Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer clash on mortgages and the cost of living at Prime Minister's Questions
Starmer says people are paying more for their mortgages because the Conservatives "crashed the economy"
But Sunak says there's support for mortgage holders, and that recent tax cuts will save people "hundreds of pounds"
Starmer also calls on Sunak to call a general election, "so the whole country can move on"
But the prime minister says the Conservatives' plan is working, and that a Labour government would be "back to square one"
This week's session comes as the UK government prepares to publish a deal that could restore power sharing in Northern Ireland
Sunak says the deal promises a "brighter future" for Northern Ireland, with details being announced this afternoon
Keir Starmer also welcomes the deal, announced in the early hours of Tuesday, calling it an "important moment"
Sunak says Starmer resorts "as always to politics of envy" and that everyone can now see that the opposition supports - after criticising it - the Tory's policy on lifting the bankers' bonus cap.
"It's becoming clear, you cannot trust a word that he says," Sunak says.
Starmer says that Sunak is "so out of touch it's unbelievable", adding that most people do not have lots of money "knocking around".
He adds that this week, Sunak has announced an increase in council tax.
Starmer says that when people see their mortgages increasing, as well as their council tax, "who should they believe?"
"His boasts, or their bank accounts?"
Sunak says Starmer should have explained to Phil, the Iceland worker, that Conservative management of the economy has meant inflation is “less than half of what it was a year ago”.
The government’s National Insurance cuts are putting “money back in the pockets” of workers like Phil to the tune of “hundred of pounds”, Sunak says.
He finishes by asking if Starmer told Phil how much he might lose in “higher taxes” under Labour
"He just doesn't get it," retorts Starmer.
He says the Tory party has "forfeited the right to be lecturing others about the economy", and cites mortgages again, saying someone coming off a fixed rate mortgage will be paying £240 more a month.
Starmer says he met Phil this week, an employee at Iceland in Warrington who says his mortgage is going up by £1000 a month.
The Speaker again calls for order amid rowdy backbenchers while Starmer continues.
"If the member for mid-Norfolk on £120,000 can't afford this Tory government, how on earth can people like Phil?", he finishes.
Sunak doubles down on mortgage repayments, saying someone with a typical mortgage of £140,000, who is currently repaying £800 a month, will be able to keep the same level of payments thanks to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's "facilitations".
He then again attacks the Labour Party for their spending plans, especially on their decarbonisation policies.
Starmer continues on the theme of the cost of living crisis, saying Conservatives have "crashed the economy", mortgages are through the roof, and they've doubled the debt.
He says Sunak "didn't answer the question".
He asks: "Does the prime minister have any idea how much mortgages are going up by for those coming off fixed mortgages?"
Sunak says the biggest impact on the cost of living will be Labour’s plans to invest £28bn a year in green technologies by the end of the next parliament.
Backing Labour will move the UK “back to square one with higher taxes”, he says.
Starmer returns, saying for "every £2" the prime minister says he's giving back to people, he is "taking £10 out of their back pocket".
The Labour leader says 200,000 people are coming off fixed rate mortgages and paying more every month.
"Does the prime minister actually know how much their monthly repayments are going up by?", he asks.
Sunak says that millions of people will start to pay less in tax thanks to Tory decisions and that the number of people taking out mortgages has risen again.
He also takes a swipe at both Starmer and the shadow chancellor who he says changed her tune on tax cuts in Davos, before calling it a "scorched earth policy" back in Westminster.
Labour leader Keir Starmer begins by welcoming the agreement that could bring the return of the Northern Ireland executive.
He calls it an "important moment", and says "all sides need to work together".
Starmer also says he met with the victims of the killings in Nottingham, and addressed the fatal stabbings in Bristol.
He begins his questions to the prime minister by mentioning the cost of living crisis, referencing the Conservative MP and former minister George Freeman who said he couldn't afford his mortgage.
Starmer asks whether after 14 years of a Conservative government, "if this is what they mean by saying we're all in this together?"
And we’re off! The prime minister has the floor and is now addressing the Commons.
Rishi Sunak uses his opening statement to say he has met with families of the Nottingham triple stabbing victims and will “do whatever it takes to get the answers”.
He also starts by welcoming the DUP's decision to re-enter power-sharing in Northern Ireland and says the secretary of state will be making a statement shortly.
Before anyone can start, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, tells off both sides for recent "unhelpful exchanges".
"I know there is a general election approaching - but I would urge honourable members on both sides of the house greater self restraint in choice of words."
As our chief political correspondent wrote earlier, exchanges between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have been especially personal in recent weeks.
We’re now only a few minutes away from the start of this week’s PMQs, during which the prime minister could face questions about Northern Ireland, immigration and tax cuts.
You can watch live at the top of this page.
Press the large Play button at the top of the page from 12:00 GMT.
Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent
The big issue in Westminster today - Northern Ireland - is one where both main parties agree.
But we are now likely to see a brief interruption to that harmony.
The exchanges between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have been especially personal in recent weeks. Perhaps that’s no surprise at the start of an election year. Expect more jibes today.
As this chart shows, Labour is currently polling at an average of around 45%, once those who say they don’t know or won’t vote are excluded - while the Conservatives are on an average of about 25%.
Polls do vary from each other and are subject to error. The BBC’s poll tracker summarises polls with an average line that makes it easier to understand the trend.
See how each party's position has changed since 2020 with our new interactive poll tracker.
Once again there is no shortage of subjects to grill the prime minister on today.
Details of the fragile power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland are expected to be released just after the Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) clash.
PMQs could be the first chance for challenges from Brexiteers and rebel DUP MPs who don't like the deal. In theory, Labour support the plans, but Starmer may look to exploit any hints of a split.
It is also the fourth anniversary of Brexit and the day that checks on EU imports are being introduced.
Starmer may choose to go down the Brexit route. Or maybe he'll just keep bringing up Tory in-fighting. Over the past few months Starmer has used his time to highlight splits in the Conservatives, and there has been plenty to talk about.
Labour's economic plans may also come under scrutiny from the prime minister and Tory backbenchers, after shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC that Labour is sticking to the government's plans to remove bankers' bonuses cap.
Image source, PA MediaMichelle O'Neill will take on the position of first minister when Stormont is recalled
Prime Minister’s Questions today comes as the UK government is set to publish details of a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) which could see power sharing restored at Stormont.
The DUP has been blocking Northern Ireland's devolved government for nearly two years in protest at post-Brexit trade arrangements.
But the party endorsed the agreement on Monday - subject to laws proposed in the deal being passed - and legislation could be passed in parliament as soon as Thursday.
This would lead to a potential Stormont assembly recall on Friday or Saturday.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the new legislation would "remove checks on goods moving within the UK and remaining in Northern Ireland, and end Northern Ireland blindly following EU laws".
Currently, Sinn Féin is the largest party in Northern Ireland after the last assembly election and will nominate Michelle O'Neill for the position of first minister.
The DUP is the second largest, entitling it to the role of deputy first minister.
Rishi Sunak is now on his way to the Commons where he will face questions from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and other MPs.
We’re only 30 minutes away from PMQs - stay tuned.
It’s that time again – Rishi Sunak will be heading to the House of Commons shortly for his weekly question-and-answer session with MPs.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will lead the charge, with six dedicated questions for the PM at the start. Last week’s session was particularly personal as Starmer went on the attack over Sunak’s wealth and background, suggesting the PM “doesn’t understand Britain”.
He also focused on splits in the Conservatives – something that is still hanging over the PM this week.
But today’s session comes as the UK government prepares to publish details of a deal that could see the DUP return to power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
Many other issues – from immigration to tax cuts and the NHS – could also come up. It’s all wait-and-see at this point.
We’ll bring you all the latest on the debate as is happens, including analysis and explanation from the BBC’s top correspondents. So strap in and follow along with us.