Summary

Live Reporting

Edited by Emily Atkinson and Malu Cursino

  1. Analysis

    The questions kept coming over Louise Haigh

    Harry Farley
    Political correspondent

    The questions over the former transport secretary Louise Haigh kept coming – as much as the prime minister tried to duck them.

    Haigh quit last week after it emerged she pleaded guilty to a fraud offence a decade ago. She told Keir Starmer about the case when he appointed her to his shadow cabinet in 2020, when Labour were in opposition.

    But Downing Street said “further information” had emerged which led to Haigh’s resignation. It is not clear what that “further information” is.

    Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, made repeated efforts to extract an answer, asking why Starmer “knowingly appointed a convicted fraudster” to his cabinet.

    Starmer said he wasn’t going to “disclose private conversations” and accused her of “obsessing with Westminster issues”.

    But as much as the prime minister wants to move on from his first cabinet resignation, the lack of clear answers mean the questions will keep coming.

    We're ending our live coverage now, but you can read our full account of today's PMQs in this story, or by scrolling back through our posts from midday onwards.

    The page was edited by Malu Cursino and Emily Atkinson. The writers were Matt Spivey, Seher Asaf, Kathryn Armstrong and Gabriela Pomeroy.

  2. Starmer to host the the Emir of Qatar later today

    It's a fast turnaround for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who's set to host the the Emir of Qatar later today.

    Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in the UK yesterday for a two-day state visit to the country. The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales led a royal welcome for the Emir, which included a glittering state banquet in Buckingham Palace.

    A government spokesperson says "Britain is seeking deeper ties with the wealthy Gulf state", adding that Starmer is hoping to secure "tangible benefits" for the country when it comes to security and the economy.

  3. The key lines from PMQs

    Keir Starmer facing camera in a suit with finger pointing, with Labour MPs sat behind him in House of CommonsPA Media

    Former transport secretary Louise Haigh's resignation and the economy were the two big themes at PMQs today, alongside questions on the NHS, electoral reform and much more.

    Here's a look back at the key moments:

    • Tory leader Kemi Badenoch pushed Starmer repeatedly on Haigh's position and resignation - "the country needs conviction politicians, not politicians with convictions", she said
    • After trying several times to divert the debate onto immigration, he eventually hit back by reminding Badenoch that two of her predecessors were fined for breaching Covid rules
    • On the economy, Starmer said the UK was on track to be the fastest growing economy in the next two years, citing a report from the OECD - but Badenoch accused him of ditching his election pledge on growth
    • Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey centred his questions on the NHS - responding, the PM said brining down waiting lists was a key focus for his government
    • Pushed on winter fuel payments, Starmer reiterated that "tough choices" had to be made in the Budget, and added the commitment to the triple lock
  4. BBC Verify

    What has the OECD said about the UK?

    By Anthony Reuben

    Earlier in PMQs, Keir Starmer referred to the OECD increasing its forecasts for growth in the UK economy.

    The OECD is an international organisation that makes economic forecasts twice a year.

    In its latest set released this morning, it predicted UK economic growth of 0.9% this year, 1.7% next year and 1.3% in 2026.

    In May it predicted 0.4% for this year and 1.0% for next year.

    While that is an improvement, it still puts the UK fourth in the G7 group of big economies this year, behind the US, Canada and France.

    Next year, it would mean our growth was third behind the US and Canada.

    Remember that the government has pledged to achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7.

  5. PMQs are over - but don't go anywhere

    CommonsUK Parliament

    That's a wrap on this week's PMQs, during which the prime minister faced questions over the resignation of his former transport secretary, the Budget and the economy.

    We'll wrap up the key lines for you shortly, so stay with us.

  6. What about possible Post Office closures?

    Shadow justice minister Kieran Mullen now asks the PM about concerns the Post Office is considering closing more than 100 branches.

    Does the PM agree that more most to be done to protect them?

    Starmer says he recognises Mullen's campaigning on this issue, and says he's happy to ensure gets meeting with the relevant ministers.

  7. How will PM relieve financial pressure on councils for Send provision?

    Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley, asks about the financial pressure local councils face over funding for children who special educational needs and disabilities (Send) provision.

    What more can the government do, she asks.

    Starmer says that today he is announcing £740m of funding to increase the number of places for pupils with Send in mainstream schools in England.

  8. PM pressed on winter fuel payment

    We move now to the questions from backbench MPs.

    Shockat Adam, MP for Leicester South, says one of his constituents is concerned over the winter fuel payment cuts as she won't be able to keep her home warm this year.

    Does the PM realise how frightening it is for people in his constituency who will lose the help, he asks.

    Starmer says getting the finances in order was the priority for the government, which meant making "tough choices".

    He adds that the government has committed to the triple lock.

  9. Bringing down NHS waiting lists a key focus, says Starmer

    Ed DaveyUK Parliament

    Davey says people are stuck on NHS waiting lists for 18 weeks and insists this needs to be fixed.

    He asks Starmer if he accepts that waiting lists can only be brought down, and kept down, if it's made easier for people to see their GP when needed.

    Starmer adds that his government is already working to fix NHS waiting lists and says this is already a key focus.

  10. Lib Dems ask - will PM look at electoral reform?

    Up next is Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey - he gets to ask the PM two questions.

    Reforming the electoral system is a crucial part of restoring trust in politics, he says.

    Will the PM find government time to consider a bill on electoral reform?

    Starmer says "proportional representation is not a our policy" and that "we won't be making time for it".

    He says Davey didn't do too badly in the last election with the current system in place.

  11. What about Labour's plans for growth?

    PMQsUK Parliament

    Pushing back, Badenoch accuses the PM of ditched his pledge to make the UK the fastest growing economy in the G7.

    Why should anyone believe a word he says, she asks.

    Starmer says Badenoch clearly hasn't read a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which predicts the UK will have the fastest growth in next two years.

    He adds that the Tories shouldn't forget the damage they did to the UK, saying "they haven't listened, they haven't learned".

  12. Leaders clash over economy

    Badenoch now says the Tories are here to stop Labour damaging the economy.

    The government talks about increasing employers' National Insurance, but they have no idea what people in the country are dealing with, the Tory leader says.

    "Why won't he listen to business who are saying his Budget was catastrophic?" she asks.

    Starmer refers to the so-called £22bn black hole in the nation's finances. "The party opposite broke the economy," he says.

  13. Jeers as Starmer hits back with Tory Covid convictions

    Starmer PMQsUK Parliament

    Badenoch moves on from Louise Haigh - putting it to the Commons that Labour's Budget is an "even bigger fraud", adding that he failed to repeat the pledge of no more borrowing and spending.

    She asks if he stand by his promise to make the UK one of the fastest growing economies in the G7.

    Returning to Badenoch's previous jibe, Starmer "gently reminds" Badenoch that two of her predecessors had convictions for breaking Covid rules, which is met by jeers from the benches.

    He insists that there is upgraded growth, putting the UK on target to be the highest growing economy in the next two years.

  14. 'The country needs conviction politicians, not politicians with convictions'

    "He never answers any questions", Badenoch says of Starmer, and it seems "he never asks them either".

    Why did the prime minister appoint "someone convicted of fraud" to be transport secretary, Badenoch asks, pressing the PM on Louise Haigh's position for a third time.

    She says Starmer owes the public an explanation. "The country needs conviction politicians, not politicians with convictions," she says.

    Starmer does not respond directly to the question, diverting again to immigration.

  15. Badenoch pushes again on Haigh question

    BadenochUK Parliament

    Badenoch again presses the PM on Haigh's resignation - asking him to elaborate on what new information came to light.

    Starmer responds by saying he won't disclose private information. "Further information came to light," he repeats.

    He again takes aim at the "Tory open borders policy".

  16. PM swerves question with immigration jibe

    Starmer does not answer the question - although does say Louise Haigh resigned "when further information came forward".

    He instead changes the subject, and says there were record levels of immigration under the last government.

    He says Badenoch was cheering on the removal of the caps for work visas when the Conservative Party was in power.

  17. Starmer pressed on former transport secretary's resignation

    Badenoch at PMQsUK Parliament

    After a series of short, opening questions from backbench MPs, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch gets to her feet.

    For her opening gambit, she poses a question she says is the lips of many Labour MPs.

    The PM appointed "a fraudster" to be his transport secretary - what was he thinking?

    Some context: Louise Haigh resigned as transport secretary last week after it emerged she pleaded guilty to a fraud offence a decade ago.

  18. Starmer on his feet

    Keir Starmer in suit and tie standing in front of microphone, with hands crossed, with other MPs behind himUK Parliament

    The prime minister takes his place at the dispatch box and PMQs begins.

    We'll be bringing you rolling coverage of the key lines here - tap watch live above to follow along.

  19. BBC Verify

    Farming tax row: Which figures are more reliable and why

    Farmers protest in central London over the changes to inheritance taxPA Media

    By Ben Chu

    As our political correspondent Harry Farley just mentioned, the row over the government's inheritance tax plans for farmers could come up at PMQs today.

    Since the government unveiled them in last month’s Budget, there has been intense debate about how many people will be affected and to what extent.

    Many of the claims from the government have been hotly contested by farmers, and BBC Verify has come under scrutiny over some of the figures it has relied on to try to establish the number of farms impacted by the change.

    The debate has revolved around estimates provided by farmers’ groups, including that the new tax could "harm" up to 70,000 farms over time.

    Our analysis found that the figure was likely to be somewhere closer to the number provided by the government - about 500 estates per year. That remains our assessment.

    Farmers' groups say the changes have been “built on bad data”. The government says it wants to make the inheritance tax system fairer and discourage wealthy people from investing in land solely to avoid the tax.

    In this piece, we go through all the numbers and examine the claims and counter-claims.

  20. Analysis

    Farming, taxes, prisons? Badenoch has a long list to choose from

    Harry Farley
    Political correspondent

    Sir Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs today as he prepares to give a major speech tomorrow setting out targets for his government’s priorities.

    Downing Street insists this isn’t a reset after a difficult first few months in office. But expect plenty of jibes from the opposition along those lines.

    The Conservatives are holding two debates in Parliament this afternoon on farming and inheritance tax, as well as the increase to employers’ National Insurance contributions announced in the Budget. So don’t be surprised if Badenoch chooses to question Starmer on those areas.

    On farming, I’ve spoken to several new Labour MPs in predominantly rural constituencies who are privately pressing the government to offer mitigations to the planned inheritance tax changes. So far there is no sign ministers are budging.

    For Starmer’s part, the National Audit Office has handed him some useful political ammunition to throw back at the Conservatives. Its report this morning blamed the current crisis in prisons on “the result of previous governments’ failure to ensure that the number of prison places was aligned with criminal justice policies".