PMQs: Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak put UK on war footing over horror WW3 threat

The SNP has continued to mock Labour over the two-child benefit cap row which sparked a small rebellion against the Government on Tuesday night.

Copies of the front page of the Daily Record newspaper from June this year in which Gordon Brown appealed for Scots to back Labour were strewn across the press gallery in the House of Commons.

Former Labour PM Mr Brown had urged people to vote Labour to "end child poverty".

It follows the Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle scolding the SNP's Westminster leader for attempting to use a copy of the front page in his PMQs attack.

Sir Keir Starmer vowed to tackle child poverty "with the same vigour" as the last Labour government when challenged over his refusal to immediately axe the two-child benefit cap.

His first Prime Minister's Questions since entering No 10 came a day after he suspended seven Labour MPs for backing an SNP motion to abolish the welfare limit.

Sir Keir said: "The last Labour government lifted millions of children out of poverty, something we are very, very proud of.

"And this Government will approach the question with the same vigour with our new task force. Already we've taken steps: breakfast clubs; abolishing no-fault evictions; decent homes standard; Awaab's Law; and a plan to make work pay."

Many users online have said the same thing about Labour PM Keir Starmer's first Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs).

On Wednesday, Starmer faced his first PMQs since entering number 10.

Rishi Sunak asked the PM questions as head of opposition and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey was entitled to ask two questions after his party displaced the Scottish National party (SNP) as the third largest party in the Commons.

Many people online described the rapport between former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer as unusually "polite".

Stephen Flynn has slammed the Labour Government for failing to abolish the two-child benefit cap.

Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe asked the PM: "My constituents in Great Yarmouth have little doubt that out-of-control legal and illegal immigration since 1997 has damaged and disrupted their community, and undermined their public services.

"Does the Prime Minister agree that importing millions of people, with no thought whatsoever to the brutal consequences, has failed our country? I know the good people of Great Yarmouth would much appreciate a yes or no answer to this straightforward question."

The PM replioed: "

"I'm not sure I agree with his numbers. But look, I do think that it's serious that the previous government lost control of our borders."

He added: "It's a serious issue that requires a serious answer and that is why we will set up our Border Security Command to take down the gangs that are running this vile trade.

"What we won't do is waste further time on a gimmick that cost a fortune and removed just four volunteers."

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey went on to say there was a "once-in-a-century chance to fix social care".

He asked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer: "There's another care crisis that's probably even bigger and that's the crisis in social care. I'm sure like me he's met millions of people around the country, have heard about millions of people for whom this is their biggest issue and has been for decades.

"After a once in a century election does he not think there's an opportunity for a once in a century chance to fix social care and thus help our NHS. So can I ask him to set up a cross-party commission on Social Care so we can address this urgent matter?"

Sir Keir replied: "He's right, it is a crisis. I'm sorry to have to report to the House it's not the only crisis that we've inherited. There's a crisis and a failure absolutely everywhere after 14 years of failure that this Government of service will begin the hard yards of fixing, including on social care."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey used his first question to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to ask about the carer allowance repayments.

He said: "The Prime Minister has many messes that he's inherited, and one of them is the scandal over the carers allowance repayments. "

He added: "Will the Prime Minister agree to meet with me and other family carers to try to resolve this matter?"

Sir Keir replied: "(Sir Ed) has of course been a tireless advocate for carers and I don't think any of us could be other than moved when we saw a video of him and his son that was put out during the election campaign. He talks about Team GB, I'm glad he's in a suit today because we're more used to seeing him in a wetsuit.

"But in relation to this issue we have a more severe crisis than we thought as we go through the books of the last 14 years. (The Conservatives) don't like it, there was a reason the electorate rejected them so profoundly.

Mr Sunak asked Sir Keir: "Can I ask that he continues to be responsive to Ukraine's new requests so that they don't just stand still, but can decisively win out against Russian aggression?"

The PM replied: Can I thank the opposition for not only raising the question of Ukraine, but doing it in a way which can maintain the unity across this house which has been so important to the Ukrainian people.

"And I can assure him that we are, of course talking to Ukraine about how they deal with the Russian aggression that they are facing have been facing for many, many months.

"And I will continue to try to do that in the way that he did, which is to reach out across the house to share such information as we can to maintain the unity that is so important."

Asked by Mr Sunak whether he would use "prerogative power" to safeguard the future of the British people, Sir Keir said: "I agree it's essential and as security as the first duty of government. I was grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for reaching out when action had to be taken to me personally, to ensure that I was briefed.

"On the sensitive issues that lay behind the decisions that he had to take.

"And as I mentioned to him last week, I will endeavor to ensure that we proceed in the same way so that he has access to all the information that he needs to come to a determination which I hope will be to be able to support the position that this government takes."

Sir Keir Starmer's first exchanges with Rishi Sunak during PMQs were characterised by their notable cordiality.

The pair seemed to be taking great care not to needle one another - in contrast to the bitter exchanges during the course of the election campaign.

Responding to a question by predecessor Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir said there was "unity" coming out of the recent NATO summit.

He agreed with Mr Sunak that "fatuous claims" by Russia over territory would not block Ukraine's NATO membership.

Specifically he stressed it was a decision for NATO alone.

Speaking to MPs, Sir Keir said paid tribute to the soldier, as well as wishing Team GB well in advance of the Olympic Games.

Sir Keir will likely refer the knife attack on a soldier in Kent during the course of his first PMQs.

Earlier, posting on X, he said: "I am shocked and appalled by the news that a soldier has been attacked in Kent.

"All our thoughts are with the soldier, his family and our Armed Forces community, who serve to keep all of us safe.

"I wish him a swift recovery."

Sir Keir's first PMQs as PM come a day after yesterday's rebellion.

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell was among members who backed an SNP motion calling for scrapping of the two-child policy, which preventing nearly all parents from claiming Universal Credit or child tax credit for more than two children.

Zarah Sultana, one of the suspended MPs, said she had “slept well knowing that I took a stand against child poverty that is affecting 4.3 million people in this country."

She told ITV: "It is the right thing to do and I am glad I did it."

Keir Starmer is bracing himself for his first Prime Minister's Questions as PM.

The Labour leader will go head to head with Rishi Sunak, who will step up to grill Starmer as Leader of the Opposition.

It comes just hours after seven Labour MPs were suspended after voting against the government to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Just two weeks after his election victory, Starmer is already struggling to contain infighting in the party, with furious Corbynites labelling him 'Sir Kid Starver' in a brutal blow.

Hello from London. We'll be bringing you all the latest from PMQs this afternoon as Keir Starmer prepares for a face off with Rishi Sunak.

More to follow.