At PMQs, Boris Johnson said "all guidance was followed completely" after he was asked about whether No 10 held parties last year that breached lockdown rules
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the rules were "very clear" in prohibiting work Christmas lunches and parties
Mr Johnson added that it was important to follow guidance and wear masks on public transport and in shops to deal with the Omicron variant
Minister Gillian Keegan then outlined "ambitious" reforms to the social care system
But Labour's Liz Kendall said the plan "utterly fails to deal with the immediate pressures facing social care"
It comes after Tory MPs rebelled against the government in a vote approving a social care cap for England
Meanwhile, the government pledged to offer all adults in England a booster by 31 January amid concerns about the new variant
But some Tory MPs expressed anger at further Covid measures, including mandatory masks on public transport
Labour wanted the government to go further, saying people flying into the UK should have a PCR test before arriving
Leaked minutes from a meeting of the government's scientific advisers said pre-departure testing for travellers returning to the UK would be "valuable"
Conservative John Penrose says childcare needs to be reformed to allow better provision.
He argues that the current system is expensive, prevents people working and is "internationally uncompetitive".
The PM agrees to meet his colleague to discuss the situation and his plans for reform.
Image source, UK ParliamentThe SNP's leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford, also presses the PM on whether there was a "packed party in Downing Street" last Christmas, in breach of lockdown rules
He asks the PM how people can be expected to trust him if "he thinks it's one rule for him and another for everyone else"?
Boris Johnson repeats his statement that no rules were broken and tells Blackford he should have asked about the damage of Storm Arwen.
The MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber describes his answer as "disgraceful" and points out he did mention the disruption in his opening statement.
Blackford follows up with a question about why the government is not tightening travel rules for people arriving to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant.
The PM says the government were one of the first around the world to institute travel restrictions on southern African nations and defends the current rules, which require people arriving in the UK to self-isolate for two days until they test negative for Covid.
Image source, UK ParliamentConservative Andrew Rosindell tells the PM he cannot stop "the endless waves of illegal migrants until we break free of European Convention on Human Rights which impedes our ability to tackle this tragic situation".
He asks Johnson to "take back control" by bringing in "a British bill of rights".
The prime minister says the government wants to review the human rights system.
He also urges MPs to support the government's borders bill, which he says will give Border Force the power to "turn people back at sea".
He says it would be "a great thing" if the party supported the legislation.
Vicki Young
Deputy Political Editor
Sir Keir Starmer accusing the Tories of breaking promises and breaking rules as he tries to attack Boris Johnson’s character and the way he governs.
I’ve spoken to several Conservative MPs who are worried that this is a criticism striking a chord with some voters.
The PM prefers to concentrate on the specific policies his government has introduced.
Image source, UK ParliamentIn his final question, Starmer says the PM is "defending the indefensible" on a weekly basis in the Commons, accusing him of frequently breaking pledges.
Any promises from Johnson "aren't worth the manifesto paper they're written on", he argues.
The PM says his opposite number "drivels on incessantly", adding that Labour is riven by "factional infighting", while the government is "getting on with delivering" its promises to the country.
He calls Starmer "Captain Hindsight" - a barb he often uses at Prime Minister's Questions.
Sticking with the 40 new hospitals promise, Starmer says he has seen communication advice sent from the Department of Health to the NHS about the pledge.
The Labour leader says the document says "refurbishments and alterations to existing hospitals" should be referred to as "new hospitals".
"Refurbishments are good thing but they are not new hospitals," he adds.
Boris Johnson replies that the government isn't "going around building on greenfield sites".
He adds the government has undertaken "the biggest hospital building programme this country has ever undertaken".
The government is suffering confusion over whether the PM is set to "break a new promise" on the building of hospitals, says Starmer.
He demands the publication of the progress report on the plans.
Johnson says the government is making "record investments" in the NHS in England, accusing Labour of "running down" these efforts.
Image source, UK ParliamentStarmer notes the PM has not denied there was a Christmas party last year.
"He is taking the British public for fools," he says.
The Labour leader now turns to the government's manifesto promise that it would build 40 new hospitals.
He asks if it is true that the project has been given "a red flag" by the Treasury because it is "unachievable".
"No," replies Boris Johnson, accusing Starmer of asking "frivolous questions".
He says his government is putting record investment into the NHS.
Vicki Young
Deputy Political Editor
Labour believe the suggestion of one rule for Boris Johnson and his Conservative friends, and another for everyone else, is gaining traction with the public.
It’s been a theme in many of their attacks on the Government during the pandemic.
Image source, UK ParliamentSir Keir Starmer pushes the PM on reports of a Downing Street Christmas party last year.
He says Johnson's defence seems to be "no rules were broken", but the rules at the time were "very clear" in prohibiting work Christmas lunches and parties.
Boris Johnson moves on to plans for this Christmas, saying it's important to follow guidance and wear masks on public transport and in shops to deal with the Omicron variant.
And he urges the public to "get your booster".
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle reveals he has had his jab.
Image source, UK ParliamentLabour leader Sir Keir Starmer begins his questions by asking if a Christmas party was held in Downing Street last year, while the country faced Covid restrictions.
Boris Johnson replies that "all guidance was followed completely".
He adds that the Labour leader has failed to invite his own deputy leader, Angela Rayner, to his Christmas party this year.
The Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has got to his feet to announce the start of this week's Prime Minister's Questions.
Stay with us for all the updates from the Commons.
Vicki Young
Deputy Political Editor
There will be plenty for the Labour leader to needle the PM over when it comes to Covid policy, with some government advisers urging more caution on socialising and international travel.
Boris Johnson will be under pressure from some on his own side though to resist further measures.
Sir Keir Starmer will also be sitting with his new reshuffled top team.
After recent tensions, will there by a public display of unity with his deputy Angela Rayner?
Lots to watch out for.
Image source, PA MediaA masked Boris Johnson has left Downing Street to head to the House of Commons for PMQs.
We'll have all the main questions to and answers from the PM, so stand by.
Image source, ReutersAnother topic dominating Westminster has been the number of people crossing the English Channel to seek asylum or to start a new life.
MPs have warned, external that UK plans to turn back people attempting to make the crossing are dangerous and probably unlawful.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said last week the tactic would help deter smuggling gangs, following the deaths of 27 people in a small boat.
However, the Joint Committee on Human Rights is urging Ms Patel to scrap the policy.
The Home Office said it could not comment on border security tactics to avoid giving an advantage to organised crime groups.
But a spokesperson said "safe and legal" options to stop boats making the "dangerous and unnecessary journey", and to prevent further loss of life at sea, were being tested.
Image source, Northern PowergridOutside of Westminster, thousands of people in northern England and Scotland have been left without power for days, after Storm Arwen devastated power grids over the weekend.
Power companies have been criticised for failing to restore connections to homes over five days of freezing weather conditions.
Yesterday in the Commons, MPs were calling for more action from the government.
We're expecting a statement about the situation after PMQs, so stick with us for the latest.
Image source, ReutersDowning Street has denied a report in the Mirror, external that the prime minister attended a "packed leaving do" in November 2020, when the country was in the midst of a coronavirus lockdown.
The paper also says a Christmas party was held in Downing Street, while London was under strict pandemic restrictions.
But a No 10 spokesman has insisted "there were no parties".
Health Secretary Sajid Javid also told the BBC: "Whatever happened in No 10 throughout the pandemic, I am absolutely certain all the rules around the pandemic would have been followed."
Perhaps it might be brought up in today's question time...
Image source, PA MediaCovid jabs and the Omicron variant aren't the only things in the news in Westminster today, with questions over MPs' outside work still swirling around.
It's been announced that House of Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg is under investigation, external by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone.
It relates to the part of the MPs' code of conduct dealing with the registration of financial interests, and is specifically around "employment and earnings", but we don't have any more detail.
It comes after it was revealed Ms Stone was not carrying out an investigation into former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, who appeared to be carrying out paid legal work while in his Commons office, which is banned.
Another former cabinet minister, Owen Paterson, quit as an MP after he was found to have broken Commons rules by using his position to lobby for two companies paying him, which ignited the row in Parliament.
You might remember that back in October, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced changes to universal credit payments to ensure recipients would be able to keep more of their money.
It followed criticism from opponents that the government was not making a £20 increase to the benefit, introducing during the pandemic, permanent.
In response, the chancellor used his Budget to announce a reduction to the taper rate so that instead of losing 63p of benefit for every £1 earned above the work allowance, the amount will be reduced to 55p.
That change comes into force today - the Department for Work and Pensions said the changes were introduced "as quickly as possible... to secure the higher payments for the lowest earners in time for Christmas".
However, Labour has said the measure would not make up for axing the £20-a-week top-up to the benefit.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote to the PM about travel rules
There are also different views across the nations when it comes to travel.
Last week, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford wrote to the UK prime minister asking for tougher rules in response to the discovery of the Omicron variant.
In their joint letter, the SNP and Welsh Labour leaders called on Boris Johnson to introduce a requirement for people to isolate until they have tested negative on day two and eight after their arrival - a request rebuffed by Downing Street.
As we said earlier, current rules introduced after the discovery of the new strain only require people entering the UK to self-isolate until they have tested negative on day two.
If you'd like to read more about what the current Covid rules are across the UK, click here.