a quitter – Truss
The PM says “I am a fighter and not a quitter”.
“I have acted in the national interest to make sure that we have economic stability.”
Why are you still here? – Starmer
Labour leader says the only mandate the PM has ever had was built on fantasy economics and ended in disaster.
He says the country has nothing to show for it except the destruction of the economy and the imposition of the Tory party.
Starmer then mentions Monday’s mini-Budget being ditched. “Her chancellor is gone as well, so why is she still here?” Starmer asks.
Why should Brits trust Tories with economy?
Starmer says Truss is the one now asking questions because Labour are the government-in-waiting whilst the Tories are the opposition-in-waiting.
He says the PM shouldn’t have conducted an experiment on the British public with her economic plans.
“Why should the British people trust the Tories with the economy?” he asks.
Truss responds by saying Starmer isn’t condemning any of her new policies announced by the new chancellor. She criticises Starmer for not dealing with unions.
Spending cuts on the table because Tories crashed the economy – Starmer
PM says government spending will go up next year and the year after, but they need to get value for taxpayers’ money.
Starmer says spending cuts are only on the table because the Conservatives “crashed the economy” and working people will have to pay £500 more per month on mortgages.
Economic condition
“The fact is interest rates are rising across the world, and the economic conditions have worsened. We are being honest, we are levelling with the public,” Truss says.
On the train strikes, she says: “We are bringing forward policies that are going to make sure our railways are protected.
“He backs the strikers, we back the strivers.”
How can you be held to account when you’re not in charge – Starmer
Starmer says during the last PMQs the PM ignored every question put to her and criticised Labour’s plan to put a six-month freeze on energy bills, but says the new chancellor has now made it her policy.
He asks: “How can she be held to account when not in charge?”
Truss responds to Starmer’s second question.
“I had to take the decision because of the economic situation to adjust our policies,” she says.
“I am somebody who is prepared to front up, I’m prepared to take the tough decisions, unlike the honourable gentleman,” she says, adding “he’s got no plan.”
Starmer hits back by saying the PM promised “absolutely no spending reductions” and Tory MPs cheered it, pointing out the new Chancellor has now said there will be cuts to government budgets.
He asks: “What is the point of a prime minister whose promises don’t last a week?”
Will you be gone by Christmas? – Starmer
Starmer says a book is being written about Liz Truss’s time in office – saying that it’s due out by Christmas.
He asks whether that is the book’s release date or when she will be gone by?
The PM responds by saying she’s been in office for under two months and has delivered the energy price guarantee, reversed the National Insurance hike and her government is going to “crack down on militant unions.”
And so it begins ….
Truss is on her feet in the Commons. The first question from Labour’s Justin Madders.
He asks why Kwasi Kwarteng lost his job over the mini-Budget disaster but she got to keep hers. He also asks why she didn’t go to the Commons on Monday to apologise.
She responds by saying she is sorry and admits she has made mistakes and is getting on with the job.
She’s heckled with calls for her to resign.
