PMQs live: Starmer refuses to rule out more tax rises as Badenoch labels Rayner a ‘ginger nut’

Badenoch challenges Starmer on general election petition

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to repeat Rachel Reeves’ commitment not to push through any further tax hikes.

The prime minister was asked by Kemi Badenoch at PMQs if he could repeat the chancellor’s statement to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), when she said: “I’m clear I’m not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes.”

The PM said he was “fixing the foundations” of the economy, but would not repeat the pledge.

The prime minister’s clash with the Tory leader comes as MPs continue to voice their opinions over the upcoming assisted dying vote in the Commons on Friday.

Overnight, former prime ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Theresa May have all come out opposing the bill.

Kim Leadbeater has admitted she thinks the vote on the assisted dying bill will be “very close” and that it will get “hours and hours and hours of scrutiny” if MPs vote to put it through to the next stage on Friday.

Starmer accused of being determined to defend ‘disastrous’ Tory Brexit policies – PMQs

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of being determined to defend the Tories “disastrous” Brexit policies that have left the UK out of the single market and customs union.

Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard said: “We recognise that Labour is determined to defend the economically disastrous conservative policies of being outside the customs union and single market.

“However, does the prime minister agree with the principle that where it is in our country’s interest to maintain alignment with EU standards so we can better sell our products internationally, we align, and where it is in our interests to diverge, we diverge?”

Responding, the PM said: “We are determined to reset the relationship which we’ve already done. Obviously there will be no return to freedom of movement, customs union, the single market. But we can improve the situation when it comes to trading, security and cooperation. We’re actively working on that.”

Millie Cooke27 November 2024 12:49

PMQs is over for the week…

The third clash between Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch has finished.

Joe Middleton27 November 2024 12:40

Starmer challenged at PMQs by Badenoch over Vauxhall job losses

Sir Keir Starmer was challenged at PMQs about the potential job losses caused by Vauxhall-owner Stellantis saying it would close its van-making plant in Luton.

Kemi Badenoch suggested Sir Keir “doesn’t seem to care” about young people who will “lose their jobs as a result of his Budget”, adding in the Commons: “Perhaps he can show more concern for the 1,100 people who found out yesterday that they could lose their jobs at Vauxhall’s plant in Luton.

“So while he flies around making unilateral commitments, back home the real world effects are businesses closing in Bedfordshire and Basildon. Does the prime minister stand by his promise to ban the sale of petrol cars by 2030 even if more jobs will be lost?”

Sir Keir replied: “The question of the position of jobs in Luton is a very serious one and families and workers will be very worried and we’re obviously engaging with them.

“I would remind the leader of the Opposition that the EV (electric vehicle) mandates that are an issue in this particular case were actually introduced by the last government. I would also remind her that she was the business secretary that introduced them. We’re getting on with supporting those communities, she’s shouting from the sidelines.”

Joe Middleton27 November 2024 12:32

Resign and find out’, Badenoch challenges Starmer

Kemi Badenoch has challenged Sir Keir Starmer to resign, pointing to a petition signed by 2 million people calling for a general election in the UK.

After the prime minister told the Commons at PMQs that Ms Badenoch’s party hasn’t “got a clue what they’re doing”, the Tory leader responded: “If he wants to know what the Conservatives would do, he should resign and find out.”

“There’s a petition out there – 2 million people asking him to go. He’s the one who doesn’t know how things work, it’s not government that creates growth, it is business. Businesses say they are cutting jobs because of the chancellor’s budget”, she added.

Hitting back, Sir Keir said: “We had a massive petition on the fourth of July in this country.”

“We spent years taking our party from a party of protest to a party of government, theyre hurtling in the opposite direction”, the PM added.

(UK Parliament)

Millie Cooke27 November 2024 12:19

Kemi Badenoch dubs Angela Rayner ‘ginger nut’

Kemi Badenoch just rattled off a pun-riddled question which culminated in her dubbing Angela Rayner a “ginger nut”.

Referring to the boss of McVitie’s bakery products’ parent firm Pladis saying the case for investment in the UK is getting harder to see, Ms Badenoch said: “Let me give him another example of a real business.

“Following his Budget, the head of McVitie’s has said that it has been harder to understand what the case for investment in the UK is.

“So while the PM has been hobnobbing in Brazil, businesses have been struggling to digest his budget.” She added: “Isn’t it the case the Employment Rights Bill shows that it is not only the ginger nut that is causing him problems?”

Archie Mitchell27 November 2024 12:15

Keir Starmer refuses to commit to no more tax hikes

Keir Starmer has refused to repeat Rachel Reeves’ commitment to not pushing through any further tax hikes.

The prime minister was asked by Kemi Badenoch if he could repeat the chancellor’s statement to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), when she said: “I’m clear I’m not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes.”

The PM said he was “fixing the foundations” of the economy, but would not repeat the pledge.

And he hit back, saying Ms Badenoch herself would not repeal his national insurance hike in the Budget.

Archie Mitchell27 November 2024 12:09

Starmer comments on Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire – PMQs

Firstly the prime minister comments on the ceasefire that was struck between Israel and Hezbollah last night.

Sir Keir said: “We must seize this opportunity to build trust, de-escalate tensions and push for a wider ceasefire.”

Joe Middleton27 November 2024 12:08

PMQs begins

Keir Starmer is on his feet and PMQs has begun…

Joe Middleton27 November 2024 12:04

BREAKING: William Hague beats Peter Mandelson to become Oxford University chancellor

William Hague has beaten Peter Mandelson to become chancellor of the University of Oxford.

The former Conservative Party leader has been elected, it has been announced.

Earlier this month he warned that the Labour grandee could not be UK ambassador to the US and chancellor.

Joe Middleton27 November 2024 11:51

Starmer may be ‘softening’ on Labour’s ‘tractor tax’, NFU president claims

Sir Keir Starmer may be softening his stance on changes to inheritance tax, according to the boss of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).

After a meeting in No 10 with the prime minister on Monday, NFU president Tom Bradshaw claimed there was “a more conciliatory tone” regarding the controversial change which some have dubbed a “tractor tax”.

Mr Bradshaw added: “We are trying to give it a bit of room to breathe. He hasn’t guaranteed me anything but I think there is a general softening of lines and I don’t want to stoke the fire.”

Joe Middleton27 November 2024 11:15