Burghart fires back, saying that the Ukraine war and Covid are what drove up inflation when the Conservatives were in government.

"Starmerism" is now preventing growth, he declares.

He moves to the farmers' protest, which saw more thousands descend on Westminster yesterday to express their anger at changes to inheritance tax (IHT).

Asked what she'd like to say to these protestors, Rayner says that her government is "committed" to farmers, before setting out some measures that Rachel Reeves set out in the Budget that she says will support them.

Brian Wheeler

There's a big cheer from the Tory benches as Burghart gets to his feet.

A brief question about inflation to steady the nerves. This is safe territory for him.

Another question from Alex Burghart - city economists said this morning that next year inflation will hit 3%, he says.

He asks Rayner whether she agrees that this government's decisions means higher inflation for working people.

Rayner replies, asking Burghart: "11.1% or 3%?"

Chris Mason
Political editor

Here we go with the B Team at Prime Minister’s Questions. In other words, no prime minister – he is on his way back from the G20 Summit in Brazil.

So, as we have seen before, Angela Rayner is standing in for Sir Keir Starmer as deputy prime minister.

But the Conservatives don’t have a deputy leader after Kemi Badenoch decided not to appoint one.

So Alex Burghart was asked to stand in for her this week – it is convention that when the PM is away the other parties field stand ins too.

I am told the Conservatives will rotate who gets to stand in for Badenoch in the future – senior frontbenchers will be able to volunteer to do it.

I notice that Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, is also not here – deputy leader Daisy Cooper is in his usual place.

Rayner points out that Burghart was a minister under Liz Truss, when inflation was 11.1%, and says the government is "doing much better than he did" - but does not answer his question.

"His party couldn't even get the money out of the door for farmers," she says, adding that Labour has committed £5m to sustainable farming.

Alex Burghart - the Conservative MP chosen to deputise for Kemi Badenoch today - opens with a concise question: what is the government doing to reduce inflation?

Brian Wheeler

Alex Burghart looks a little apprehensive as he waits for his big moment. He’s fiddling with his pen and gazing around nervously.

Brian Wheeler
Political reporter

Image source, Reuters

Alex Burghart has just arrived in the Commons chamber for what will be the biggest moment of his political career so far.

How will he fare against Angela Rayner, who is well used to standing in for Sir Keir Starmer?

Rayner had a bantering relationship with Oliver Dowden, who used to stand in for Rishi Sunak on these occasions.

Their exchanges were often sharper and more entertaining than the main event.

But Burghart is an unknown quantity.

Dowden is sitting on the Tory back benches to see how his replacement gets on.

No pressure…

Emily Atkinson
Live page editor

PMQs is almost upon us.

As a reminder, it won't be PM Keir Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch facing off today - instead, it's the turn of their deputies, Labour's Angela Rayner and, for one week only, shadow Northern Ireland secretary Alex Burghart.

We'll be updating you on all the key lines here - follow along by hitting watch live above.

Earlier this morning, the BBC reported on the rise in the inflation rate to 2.3% in the year to October - its highest rate for six months.

This rise was caused by an increase in energy prices.

Higher inflation pushes up the cost of living for households, and can lead to interest rates remaining at a higher level, making the cost of loans, credit cards and mortgages, more expensive.

It will likely be a big talking point at PMQs today as the government continues to defend its Budget.

Image source, Reuters

Usually, Keir Starmer would usually be warming up to face questions from MPs and opposition leaders.

But, as we've mentioned, he's out of the country to attend the G20 leaders' summit in Brazil.

While out there, he’s been speaking about the war in Ukraine, trade with India, the UK’s relationship with China, and meeting with other world leaders.

He's expected to arrive back in the UK later on Wednesday.

Image source, Reuters

On Tuesday, thousands of British farmers protested on Whitehall over new inheritance tax rules introduced by the Labour government.

Many farmers argue that while they are asset rich - for example in terms of their land and livestock - they are cash poor. They say the changes would mean they would have to sell up to be able to pay the tax.

From April 2026, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m, which were previously exempt, will be liable to the tax at 20% - half the usual inheritance tax rate.

Other allowances could mean a couple who are married or in a civil partnership could pass on a farm worth as much as £3m.

The prime minister said he understood farmers' concerns and "wants to support" them but added "the vast majority" would be unaffected.

Keep an ear out for further questions on the tax plans in the Commons today.

On what would have been just her third PMQs, Badenoch will have to sit this one outpublished at 11:34 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November

11:34 GMT 20 November

Chris Mason
Political editor

There will be a prominent new face at Prime Minister’s Questions this week – the Conservative frontbencher Alex Burghart.

The shadow Northern Ireland secretary will deputise for the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch at the weekly question session.

With the prime minister at the G20 Summit in Rio De Janeiro, the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will answer questions for the government.

Convention dictates that when the prime minister is away, the Conservatives also field a deputising figure.

Kemi Badenoch chose not to appoint a deputy when she assembled her frontbench team, so it wasn’t clear who would stand in for her.

It would have been just her third outing at PMQs, but now she will miss a week.

The Conservatives were formally notified today that the PM would be absent.

He is expected to return to the UK later on Wednesday.

Burghart, who is also the shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, has been one of the team that have helped prepare Mrs Badenoch for her encounters with Starmer. He will now have the chance to ask the questions himself.

The last time Starmer was absent on a Wednesday, Oliver Dowden asked questions for the Conservatives, as it was before Kemi Badenoch replaced Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader.

Image source, Reuters

Conservative MP Alex Burghart will be stepping in for his party’s leader, Kemi Badenoch, today as he faces Angela Rayner.

He is the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, and the shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Burghart has been part of the team to help Badenoch prepare for encounters with Keir Starmer, and will be asking the questions today.

The 47-year-old, from Dorset, has been the MP for Brentwood and Ongar since 2017.

Emily Atkinson
Live page editor

Image source, PA Media

This week, the House of Commons will see the deputy prime minister take questions at PMQs - so, for today, it’s DPMQs.

Labour’s Angela Rayner will be in the firing line, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer travels back from the G20 leaders' summit in Brazil.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch will also be replaced by a deputy, as per convention when this situation arises. She's chosen shadow Northern Ireland secretary Alex Burghart to cover for her.

We’ll bring you live updates on the key lines and analysis as it unfolds, so stick with us.

You'll be able to follow the debate by clicking watch live at the top of this page from midday.