Dominic Raab and Angela Rayner have been facing one another in the House of Commons
The deputy PM and Labour deputy leader stood in at PMQs while Boris Johnson attends the Nato summit in Madrid
Feisty exchanges covered issues ranging from tax rises to rail strikes, defence spending and last week's by-election results
Rayner said the PM was "losing the country" and attacked his goal of staying in office until the 2030s
The deputy PM hit back saying Labour's "plan is no plan" and "champagne socialism is back"
Raab said it was "not the right time" for a second Scottish independence referendum, after the SNP said it wanted one next October
Iain Watson
Political correspondent
Unsurprisingly Angela Rayner is not magnanimous in victory in the Wakefield by-election but she could hardly have ignored her party's first gain in 10 years.
Dominic Raab tries to pivot to rail strikes to highlight Labour divisions
Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Rayner pays tribute Deborah James and talks about the family of Zara Aleena who was killed in Ilford this week. And she references the winners of the two by-elections the Lib Dems and Labour won last Friday.
"The prime minister isn't just losing the room, Mr Speaker, he's losing the country," she states.
She asks if Mr Raab thinks the cabinet will "prop up" Boris Johnson into the 2030s.
Raab says he wants to PM to go on longer than she wants the leader of the Labour party to continue - accusing her of plotting a Labour leadership bid.
He says the Conservative government is focusing on delivering for British people.
Image source, PA MediaZara Aleena was training to become a fully qualified solicitor
Raab's opens PMQs by saying the thoughts of the whole house are with the family and friends of Dame Deborah James, who has died of bowel cancer.
She was a "huge inspiration " and raised millions of pounds, he says.
Image source, Getty ImagesDeputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab is on his feet now to answer his first questions of the day.
Stay with us for updates throughout.
Image source, Getty ImagesDominic Raab is likely to come under fire from Angela Rayner on key issues including pay rises for public sector workers - following last week's train strikes - and what the government is doing to tackle the ongoing cost of living crisis.
She is also likely to raise what Labour is calling Backlog Britain - with continued delays at the passport office, ahead of the peak holiday season, as well as hold ups to driving licences and doctor and dentist appointments.
And there is sure to be mention of the announcement by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of her plans for a second Scottish Independence referendum on 19 October 2023.
It's going to be a busy half hour. Stick with us for regular updates from 12:00 BST.
Image source, Getty ImagesToday’s PMQs will look a little different.
Deputy prime minister Dominic Raab will stand in for Boris Johnson, as the PM is in Madrid for the Nato summit.
Raab will be sparring with his opposite number on the Labour benches, Angela Rayner, who will replace the Labour leader Keir Starmer at the Commons' despatch box.
Image source, Jessica Taylor/PA MediaAnd welcome to today’s Prime Minister's Questions live page.
We will be bringing you the latest news from the House of Commons and the weekly parliamentary face-off when the session starts at midday.