PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch to have huge Commons clash with Keir Starmer
Kemi Badenoch is set to clash with Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs today. The Tory leader will grill the Prime Minister in the House of Commons at midday for the final time before MPs break up for their lengthy summer recess.
The leader of the Opposition could ask Sir Keir about tax hikes and the dire state of the economy. Chancellor Rachel Reeves used a major speech yesterday to announce a series of reforms aimed at making Britain more competitive globally.
Mrs Badenoch may also press the PM on scrapping the two-child benefit cap after the Tories forced a vote on the issue yesterday. He is facing pressure from some backbenchers to go ahead with the move, but the Conservatives back keeping the limit.
However the Tories will also face pressure following yesterday's revelation of an enormous cover-up of a leak that saw tens of thousands of Afghans evacuated to Britain and up to 100,000 lives put at risk.
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John Healey has suggested not one person has, or will be, sacked for their part in the enormous data breach that has cost the country millions and put up to 100,000 lives at risk.
Following the lifting of an unprecedented superinjunction yesterday, Mr Healey said: "I'm not going to give you a snap retrospective judgement and I'm certainly not going to lead some witch hunt after a defence official."
"This is much bigger than the mistake of an individual."
Responding to June’s inflation figure of 3.6%, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:
“These stubbornly high inflation figures are hammering the pockets of households who are still struggling with a cost-of-living crisis that refuses to go away.
“The Conservatives' mismanagement of the economy led us here and now Donald Trump’s senseless trade war and the Government’s wage suppressing jobs tax are only adding to people's pain.
“Only by building an economic coalition of the willing to stand up to Trump’s bullying, scrapping the Government’s jobs tax and bolstering our energy security will we see pressure ease for families across the country."
Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said: "Surging services inflation of 4.7% shows the folly of the Chancellors choice to hike NI on businesses rather than the more honest approach of income tax. Higher costs and rising unemployment are the price.”
Rachel Reeves claims there's 'more to do' after she oversaw a further increase in inflation.
Reaction to this morning's bad news, the Chancellor said: “I know working people are still struggling with the cost of living.
"That is why we have already taken action by increasing the national minimum wage for three million workers, rolling out free breakfast clubs in every primary school and extending the £3 bus far cap.
"But there is more to do and I’m determined we deliver on our Plan for Change to put more money into people’s pockets.”
Rachel Reeves is under huge pressure this morning after new figures showed a major rise in inflation, beyond that forecast by experts.
Prises rose by 3.6% in June, up from 3.4% in May, well above the 2% target left by the Tories.
Sir Mel Stride MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “This morning’s news that inflation remains well above the 2 per cent target is deeply worrying for families."
“Labour’s decision to tax jobs and ramp up borrowing is killing growth and stoking inflation – making every day essentials more expensive – and because Labour are too weak to take tough choices on spending, more tax rises are on the way, leaving families facing ever-rising costs."
express.co.uk
