Summary

  • PM Rishi Sunak has been facing questions from the leader of the opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, and other MPs in the Commons

  • The pair argued about ambulance wait times - with Starmer focusing on delays, and Sunak saying Covid and flu were making for a difficult winter

  • It comes as nurses stage a further two days of strikes over pay and conditions within the NHS

  • The SNP asked about the UK government's move to block Scottish reforms to make it easier for trans people to change their legal sex

  • Stephen Flynn said the government was stoking a "culture war", with Scottish democracy as "collateral damage"

  • Both leaders condemned Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick, who admitted dozens of rape and sexual offences

Live Reporting

Edited by Emma Owen and Jasmine Taylor-Coleman

  1. Sunak responds by saying Stephanie's case is a tragedy and says people are working as hard as they can to provide care.

    He says Starmer talks about political games he's "a living example of playing political games when it comes to people's healthcare".

    He asks Starmer if he's so concerned that the Stephanie's of the future get the care they need why is he denying families the guarantee of emergency life saving care?

    Sir Keir Starmer questions Rishi Sunak on ambulance delays

  2. Starmer cites one case from a Plymouth where a woman called Stephanie was battling cancer and collapsed at home.

    She wasn't prioritised and died while waiting for an ambulance, he says.

    The Labour leader asks when will Sunak stop the excuses and sort out the delays?

  3. Sunak outlines some practical steps he says the government is taking to cut ambulance waiting times in the short term - including investment in urgent care, and attempt to speed up the discharging of patients out of hospital.

    He accuses the Labour leader of "not putting patients first" and being "in the pockets of his union paymasters".

  4. Starmer says Sunak won't answer questions or take responsibility.

    An hour later, he says, a heart attack patient should be getting treatment - but their ambulance could still be hours away.

  5. Rishi SunakHoC

    Sunak says the NHS across the UK is dealing with unprecedented challenges recovering from Covid and the flu season.

    He asks Starmer again why won't he support the minimum safety legislation?

  6. Starmer reflects on the delay times in several cities - and asks if "for one week" Sunak will admit the NHS is in crisis

  7. In response, Sunak says extra government funding will improve ambulance waiting times in the wake of the pandemic and "pressures of this winter".

    He again tries to turn the focus back on Labour's opposition to government plans to introduce minimum service levels during strikes in the public sector.

  8. Starmer says for a person suffering chest pains, every minute counts.

    He says an ambulance should get there within 18 minutes. So, he asks again, when will it arrive?

  9. Sunak replies by saying the government is implementing measures to improve ambulance times, and asks why Labour won't support minimum safety legislation?

    He says people can rely on emergency services when they need them.

  10. Starmer begins by asking how long an ambulance should take

    Keir StarmerHoC

    Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is up.

    He starts asking the PM that if somebody phones 999 now because they have chest pains and fear they're having a hear attack, when would the prime minister expect an ambulance to arrive?

  11. PMQs beginning in Commons

    Rishi SunakHoC

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is on his feet in the chamber, as today's Prime Minister's Questions gets under way.

    He begins by saying he's shocked and appalled by the case of David Carrick - the Metropolitan police officer who admitted multiple sexual offences.

    He says the police must now restore the public's confidence and promised police reforms so offenders would have "no place to hide".

  12. Sunak in position in the Commons

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is in the chamber for today's Prime Minister's Questions which is due to get under way in the next few minutes.

    Sunak will face questions from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, before the floor is opened up to other MPs.

    We'll bring you live updates and you can also watch the action by clicking the 'play' button at the top of this page.

  13. Gender recognition battle likely focus for SNP

    GRA campaignersGetty Images

    The row over Scotland's gender recognition reforms is likely to feature strongly when the SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn asks his two questions. Other SNP MPs could also pile in on the same issue.

    Yesterday the UK government confirmed it planned to block the SNP-led Scottish government’s Gender Recognition Bill by triggering section 35 of the Scotland Act.

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused the Westminster government of attempting to stoke a "culture war".

  14. Police reform urged in light of Carrick case

    The way that police officers are vetted for service and how corruption is rooted out within the force is once again in the spotlight again after a Metropolitan Police officer admitted to dozens of rape and sexual offences.

    On Tuesday the Home Secretary warned that more shocking cases involving officers may be uncovered and urged forces to “double down” on their efforts to stamp out abusive behaviour.

    The issue of police corruption and reform has been highlighted in recent years following a number of high-profile scandals and the head of the Metropolitan Police recently created a new anti-corruption unit in an effort at reform.

  15. Thousands of nurses on strike again

    NHS workers protest on a picket outside of University College Hospital in LondonEPA

    Today's PMQs comes against the backdrop of widespread disruption to health services as nurses stage more strikes in England.

    Currently, about one out of every four hospitals and community services are affected by the walkouts by Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members as part of an ongoing row over improved patient safety and fair pay.

    RCN officials accuse the government of failing to act upon a 19% pay rise request, but Rishi Sunak argues it is “obviously unaffordable”.

    The PM previously said he has "enormous respect and gratitude" for nurses but things were difficult for everyone because of inflation.

  16. Sunak on his way to PMQs

    Rishi SunakPA

    PM Rishi Sunak has left Downing Street headed to the House of Commons.

    He’ll take questions from MPs at the usual time of 12:00 GMT.

    We'll be bringing you the latest updates, but you can also watch the debate live by clicking the play button at the top of this page from midday.

  17. Expect questions on strikes and gender reforms

    Helen Catt
    Political correspondent

    Today's Prime Minister Questions is taking place as nurses in England are, again, out on picket lines and after weeks of stories of long waits and intense pressure on the NHS.

    You'd expect, then, that may well be what Keir Starmer will focus on with his questions.

    It will also be an opportunity for the SNP's Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn to challenge Rishi Sunak directly about the UK government's decision to block the Scottish Parliament's gender recognition reforms, which dominated the day in Parliament yesterday.

  18. Welcome to our live coverage

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.

    PM Rishi Sunak is set to face the leader of the opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, in the House of Commons at noon.

    He’s likely to be pressed on the cost of living, strike disputes with unions and the UK government’s gender reform row with the Scottish government.

    We’ll be bringing you the latest as it happens.