Sunak rules out cutting value of pensions to fund his proposed plan to get rid of national insurance
Starmer says that was a non-answer. When Sunak is asked questions, like about the date of the election, he acts as if answering questions is beneath him. He says, under Sunak’s plan, the value of the state pension would be halved. Will Sunak rule that out?
Sunak says “of course we can rule that out”. He says state pensions will rise in every year of the next parliament, thanks to the triple lock. Labour delivered an insulting 75p rise in pensions. Labour always let down pensioners.
Key events
Sunak declines to condemn Tory activists being involved in anti-Ulez Facebook groups riddled with racism
Deidre Brock (SNP) asks about the Facebook groups opposed to Ulez and 20mph zones that are run by Tory activists. They have been spreading racist abuse. Will the PM tackle this “grubby, gutter politics”?
That is a reference to this Observer story.
Sunak says he is not aware of this. But he will not apologise for Tories attacking the SNP’s record, he says.
Peter Aldous (Con) sasy the east of England is playing a role in the transition to net zero. But the coast has taken a battering recently. Will the government do more to protect infrastructure there.
Sunak says the east of England is benefiting from the levelling up programme.
Andrew Selous (Con) asks what they govenrment will do to attract more doctors into working in community paediatrics.
Sunak say the NHS has a working group looking at this. And the government is increasing the number of medical places available, he says.
Caroline Lucas (Green) asks about the prospect of an attack on Rafah in Gaza. If that attack starts, will the PM ban arms exports to Israel?
Sunak says Lucas did not acknowledge that Israel suffered an appalling terrorist attack. It has the right to defend itself, he says. He says he has repeatedly said Israel should take care to avoid civilian casualties.
SNP’s Stephen Flynn says troops should only be deployed delivering aid in Gaza if MPs vote in favour
Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, asks Sunak if he is giving active considering to the deployment of troops in the Middle East. He says the MoD has refused to comment on reports that troops could help deliver aid into Gaza.
Sunak says he would not be expected to comment on operational matters. But the government is working to get more aid in.
Flynn says deploying troops would be a “potentially dangerous” development. He says it should only happen after a vote in the Commons.
Sunak says he will not apologise for wanting to deliver aid to Gaza. He says a hostage deal could deliver a ceasefire. He says the SNP should encourage all parties to back that.
Starmer attacks Sunak again for not being able to say how he will fund his tax cut.
Sunak says people should vote Tory to cut crime and deliver lower taxes.
Starmer asks again where the £46bn will come from to get rid of national insurance.
Sunak says Labour has got a new adviser who calls pensioners codgers.
(The adviser is a former adviser to a Tory chancellor.)
Starmer says the Tory peer Lord Frost says the pension age should be raised to 75. Will Sunak rule that out?
Sunak says the triple lock will protect questions. He does not address the question, but he points out that, as a former DPP, Starmer has his own, protected pension.
Sunak rules out cutting value of pensions to fund his proposed plan to get rid of national insurance
Starmer says that was a non-answer. When Sunak is asked questions, like about the date of the election, he acts as if answering questions is beneath him. He says, under Sunak’s plan, the value of the state pension would be halved. Will Sunak rule that out?
Sunak says “of course we can rule that out”. He says state pensions will rise in every year of the next parliament, thanks to the triple lock. Labour delivered an insulting 75p rise in pensions. Labour always let down pensioners.
Starmer says that reply was nonsense. He says Tory MPs are following Tory voters in concluding only Labour can give the country the change it needs.
He asks if Sunak has found the money for his £46bn plan to scrap national insurance.
Sunak says he addressed this before. Economics is not Starmer’s strong point, he claims.
One party will deliver tax cuts, and it is the Conservative party, he says.
Keir Starmer starts by backing what Sunak said about the attack in Hainault. He praises the emergency services, and sends his condolences to the family of the boy killed.
He says he was glad to see the king back on a visit yesterday.
And he welcomes Dan Poulter to the Labour benches. Poulter defected from the Tories at the weekend.
When a lifelong Tory and doctor says the only cure for the NHS is a Labour government, shouldn’t the PM admit he has failed.
Sunak says he is glad to see Poulter in the Commons. (Tories accuse Poulter of not turning up to parliament often.)
Lisa Cameron (Con) asks if Sunak knows why Labour refused to back his plan to support the armed services?
Sunak says it is right to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. He says he hopes Starmer will “stop dithering” and back the plan.
Kirsten Oswald (SNP) says more than one teenager in five is vaping. They could be at risk of toxic metals, she says. She says she backs the tobacco and vapes bill. Does the PM agree vape companies should be banned from advertising on sports kit?
Sunak says that is a decision for individual teams.
Rishi Sunak starts by saying the thoughts of all MPs are with the people affected by yesterday’s sword attack in Hainault.
Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.
Rishi Sunak faces Keir Starmer at PMQs
PMQs is about to start. With local elections tomorrow, it may be be even more combative and cantankerous than usual.
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