We're hearing now from the SNP's Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn. He begins by welcoming the new members of the chamber.

Addressing the Speaker-elect, Flynn says it's "safe to say didn't always see eye to eye”, which draws a laugh from the chamber.

He adds that it is important to let “bygones be bygones” in both life and politics and that he looks forward to working constructively together.

Sir Ed Davey is next to congratulate Hoyle.

The Lib Dem leader says the new Labour government faces difficult tasks ahead and clearing an inherited mess.

He vows to hold the government to account.

"We on this benches want to work constructively with you," Davey says.

He also praises Sir Lindsay Hoyle for looking after the health, security and welfare of MPs.

Mother of the House Diane Abbott also congratulates the Speaker, who she says has held the role through tumultuous times – but has done so with grace and fairness.

She congratulates the new MPs, saying it is a great job and they will "never regret coming here".

When she started as an MP there were only 40 female MPs, she says, and now there are now more than 200.

Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh pays tribute to Hoyle as champion of MPs.

He goes on to echo Starmer's comments about the most diverse parliament in history, noting "above all we are a Parliament of a diversity of views".

"We are all equal, although to be fair some of us are more equal than others," he jokes.

Leigh then pays tribute to his predecessor Sir Peter Bottomley, concluding his speech by telling his colleagues: "Have fun, do some good, and make people happy."

Sunak finishes by thanking House of Commons staff and congratulating Sir Lindsay Hoyle on his re-election as Speaker.

He praises Hoyle for his actions after the murder of Tory MP Sir David Amess who was stabbed to death in 2021.

The Tory leader says it is a "privilege to be in this House" adding "our democracy is powerful".

"This house will hold the executive to account," Sunak says and adds: "We will all welcome your leadership and guidance in the coming years."

In a message to Conservative MPs that lost their seats, Sunak says: "I am sorry".

He adds that his party has lost "too many diligent" colleagues.

Sunak tells the House that it's important the Conservative party rebuilds as it takes up the crucial" role of the opposition.

He says being in opposition allows the party to hold the new government to account and goes on to commend Sir Edward Leigh, the new Father of the House.

Sunak then commends the new Mother of the House, Diane Abbott, and calls her an inspiration for young women of colour and a "trailblazer".

For the first time since his party lost the election, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stands up for his speech.

He addresses the Commons from the opposition benches, facing the government benches where his party sat just weeks ago.

"Can I start by congratulating the prime minister on his election victory and as he takes on his formidable task. He and his family deserve the good wishes of all of us in this House." he begins.

Image source, PA

Starmer begins his speech by congratulating Sir Lindsay Hoyle on his re-election as Speaker.

He praises Speaker's support for former Tory MP Craig Mackinlay, who lost his hands and feet after suffering a life-threatening episode of sepsis.

He expresses his gratitude to the new members to Parliament and welcomes them to the House of Commons.

Starmer goes on to hail Parliament as the most diverse in history. He notes that the election has returned the largest number of LGBT MPs of any legislature in the world.

He pays tribute to Mother of the House Dianne Abbott, welcoming the returned Labour MP back to her place in the Commons.

The prime minister goes on to say new MPs have the opportunity and the responsibility to "replace the politics of performance" with service.

The new prime minister receives a roar of applause from the packed government benches as he gets to his feet and takes his place at the dispatch box.

It is the first time in more than a decade that the Labour Party has occupied these frontbenches.

The Speaker has been dragged from the benches to the chair by MPs – a tradition in the House of Commons that happens when someone picks up the role.

The tradition is rooted in the Speaker's function to communicate the Commons' opinions to the monarch. You can read more about that here., external

He thanks the House for the "honour" and promises to "preserve and cherish" its traditions.

MPs are then called to vote on Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s re-election - and a resounding cheer shows "the ayes have it".

And with that, Hoyle’s selection is approved.

He will take his chair at a later stage.

Hoyle says that if re-elected, he will be guided by experience and wisdom, as well as being "fair, impartial and independent".

"To say I have had the most unusual speakership in the last Parliament is an understatement," Hoyle says.

"From ensuring the House could function during the pandemic to to adapting technology to allow President Zelensky to be the first world leader to broadcast to MPs in this chamber."

Hoyle adds that it was an honour to attend the lying-in-state of the late Queen Elizabeth II and also the coronation of King Charles III.

We've just seen former Prime Minister - and now Leader of the Opposition - Rishi Sunak on the opposition benches in the Commons.

He's flanked by Oliver Dowden, who is now deputy leader of the opposition, and Jeremy Hunt, who is shadow chancellor.

Speaker-elect Hoyle answers in the affirmative.

Addressing MPs from the backbenches, he thanks his family and his constituency, Chorley, for allowing him to put himself forward again as Speaker.

Hoyle goes on to welcome all the new MPs.

We’re back once again in the House of Commons.

Sir Edward Leigh, Father of the House, is presiding over the selection of the new Speaker.

He asks Sir Lindsay Hoyle - who stood at the election as the "Speaker seeking re-election” - if he is willing to assume the role once again.

(It's all for show - his appointment is not expected to be contested.)

Joe Pike
Political correspondent

It is rare to see a dog in the Commons - beyond police sniffer dogs.

Today Steve Darling, the new Lib Dem MP for Torbay, is sitting in the chamber with his golden retriever guide dog Jennie.

Earlier she was being stroked by other MPs but Jennie has now fallen asleep, lying her head on the green Commons carpet.

MPs are now in the House of Lords where they are being directed to choose a Speaker by the presiding Royal Commissioner.

The Commons and the Royal Commissioners will afterwards depart for the Commons.

Here's the first picture of Keir Starmer's frontbench team, sitting on the government benches for the first time in 14 years:

Fronted by Black Rod Sarah Clarke and new Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh, MPs begin to file out of the Commons.

They will now walk to the House of Lords, where they will elect a new Speaker.

Image source, Getty Images

It’s out with the old and in with the new for the return of Parliament today – a ceremony steeped in ancient tradition.

There are several key parts to this, but one person in particular takes centre stage: Black Rod.

Who is Black Rod? Black Rod Sarah Clarke is one of the senior officers in the House of Lords and participates in major ceremonial events in the Palace of Westminster.

What happens today? Before the Speaker is elected, Black Rod must summon and lead MPs to the House of Lords.

This group of MPs includes the new Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh, the Clerk of the House, frontbenchers from both sides and any others who wish to join.

On arrival, a Royal Commission from the King will be read directing MPs to choose their Speaker, a process over which Leigh will preside.

What about Parliament’s State Opening? Considered the formal start of a parliamentary session and happening on Wednesday 17 July, this will see Black Rod take on an even greater role.

You can read more about this here.