February 9, 2022
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Quick Guide: When will we know who has won the UK general election?
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PMQs Live
Government all talk no action – Starmer
Starmer’s final question sees him say less than 1% of those arriving on small boats have been processed and the asylum system is broken.
He says that after 13 years of the Conservatives in power, trafficking gangs are “laughing all the way to the bank”.
The government, he adds, is offering “all talk and no action,” and the “same old gimmicks and empty promises”.
Labour does not want open borders
Starmer hits back and says Labour does not want open borders – and it is the Conservatives that have “lost control of the borders”.
He says if the prime minister were “serious,” he would be stealing Labour’s own plan for small boats, saying the government’s plan is “all talk”.
“If he was serious… he would smash the gangs, sort out the returns and clean up the utter mess.”
He then asks Sunak when he will achieve his plan to stop the boats.
Labour on side of people smugglers – Sunak
PM makes a controversial statement saying Labour is on the side of the people smugglers as they fail to recognise there is a global migration problem.
The UK will remain compassionate says PM but the new bill makes it clear people who arrive illegally will be deported.
Labour’s policy is open door immigration and unlimited asylum, PM says.
Five utter failures on asylum – Starmer
Starmer begins saying by referring to “five utter failures” in the Conservatives’ migration policies while in government.
“The problem just gets worse with every new gimmick”, the Labour leader says, referring to the government’s latest asylum proposals.
He asks if Sunak agrees with an assessment by the home secretary that there has been “inadequate” action on the issue.
PM Sunak: I will publish my tax returns
PM Sunak confirms he will publish his tax returns soon, including his US tax returns.
Happy International Women’s Day marked
PM praises International Women’s Day. He says his government is making “huge strides” for the equality of women. He announces a new women and girls strategy.
PMQs kicks off. PM Sunak is set
PMQs – ‘I rebut and refute any bullying claims made’ says Dominic Raab
‘It’s anti-buylling week, will he apologise’ – Rayner
Rayner now mentions the formal complaints that have been made against Dominic Raab.
‘In anti-bullying week, will he apologise?, she asks.
Raab responds by saying he’s “confident that I behaved professionally throughout” his time as minister.
Rayner responds by saying Raab had to demand an investigation into himself because the PM is “too weak to get a grip.”
“The deputy prime minister knows his behaviour was unacceptable, so what’s he still doing here?” she asks.
Raab responds by saying: “I will thoroughly rebut and refute any claims made,” he states, reiterating that Rayner “hasn’t put a specific point to me”.
“If she wants to I’ll be very happy to address it,” he says.
Rayner now asks about the lack of details about when the bullying allegations will be investigated. Rayner says the government has “no ethics, no integrity, no mandate”.
“When will they appoint an independent ethics adviser and drain the swamp?”, she asks.
Raab replies that “the recruitment of the new ethics adviser is already under way and taking place at pace,” to laughter from the Labour benches.
Rayner asks about tax havens
Rayner asks Raab whether he accepts that every pound hidden in tax havens is a pound lost from the pockets of working families.
Raab responds that the government wants “people to come to this country” and to create jobs for British people.
He says the government’s approach to non-dom status and incentives for big tech companies are enabling business people to come to the UK.
Rayner says working people are paying the price for the government’s choices, and says they’re choosing to protect corporate profits and not household incomes.
Raab responds that Rayner knows unemployment remains at the 50-year low in the UK and stands at “half the level left by the last Labour government”. – (BBC)
On Ukraine
Rayner begins on Ukraine, asking whether Raab agrees that the fact that Russia is launching missile attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure shows the “utter contempt” President Putin has for the international order. – (BBC)
Raab responds to Angela Rayner’s first question, saying he “100%” agrees that Russia launching missile attacks on Ukrainian civilians shows Putin’s “utter contempt”. – (BBC)
Dominic Raab says the UK stands in solidarity with Poland and is working with allies to find out what happened.
Labour’s Clive Betts asks about integrity and whether Raab believes that all ministers should follow certain principles. He asks the PM if he agrees no minister who has had a complaint of bullying upheld against them should serve in government.
Raab says he behaved professionally throughout and as soon as he was notified about formal complaints against him he asked the PM to set up an independent investigation.
PMQs Live – Dominic Raab stands in for PM as inflation soars
This week’s PMQs will be dominated by the economy as inflation has risen to 11.1%.
Dominic Raab will be standing in for the prime minister who is attending the G20 summit in Bali.
How to watch PMQs today
PMQs will start at its usual time of midday in the House of Commons.
You can watch online here
What should we expect from PMQs?
Labour’s Angela Rayner is likely to question Dominic Raab over the economy, with Thursday’s Autumn statement looming, amid rising inflation and a cost of living crisis.
The deputy PM is likely to be questioned over allegations that he bullied junior colleagues. Labour’s Rayner has already called for an independent investigation into Raab. “Rishi Sunak clearly knew about Dominic Raab’s reputation when he reappointed him to his Cabinet,” she said.
PM Rishi Sunak has so far stood by his deputy, saying: “I don’t recognise that characterisation of Dominic and I’m not aware of any formal complaints about him.
“Of course there are established procedures for civil servants if they want to bring to light any issues. I’m not aware of any formal complaint about Dominic.”
PMQs live – Rishi Sunak to face a grilling after Gavin Williamson scandals
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to face a grilling from MPs today – at this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.
The PM faces his third PMQs session where Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is set to question him on the allegations around Gavin Williamson and his eventual resignation from Cabinet.
The PM has returned from the COP27 summit in Egypt where he met other world leaders for the first time since becoming the prime minister.
If the previous PMQs are anything to go by – this session will be another lively exchange between the PM and the Labour leader.
Sunak will be flanked by his cabinet ministers Dominic Raab and the controversial Suella Braverman – there may even be questions on Matt Hancock who recently entered the ITV reality show I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!
This week’s biggest scandal in UK politics has been the allegations made against Sir Gavin and his subsequent resignation – Labour is questioning the leadership and judgement of the prime minister.
Recent polls show a large lead for Labour – so today’s PMQs could be another defining chapter for the Tories.
Both sides will need to bring high energy to the session.
When is PMQs?
PMQs gets underway in the House of Commons at 12 pm each Wednesday afternoon. The session lasts around 30 minutes, usually finishing at around 12.30 pm.
How to watch PMQs
Today’s Prime Minister’s Questions can be viewed on the UK Parliament Youtube channel here – WATCH LIVE
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
