The interview next moves to the nation's finances.

Hunt says the government is "utterly focused on growing our economy," and points to revised figures that show the UK economy made a stronger recovery during Covid at the end of 2021 than previously estimated.

Do you think the average family is feeling more optimistic, Laura shoots back. When will people start to feel better off, she asks.

"When we get inflation down and when interest rates start to fall," Hunt replies.

When asked about Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove's comments calling for a wealth tax, external, Hunt said the way to help future generations was to grow the economy by creating "the most exciting and best-paid jobs for the future" in the UK.

Hunt is next asked if he knew about RAAC being used in hospitals when he was health secretary.

He says he was "not aware" of being told this, but he says he was told when chancellor.

Could there be patients in hospitals that aren't safe, Kuenssberg asks.

"Well, if we receive any information that suggests that then we will take the action that's necessary in terms of making sure that hospitals, like my constituents, are safe," Hunt responds.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is pushed again on the matter of schools forced to close buildings due to RAAC.

He refuses to be drawn on the possible cost of fixing the problems in affected schools.

"We must spend this money," he says.

Hunt says the majority of schools where RAAC has been identified are able to operate.

He reiterates again that the government won't take risks with children, saying their safety is his priority.

Hunt adds that the government will continue to act "very, very fast".

We're now hearing from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who is asked first about schools.

He says he has enormous sympathy for parents but says there was an "exhaustive process" of going through all 22,000 schools since 2018 to check whether RAAC was being used in buildings.

Hunt explains that new information emerged over the summer that some buildings previously thought safe may be at risk, which led the education secretary to take action.

"We acted fast when the problem first arose," Hunt says.

He says to parents: "We will spend what it takes to make sure that children can go to school safely."

We won't take risks with children's safety, he adds.

Rachel De Souza, England's children's commissioner, is the first of today's panellists to be quizzed by Laura Kuenssberg.

She is asked about the 104 schools in England that have been told to close buildings due to the risk of dangerous concrete collapses.

"I was as shocked as everybody else," she says, adding that her "heart goes out to parents and children affected".

De Souza says it's important for children to remain in schools.

She added she was "disappointed and frustrated" at the apparent lack of plan from the government.

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Labour has said it intends to try to make the government publish the full list of schools in England where buildings have been shut over fears of concrete collapses.

The party says it plans to put forward a so-called humble address - a parliamentary mechanism which can be used to demand papers from government departments - when the Commons returns from its summer recess on Monday.

The government has said it will release a full list "in due course" but has not provided a timetable. BBC News has been compiling its own list.

Laura Kuenssberg
Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Almost a year ago, Rishi Sunak moved into No 10, tasked with steadying the ship after the rapid demise of the Truss-Kwarteng government.

But with big set-piece political events on the horizon, including the Conservative Party conference, the King’s Speech and the Autumn Statement, the focus will soon be on whether the prime minister manages to keep his party afloat as it draws nearer to the general election.

As a new parliamentary session begins, Laura Kuenssberg reflects on the crucial months ahead for Sunak.

You can read her thoughts in full here.

In the last few days we've all been hearing about RAAC - a lightweight form of concrete that is present in a number of schools and public buildings like hospitals and courts.

But what is it and why is it a potential risk safety face?

The lightweight material was used in roofs, floors and walls between the 1950s and 1990s, but has a shorter lifespan than standard concrete.

RAAC is less durable than standard concrete and has a lifespan of around 30 years. It is also susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture.

You can read more about it in our explainer here.

Image source, .

What the Sunday Times calls the "crumbling concrete crisis" features on the front of several of the Sunday papers.

That newspaper says scores of public buildings affected are also likely to be "riddled" with asbestos.

A senior civil service whistleblower tells the Observer ministers have been "dangerously complacent" about crumbling school buildings.

Writing in the Sun, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan defends the school closures, external saying she's acted to "protect children".

The Sunday Express reports on an upbeat message from the chancellor, external, saying he believes Rishi Sunak is on course to fulfil his promise to halve inflation by Christmas. "Our plan is working. The government is unlocking the UK's potential" declares Jeremy Hunt. But Labour has accused the chancellor of being" out of touch", and leaving working people "worse off".

• Read the full papers review here

Image source, PA

As we mentioned earlier, one of the topics Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is likely to be questioned about is the closure of school buildings in England over safety fears linked to the presence of a light-weight concrete known as RAAC.

So far, some 104 schools in England have been told to close buildings, with some pupils having to be taught remotely, in temporary structures or even in different schools.

The government has been criticised for the timing of the announcement, just days before the new school year starts, and for refusing to publish a list of affected schools.

There are also questions about how big the problem may ultimately become, as RAAC is also present in other public buildings, including hospitals and courts.

As ever, there‘ll also be a panel of guests in the studio to help Laura Kuenssberg pick apart this week’s interviews and look more broadly at the issues raised.

Sharing their thoughts this week will be:

• TV presenter Piers Morgan
• Chef and writer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
• And England’s children’s commissioner Rachel de Souza

Image source, PA Media

Alex Therrien
Live reporter

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today’s interviews, reaction and analysis on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg - the first show since the summer parliamentary break.

This morning’s big political interview is with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt who is likely to be quizzed not only on the UK economy but also on the closure of school buildings in England due to the risk of dangerous concrete collapses.

Laura Kuenssberg will also speak to Labour’s shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson. Stay with us for updates and analysis from the show.