House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Sir Keir Starmer now calls on the government to continue funding free school meals during the Summer holidays.

Refusing to do so, he argues would lead to further inequality.

Boris Johnson replies that: "We don't normally continue with free school meals over the holidays."

However he says his government is "aware of the difficulties" faced by some families and says that is why £63m has been made available to local authorities for welfare assistance.

He concludes by telling MPs that the government has "put its arms round this country" but is not helped by "the wobbling and tergiversation of the gentleman opposite".

He also says he will be announcing further measures to "unlock" society later today.

House of Commons
Parliament

Sir Keir says there are plenty of other countries getting their children back to school, and the UK is an "outlier".

The Labour leader says it is "no good the prime minister flailing around trying to blame others" when it was him that announced the plan a month ago for schools to return "without consulting relevant parties, without warning about dates or scientific backing" for the policies.

He adds: "It is time he took responsibility for his failures."

Sir Keir asks why the government hasn't done more on creating more space at schools, like it did with the NHS Nightingale hospitals.

Boris Johnson criticises his opposite number, saying: "He still can't work out whether schools are not safe enough or if they should go back more quickly.

"He can't have it both ways."

The PM says the public and teachers "want some consistency" and "the message all parliamentarians in this House of Commons support the return of kids to school."

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Sir Keir Starmer now turns to school openings and says the government should have had a "robust national plan" in place as well as "consensus among all key stakeholders and strong leadership from the top".

He asks the PM if he will set up a national taskforce to deal with the issue.

Boris Johnson hit back arguing Sir Keir "needs to make up his mind" on school re-openings.

He says his government is "being extremely cautious" about opening schools, but adds parents are keen to see their kids back in school.

He suggests the Labour leader should encourage "his friends in left wing trade unions" to help get schools open.

House of Commons
Parliament

Sir Keir says the overall number of deaths in the UK from coronavirus "haunt us"

After passing 40,000 the Labour leader says it is "amongst the highest number anywhere in the world".

He says: "Last week, the prime minister said he was proud of the government's [actions], but there is no pride in those figures, is there?"

Boris Johnson says he mourns every loss and grieves for the families.

But he says the "best scientific advice is to wait until the epidemic has been through its whole cycle" before drawing comparisons with the rest of the world.

He praises the NHS for their work throughout the crisis and the public for sticking to social distancing rules.

"This government has announced a plan to get our country back onto its feet and that is what we are going to do."

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer now raises Public Health England's report which found those from BAME communities were more likely to die from the coronavrius.

Why has the government not acted on the report, asks Sir Keir.

"We are already acting," replies Boris Johnson.

He says his government is working to ensure that those in high contact professions such as bus drivers get expanded and targeted testing now.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Sir Keir Starmer takes to the dispatch box, echoing the PM's tributes to the victims and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.

And he joins in the birthday wishes for Prince Phillip and the Speaker.

The Labour leader asks his first question on issues of racial inequality.

He says there have been several reports on the issue, but "precious little action" - including on David Lammy's report into the justice system, and the Windrush report.

He calls on the PM to "turbocharge" the government's responses and implement the changes recommended.

Boris Johnson says he understands "the very strong and legitimate feelings in this country at the death of George Floyd" and that the government is "getting on with implementation" of the reports.

But he warns it is vital to "keep our streets safe and back our police".

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Prime Minister Boris Johnson begins by sending his "heartfelt sympathies" to the survivors and families and friends of those who lost their lives in the Grenfell Towers ahead of the tragedy's third anniversary.

He also sends birthday wishes to Prince Philip on his 99th birthday, and to the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

House of Commons
Parliament

Boris Johnson has taken to the dispatch box for the start of Prime Minister's Questions.

Image source, PA

...and heads to the House of Commons for Prime Minister's Questions.

Image source, EPA

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was snapped as he left home earlier this morning.

We don't know what will happen at PMQs in a few minutes time but we can say for sure it is already a memorable day for Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

The Chorley MP is celebrating his 63rd birthday today.

A few MPs have already congratulated him on the anniversary and expect a few more - possibly including Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer - to get in on the act later.

Another story dominating conversations in the corridors of power is the ongoing protests over the death of George Floyd in the US at the hands of the police.

A statue of Winston Churchill was sprayed with graffiti during recent protests in London, with claims that the former prime minister was racist.

Government ministers condemned the "vandalism and desecration" of the statue.

But Britain’s wartime leader split opinion in his own lifetime, and remains a divisive figure today.

Watch this video where historians Sonia Purnell and Richard Toye talk to the BBC about some of his most controversial moments.

Image source, Getty Images

Elsewhere, the government has been criticised for its "disappointing" progress in improving the life chances of disadvantaged people in England.

The Social Mobility Commission says ministers have only delivered on 23% of its proposals since 2013.

And it warns in a report, external that the coronavirus crisis could destroy any gains that have been made.

Read more about the report, and the government’s response, here.

Laura Kuenssberg
Political editor

"I'm so angry and disappointed. Our kids are going to suffer for years."

These are the words of one parent on hearing the news that the government had given up on its plan to get all children back to primary school in England before the end of the school term.

Some may be relieved that they don't have to make the decision themselves.

Others are perhaps resigned to the fact that they are in the strange and sometimes stressful world of homeschooling for the long haul - the online exercise hero Joe Wicks now more familiar than a relative, BBC Bitesize as much a part of the routine as jam on the four-year-old's toast.

But for families around the country, classrooms staying empty is not just about missing out on sports day or the summer fair.

Read more from Laura here.

There's been lots of discussion in Westminster this morning about the government's plans for easing the lockdown.

While there has been celebration at the opening of zoos next week, there is some frustration around the re-opening of schools in England.

Some children returned at the start of the month, and the government had planned to bring back all primary school children for a month before the summer holidays.

But yesterday, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced the plan had been scrapped, telling MPs he wanted all children back to school in September and that "exams will take place next year".

Schools in Wales will reopen from 29 June to all age groups for limited periods during the week, while Scottish schools are to reopen at the start of the autumn term on 11 August, with some continued home-learning.

Some Northern Irish pupils preparing for exams and those about to move to post-primary schools will go back in late August, with a phased return for the rest in September.

Image source, UK Parliament

Prime Minister's Questions won't be the only time we see Boris Johnson today.

The PM is expected to host the government's daily press conference later to outline the latest step in the easing of the coronavirus lockdown in England.

It has already been confirmed that non-essential shops can re-open on Monday, as well as zoos and safari parks.

But we will find out if there are any more moves later this afternoon.