David Cameron has taken his seat on the government front bench, and is having a last-minute read through his notes.

Labour's Tristram Hunt says the established parties have to work harder for votes in the context of the rise of UKIP and others. Ed Miliband "has kept us together" since the 2010 election, he tells Daily Politics.

Just a few minutes to go until the main event. UKIP's Douglas Carswell is in his seat, just along from the perch occupied by Labour's Dennis Skinner.

Conservative minister Esther McVey says her party has to "sell" itself in the Rochester and Strood by-election, prompted by the defection of Mark Reckless to UKIP. She says David Cameron will survive as leader whatever the result.

For Labour, shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt says he wants wealth-creators and entrepreneurs to come to the UK. His party's spending proposals are all costed, he adds.

On BBC Two's Daily Politics, employment minister Esther McVey is happy about the latest news on unemployment falling below two million. This follows the biggest recession in living memory, she says.

Before PMQs gets under way, it's Scottish Questions. Minister David Mundell, a Conservative, compares SNP leader and first minister-to-be Nicola Sturgeon with Margaret Thatcher, thanks to her pioneering ways as a female politician. The SNP's Westminster leader, Angus Robertson doesn't like that.

tweets, external: "Tied up so can't make PMQs today - EdM needs a good performance. Am sure he will deliver."

tweets, external: "Unemployment has fallen again. By 154,000. Will EdM say "Rejoice, rejoice" at #PMQs today???"

tweets, external: "Another Wednesday and another PMQs gift for David Cameron. Unemployment falls to 6%."

tweets, external: "Tory MPs looking forward to PMQs; expecting @David_Cameron to have some fun at @Ed_Miliband expense; watch for @DouglasCarswell too."

Conservative employment minister Esther McVey and shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt are giving their opinions on BBC Two's Daily Politics.

An interesting intervention in the debate inspired by comedian Russell Brand's call for people not to vote (a forthcoming speech on the subject is set to be broadcast at 200 cinemas). Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon tells the Guardian's Polly Toynbee, external the comedian's ideas are the "most idiotic thing I've ever heard".

In other news, Nicola Sturgeon is to become SNP leader and Scottish First Minister, as she was nominated unopposed as successor for Alex Salmond.

Image source, PA

So, what is Labour leader Ed Miliband likely to bring up today? Falling unemployment will probably not be top of his agenda. Maybe the issue of whether there should be some England-only votes in the Commons, which his party opposes? Or will he play a more statesmanlike card by focusing on issues of national security and the campaign against Islamic State? The NHS, maybe? Cost of living?

Labour's Joan Walley and Kerry McCarthy are top of the list to ask questions.

An interesting name among those near the top of the list to ask questions of the PM is David Davis, the man he beat to the Conservative leadership in 2005. What will be on his mind?

UKIP's first elected MP, Douglas Carswell, who defected from the Conservatives over the summer and beat his old party in last week's Clacton by-election, took his Commons seat earlier this week. He'll probably be in today, although he's not listed as one of the MPs at the top of the ballot to ask questions.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Prime Minister's Questions. It's been a busy few weeks since we were last here. Three party conferences and a referendum have taken place, so there's much to discuss. Also, today, it's been announced that unemployment has fallen below the two million level. Meanwhile concerns about Ebola continue, while the UK is involved against air strikes on Islamic State forces in Iraq. All that and much, much more is likely to be debated between David Cameron, his friends and enemies, after he gets up at about 12:00 BST.