Summary

  • PM commits to future independent inquiry into government's coronavirus response

  • Keir Starmer says track and trace system "is not working as promised"

  • Scotland has begun its most significant easing of lockdown measures

  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock says face coverings will not be mandatory in offices in England

  • China's UK ambassador says decision to ban Huawei from 5G network is 'disappointing and wrong'

  • Study suggests coronavirus infection rate in England was 'lower than thought' before lockdown was lifted

Live Reporting

Richard Morris, Paul Seddon and Gavin Stamp

  1. Boris Johnson: We are getting on with autumn preparations

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Sir Keir StarmerHoC

    UK opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer says the PM should "call out" the rehiring of BA staff on "worse terms and conditions".

    He turns to a report from scientists this week which warned a spike of coronavirus cases this winter could prompt about 120,000 new UK deaths in a “reasonable” worst-case scenario.

    He asks whether the government will implement its preparation recommendations "in full and at speed".

    In reply, the prime minister says the government is "getting on" with preparations for later this year.

    He also says there has been "record investment" in the National Health Service.

  2. Keir Starmer asks about British Airways rehiring of staff

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    PMQsHoC

    Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says questions over whether Labour supports the government's coronavirus response programme is "rhetorical nonsense". He says that last week 10,000 people lost their jobs.

    He says British Airways are trying to rehire staff on worse terms and conditions, which is a "warning shot to millions of other people". He asks if the prime minister will intervene to stop the changes to BA staff conditions.

    Boris Johnson says that the government is working to keep people in employment where they "possibly can". He warns that many companies are in "severe difficulties at the moment", and adds that there is no "magic wand" to ensure that every job pre-pandemic will be available after the crisis.

  3. Starmer asks about support for struggling sectors

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Sir Keir StarmerHoC

    UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is taking MPs' questions in the House of Commons.

    For his first question, Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer says a failure to provide "sector-specific" support could cost thousands of jobs.

    He says such targeted action could have helped prevent recent job losses announced in the aviation sector recently.

    Boris Johnson says the government has done a "huge amount" to support the sector.

    He accuses the Labour leader of being equivocal on whether he supports government action to protect jobs laid out in the chancellor's summ er statement earlier this month.

  4. PMQs starts

    Speaker HoyleHoC

    Speaker Lindsay Hoyle asks the PM to start question time in the usual way by listing his engagements.

  5. PM heads for the Commons

    Boris Johnson leaving No 10AFP

    Boris Johnson left No 10 Downing Street a few minutes ago, heading across the road to parliament for question time.

  6. What could come up this afternoon?

    Shopper wearing face maskPA Media

    Shoppers in Glasgow with face coverings

    This week’s PMQs session comes amid much discussion about the wearing of face coverings, with their use set to become compulsory in shops in England from 24 July.

    This morning Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there are no plans to make them compulsory in offices – but Labour has accused ministers of mixed messaging on the issue.

    Elsewhere, there are plenty of other topics MPs could bring up, including the chancellor’s economic support package and warnings of a possible spike in Covid-19 cases later this year.

    Relations with China could also be discussed after the government’s decision yesterday to ban telecoms giant Huawei from the UK's 5G network.

  7. Good morning

    Victoria TowerGetty Images

    Victoria Tower on a somewhat sunnier day than it is in Westminster today

    Welcome to our live rolling coverage of this week's prime minister's questions.

    It's the penultimate question time for Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer, ahead of the parliamentary summer break next week.

    We'll bring you all the developments as they happen in the Commons chamber.