Will the UK economy grow faster in six years than other G7 countries?published at 13:15 British Summer Time 22 May 2024

13:15 BST 22 May 2024

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Earlier during PMQs, we heard Rishi Sunak describe today's fall in inflation as a "major moment for the economy".

His chancellor also had some favourable things to say about the country's economic outlook.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Jeremy Hunt has said that “the UK economy will grow faster over the next six years than in France, Germany, Italy or Japan", according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

It should be said that forecasting what the economy will be like six years in the future is highly uncertain.

But the IMF did indeed predict, external that the UK economy, as measured through its gross domestic product (GDP), would be 8.8% bigger by the end of 2029 than at the start of this year.

That would be more growth than it forecasts for France (8.3%), Germany (5.7%), Italy (3.5%) or Japan (4.4%).

But it would be smaller than the other two members of the G7 major advanced economies: USA (13.7%) and Canada (10.8%).

It should also be mentioned that other forecasters are less optimistic about the UK, at least in the short term.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, external), for example, predicts that the UK will have the worst growth in the G7 next year.

That's it for another round of prime minister's questions with plenty to digest and unpick.

Let's have a quick look at the key moments from this Wednesday's session:

• A standing ovation for Craig Mackinlay marked his first return to Parliament since suffering a life-threatening episode of sepsis which led to the amputation of his hands and feet
• Rishi Sunak, Labour's Sir Keir Starmer, SNP's Stephen Flynn and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey all paid tribute to the Tory MP
• On the infected blood scandal, Starmer asked Sunak if the time has come for "the duty of candour to be enshrined in law" as he noted failings in other scandals
• The PM reiterated comments he'd made earlier about patterns of behaviour in this scandal were replicated in others - such as the Hillsborough stadium disaster
• The two political leaders saw eye-to-eye about the NHS needing to be held accountable for its failings
• Stephen Flynn pressed the PM on rumours swirling about a summer general election
• But the PM wouldn't confirm, as he repeated previous claims that it will happen in the second half of the year
• Finally, Mackinlay closed PMQs by saying today was an emotional day for him as he thanked well-wishers

As our political editor Chris Mason has mentioned, there are rumours swirling in Westminster of a summer general election - but we must stress, they are only rumours.

Earlier, Stephen Flynn, leader of the SNP in Westminster, asked the prime minister to comment - asking if he's "feart [scared]". Watch the exchange here:

As we just reported, PMQs ended with Craig Mackinlay - and just before the session began, he receieved a standing ovation as he entered the chamber.

It was the South Thanet MP's first time in the Commons since suffering a life-threatening episode of sepsis, which led to the amputation of his hands and feet.

Sunak pays tribute to Mackinlay's family in the gallery, saying he is full of admiration for the "extraordinary job" they've done to support him - and also pays tribute to the NHS staff who looked after him.

He agrees sepsis is a "devastating condition" and adds the NHS has recognised more needs to be done to improve awareness and treatment of it.

Craig Mackinlay also thanks Rishi Sunak, adding the prime minister was “with me throughout” and visited him several times as he was recovering.

The Commons breaks out into applause again as he thanks NHS workers who cared for him when he was “close to death”.

The final MP called is South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay - who was hailed repeatedly through the session.

He says today is “an emotional day” for him, and he wants to say a "few thanks".

He starts with an apology for causing so much clapping - against general Commons norms - and for his outfit.

“I’ve got trainers on because my shoes wouldn’t go on over the plastic feet, and my jacket wouldn’t go over the bionic arm," he says.

Alliance MP for North Down Stephen Farry talks about British shipbuilding and fabrication company Harland & Wolff describing it as an "iconic cornerstone" of the UK's defence and future shipbuilding industry.

He asks the PM if he can ensure the approval of the company's exportation guarantee is achieved.

Sunak says he cannot comment on the specifics due to commercial sensitivity, but he says the government is committed to the UK shipbuilding sector insisting "we are working closely with Harland & Wolff".

Conservative Tom Randall recalls that former prime minister Margaret Thatcher described inflation as a "destroyer" of industry, jobs and savings. That is just as true today, he suggests.

Sunak says today's fall in inflation is a "major moment for the economy", with the headline rate "back to normal" thanks to the hard work and resilience of the British people. This shows, he says, the government's plan is "working".

Thanks to that plan, he adds, mortgage rates, energy bills and taxes are all down.

The alternative, he says, would be £2,000 of tax rises under Labour.

Chris Mason
Political editor

A combination of the return of Craig Mackinlay and a discussion about the infected blood scandal has given these exchanges a far more consensual feel than usual.

It took Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader, to address the general election chat head on.

Downing Street know the swirl of chat that is, well, swirling.

And Rishi Sunak’s answer will do nothing to ease that swirl, even though he merely said again what he has been saying repeatedly for the last six months.

Next, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey pays tribute to Craig Mackinlay and also families of victims of the Manchester Arena bombing who are also present in the House of Commons chamber today.

He then tells Sunak about an issue that concerns tens of thousands of carers who are victim of a "flawed system" at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Davey asks the PM if the government should be "supporting not penalising" carers, who he says are being "punished" with bills for going over the earnings limit.

In his response Sunak, says the government recognises the work carers do and that is why their allowance has increased by almost £1,500 since 2010 and leave has been introduced.

Stephen Flynn, leader of the SNP in Westminster, is up now.

He asks the prime minister to comment on today's rumours about a general election, asking if he's "feart [scared]".

Rishi Sunak responds by reiterating his previous claims, saying that there will be a general election in the second half of the year.

Flynn says Sunak "continues to play games with the public" and uses his follow-up to ask about David Cameron's comments about curbing graduate visas, who warned they would lead to job losses and university closures.

The prime minister says the government is taking "decisive action" to reduce levels of legal migration, saying it will ease the pressure on public services.

Sunak says the government wants to implement recommendations from the inquiry's final report "as quickly as practically possible".

The "expectation," he adds, is that this can be done before the end of the year, adding that compensation should be paid with a "minimum delay".

Starmer says there is a chance to make progress “with victims in mind”.

He asks Sunak if he will “promise” to deliver on all the infected blood scandal recommendations by the end of year.

The PM agrees that silencing whistleblowers is wrong.

The appointment of Sir Robert Francis to head the compensation scheme, with his long track record of working with victims of NHS mistreatment, will reassure those affected by this scandal, he adds.

In his penultimate question Starmer says "we need reform and we need change" as he draws on personal experiences and says he recognises how hard it can be.

He then moves on to say there are still "clear examples of NHS managers gagging staff" who want to raise issues and concerns.

Starmer says these managers are "moved on rather than be moved out".

He asks the PM if he will ensure those "who do gag and silence whistle-blowers will no longer be allowed to work in the NHS"?

Sunak says he agrees that the culture of the NHS needs to change.

He adds it is "absolutely clear" the health service failed, and it is right they are "held accountable for that".

On the topic of the NHS, Starmer puts to the prime minister if culture “needs to change” after speaking about Sir Brian Langstaff’s report, which identified individual failures, coverups, institutional cultural failings.

This, he adds, included inside the NHS.

Sunak says on Monday he said the patterns of behaviour in this scandal were replicated in others -such as the Hillsborough stadium disaster.

He adds that structural and behavioural problems need to be addressed, but the full contents of the report are still being digested.

Starmer says he understands the prime minister will want to look into detail at Sir Brian Langstaff's recommendations.

But, Starmer asks, if Sunak will expand the "duty of candour" beyond health as he offers to work across the House of Commons.