As it happened: Last PMQs of 2020

1. Boris Johnson has faced MPs' questions at the final PMQs of 2020
2. The PM was challenged on the impact easing restrictions over Christmas could have on the coronavirus infection rate
3. Mr Johnson said people should act with "extreme caution" but added he didn't want to "criminalise" people's long made plans
4. The PM will hold a press conference in Downing Street later with Chief Medical Officer for England, Prof Chris Whitty
5. Mr Johnson said he has "every hope" there will be a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, but adds the UK will "prosper mightily" whatever happens
6. Earlier, the president of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen said the "next few days" will be decisive for UK-EU trade negotiations
7. Government targets for building new homes have been revised after concerns were raised by some Conservative MPs
8. Lower prices for clothing and food pushed UK inflation down to 0.3% in November, but games at toys became more expensive
9. Inflation is one of the key measures of financial wellbeing, because it affects what consumers can buy for their money

That's all from us

BBC Politics

We'll pause our coverage today from the Commons.

The prime minister will be holding a press conference in Downing Street later this afternoon - you'll find all the updates over on the BBC News coronavirus live page.

With you here today were Kate Whannel, Justin Parkinson and Richard Morris, and editing by Johanna Howitt.

Thanks for following along with us.

For now, we wish you a safe and Merry Christmas.

A muted final PMQs for 2020

Vicki Young

Deputy Political Editor

There was a muted atmosphere in the Commons for what might or might not be the final PMQs of the year.

Boris Johnson trying as ever to be upbeat, focusing on the Covid vaccine and mass testing as reasons to be cheerful.

But ministers know there are some difficult weeks ahead.

Uncertainty remains over a Brexit deal too - MPs could find that their own Christmas plans are disrupted by business in the House of Commons as well as the pandemic.

At a glance: What are the Christmas rules?

PA Media

Here's a quick reminder of what you can and can't do over Christmas

• Between 23 and 27 December, you can form a "Christmas bubble"comprised of people from three households
• You can travel between tiers and between UK nations to meet your bubble
• You can only meet in homes, places of worship or public outdoor spaces - not pubs or restaurants
• You can meet people outside your bubble according to your local rules

Find the details here in full.

Watch: Johnson and Starmer on Christmas covid rules

Reality Check

Are case rates going up in tier two and three areas?

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour leader Keir Starmer said that “In three out of four tier two areas, infections are going up. In over half of the tier three areas, infections are going up.”

When England exited its second national lockdown on December 2, 119 of the country’s 316 local authorities were placed into tier three areas.

Of these areas, rolling weekly case rates have increased in 61 of them (although the latest day the government has released these numbers for is December 10) – or just over a half.

And case rates are increasing in an even higher proportion of tier two areas – 159 out of 195 local authorities placed in tier two areas have cases growing.

So Mr Starmer is correct in both of his claims.

Case rates are increasing in a higher proportion of local authorities in the South of England than those in the North or Midlands.

Case rates show the proportion of the population who have tested positive for coronavirus in any given week. This can though be influenced by the amount of tests done in an area.

However, weekly admissions to hospital, which can be a metric of serious coronavirus cases, have also started increasing again.

Watch: Johnson and Starmer on covid infections

What are ‘Australian’ terms when it comes to trade with the EU?

Chris Morris

BBC Reality Check

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was asked about the ongoing UK/EU trade talks and said the UK will “prosper mightily on the terms we agree with our European friends, whatever they may be, whether they're Australian or Canadian."

It’s a phrase he’s used many times before.

But Australian terms is a euphemism for having no trade deal with the UK’s largest trading partner, which accounted for 43% of the country’s exports in 2019 and 51% of its imports.

Australia trades with the EU on the basic rules of the World Trade Organisation, which means tariffs or taxes on goods crossing borders.

The UK does far more trade with the EU than Australia does, so businesses would be faced with far more tariffs.

Australia also has a series of separate deals with the EU which make trade easier. The UK would have no such agreements if its negotiations with the EU end without a deal being done.

Canada terms refers to a basic free trade deal which the EU has with the country and which largely removed tariffs, but took a long time to negotiate.

Read more here.

Watch: Johnson and Blackford on Brexit talks

Reality Check

Who has the highest number of Covid deaths in Europe?

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asked the prime minister: "Why does he think that Britain, the sixth richest country in the world, with all our brilliant scientists and amazing NHS end the year with one of the highest numbers of Covid deaths in Europe?"

You can compare coronavirus figures from across the World in this piece from BBC News.

It shows the UK second in Europe behind Italy in the number of Covid deaths.

In deaths per 100,000 people, the UK comes ninth in Europe, behind countries such as Belgium, Italy and Spain.

Watch: Johnson and Starmer on pace of coronavirus response

PMQs end

HoC

And that ends the final Prime Minister's Questions of 2020.

Or was it? With rumours swirling around Westminster that the House may still be sitting next week - if there is a deal done with the EU for a post-Brexit trade deal - will there be another PMQs next Wednesday too?

Children must say in school, says PM

HoC

Labour's Seema Malhotra says a constituent whose son had to miss school because of required self-isolation hasn't received compensation and urges the PM to change the rules in England.

The PM says ministers are doing "whatever we can" to help parents during the Covid crisis.

He adds that keeping children in school is a priority and that testing and the use of vaccines can help the country move forward.

PM agrees in principle to view sculpture

HoC

Conservative Mark Eastwood says Kirklees College, West Yorkshire, has opened a new campus despite the pandemic.

He asks the PM to visit the "iconic" building and its "amazing" sculpture, on loan from artist Anthony Gormley.

Boris Johnson says he admires Gormley's work "greatly" and will try to make it.

PM urged to ban fire and rehire practices

HoC

Labour's Sharon Hodgson says engineers in her consistency working for Centrica British Gas have been told they have to sign new contracts before Christmas otherwise they will be fired and re-hired on worse terms.

She urges the PM to condemn this practice and to ban firing and re-hiring practices.

Boris Johnson says business must treat employees with "fairness and respect".

However he also adds that "it is vital that we have a flexible economy able to generate jobs particularly when we are going to be going through a difficult and bumpy time."

People taking vaccines are doing a 'civic duty'

HoC

Conservative Huw Merriman says people offered the vaccine would be doing a "civic duty" to accept it, allowing the UK to return to a normal way of life.

Mr Johnson says those who are offered the vaccine will be protecting themselves, and everyone else.

SNP has failed on drugs - Johnson

HoC

Following a question from the SNP's Ronnie Cowan about record deaths from drug misuse in Scotland the PM says the SNP government is responsible for "failures" on drug law enforcement in Scotland.

Mr Cowan asks the PM if he supports the introduction of drug consumption rooms in Glasgow.

Mr Johnson says he does not, and says adequate measures are in place, but need to be acted upon.

Pubs have been 'devastated' - Labour MP

HoC

Labour's Liz Twist says local pubs have been "devastated" and are "at the heart of our communities".

She warns that compensation schemes are not giving enough to get pubs to survive.

Mr Johnson says "we are committed to doing everything we can" including additional payments for pubs.

He says areas should "work together to reduce the virus through community testing in the way that Liverpool has succeeded in doing," he says this will allow pubs to reopen.

We'll spend money wisely, Johnson promises

HoC

Asked by Conservative Anthony Browne about schools in Cambridgeshire getting the "resources they need", the PM says it is the government's job to spend money "responsibly".

He adds that funding per pupil is going up next year.

Tory PM calls for more money for charity-funded medical research

HoC

Conservative James Davies welcomes the £14bn allocated for research and development at the last spending review.

However he raises concern that charity-funded medical research - which he says has been hit hard by the pandemic - will be "left behind".

He asks the PM to intervene to ensure some of the £14bn goes towards a life-sciences and charity partnership fund.

Boris Johnson says his government is investing "record amounts" in the sector.

NI 'will benefit from trade deals'

HoC

The PM tells the SDLP's Colum Eastwood that the whole of the UK will take part in any trade deals done in future.

He adds that Northern Ireland will continue to have "full access" to the rest of the UK internal market.