PMQs: Keir Starmer rips into Reform council chaos after leaked recording

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Labour must be 'bold', Angela Rayner says

Angela Rayner has insisted Labour is best when it is "bold" as she vowed to "fight with everything I have" to change lives in her first public comments since resigning.

Labour must 'strengthen the hand' of working people, Angela Rayner says

Ms Rayner finishes her speech by saying in each generation it has fallen to a Labour government to "strengthen the hand" of working people.

She said: "In 1945, it was maternity pay, the NHS and homes for heroes out of the ruins of war. In the 1970s, it was Barbara Castle and the fight for Equal Pay; In the 1990s, it was the minimum wage. 6 And despite the opposition – because of the work of this Labour Government, we have the opportunity to write a new chapter of justice and fairness for working people.

"As tough as politics can be, it is nothing compared to what thousands of people in my constituency and the country face every day. Backbench or front bench, elected office is not about us but our chance to change the lives of others, and from wherever I sit on these benches, I will fight with everything I have to do exactly that.

Labour provided biggest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation, Rayner says

The former deputy leader now listing her achievement, and stresses importance of a Labour government.

She says: "It's why this Government will pass the Duty of Candour.

"Make no mistake, the Hillsborough Law is for the 97 and their families. But it is also for the sub-postmasters who endured the Horizon scandal, the victims of infected blood, and those who died or whose lives were changed forever in the Grenfell Tower fire.

"A line in the sand that says the public will always come first. I am also incredibly proud that this Labour Government provided the biggest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation. It was the foundation of a decent home that gave me the security to build my life on."

Angela Rayner on what trade unions taught her

Angela Rayner says trade unions informed her values.

She said: "Labour is at its best when we are bold - and I have been so proud to work alongside some of the trade unionists who nurtured and supported me, to deliver the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. This is a personal statement, Mr Speaker.

"But the trade union movement taught me that it’s not about yourself. It’s about ‘us’. It’s about who we’re there for. And everything I’ve done has been an endeavour for ‘us’, for our people, who elected us and we serve."

Labour provided me with foundation for better life, Angela Rayner says

Angela Rayner says Labour gave her the foundation for a better life.

She says: "The last Labour government gave me the foundation to build a better life for me and my young son. A council house to support me. Sure Start to help raise my kids. And the security of a minimum wage. A good job. A decent, secure home. It’s not too much to ask. But for too many it is out of reach."

Angela Rayner says it was an 'honour' to serve in Labour Government

Angela Rayner begins by saying it was the "honour" of her life to serve in a Labour Government.

She said: "When I made my maiden speech over a decade ago, I said that itwas the honour of my life to represent Ashton Under Lyne in this House., and alongside serving in this historic Labour Government it is still the honour of my life.

"I promised then to bring determination, commitment and my socialist values to this House while representing them, and Iintend to continue doing so. My title may have changed, but the strength and character of the people of my constituency have not".

Angela Rayner speech minutes away

Angela Rayner is minutes away from giving her resignation speech. David Lammy is in the chamber to offer support.

Dame Louise Casey to support grooming gangs inquiry

The session also saw Keir Starmer announce Dame Louise Casey would support the work of the national inquiry into grooming gangs as he was challenged by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. Mr Starmer said the probe "would not shy away" from cultural and religious issues and he defended safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.

Nigel Farage ridiculed for weird stunt

Here is the full story as Keir Starmer mocks Nigel Farage for his bizarre protest which saw the Reform UK leader hide in the public gallery.

PMQs concludes

PMQs has now concluded, and we're expecting a resignation statement from Angela Rayner on her resignation as deputy leader shortly.

PM mocks Reform over council spat

The PM has mocked Nigel Farage's Reform UK after it was forced to suspend four councillors today for bringing the party into "disrepute".

It comes after a leaked Zoom video showed a chaotic internal meeting of Kent council where members were told to "f****** suck it up".

He adds it is “quite something” for a party whose former Welsh leader has been convicted for taking pro-Russian bribes.

Greens should back measures to boost the economy, PM says

Green party MP Dr Ellie Chowns asks if the PM agrees that inequality is the biggest issue facing society, not immigration.

The PM says if the Greens are concerned about the economy, they should vote for policies to address it.

Potholes concerns

Labor MP Daniel Francis says he's been banned from reporting potholes by his local Tory council, who don't want to pay to fix them.

The PM says it sounds like the Tory record of 14 years, and calls for them to "use the money and fix the roads".

Does the PM support a new customs union?

Sir Ed points out Brexit has been a disaster, and calls for a new customs union deal with the EU.

The PM replies "no", points out trade deals struck by the government, and that the UK economy is the fastest growing in the G7.

Prince Andrew case warrants more scrutiny

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey asks if MPs should scrutinise the Crown Estate, to prevent issues such as Prince Andrew still being allowed to live in a sprawling 30-room Windsor mansion. The PM expresses his support.

Tories didn't deal with grooming gangs in office

The PM points out that the Tories had 14 years in power, when the grooming gangs scandsl were taking place, and ignored concerns. He claimed Labour has done more than the Conservatives ever did, and was focused on supporting victims.

Keir Starmer defends safeguarding minister Jess Phillips

Ms Badenoch says safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has lost the confidence of victims, and asks if she still has the support for the PM.

Mr Starmer points out Ms Phillips has "more experience" than any other MP in dealing with violence against women and girls.

Judge-led inquiry could damage criminal investigations, PM says

Ms Badenoch again goes back to the comments from Fiona, and says the report would have been watered down if victims had not quit. She labels it "shocking" that a chair has not been appointed, and calls for it to be a judge.

The PM replies that the inquiry being judge led was looked at, but Baroness Casey decided against as it would impact the speed, and also that it was incompatible with criminal-led investigations. Mr Starmer points out not having a judge has allowed them to reopen 1200 historic cases at the same time.

PM says grooming gang inquiry will not 'shy away' from race or religion

Ms Badenoch says the inquiry will play down the relevance of race and religion to the inquiry.

The PM corrects her, saying it will not shy away or dilute the issue, and points out it was him that commissioned the inquiry in the first place.

Victims at the 'heart' of inquiry, PM says

Kemi Badenoch points out the PM's safeguarding minister suggested one of the victims, Elizabeth, was wrong in her criticism of the inquiry. She askes who is right, the minister or victim?

The PM replies by saying he wants survivors to be at the "heart of this", and he wants an inquiry that finds the truth.

Grooming gang question

Kemi Badenoch begins by asking questions about the grooming gang inquiry. Reading a question from Fiona, one of the victims, she asked "what's the point in speaking up if we're just going to be called liars?".

The PM thanks her for the question, and calls it one of the "worst scandals of our time".

He adds: "I do acknowledge some members have decided to stay away from the panel.. Should they wish to return, the door will always be open. We owe it to them and the country to answer the questions they have raised. The inquiry will never be watered down".

The PM also reveals Louise Casey will now support the work of the national grooming gangs scandal inquiry.

Roz Savage asks about Digital ID

Lib Dem Roz Savage opens with a joke about Digital ID, after a photo posted on X revealed she'd submitted her PMQs question in advance. Going off script to laughter, she raised concerns about the security of Digital ID.

Angela Rayner to give resignation statement

It is understood former Deputy PM Angela Rayner will give a delayed resignation statement in the Commons later today.

It will be the first public comments from the Labour heavyweight since she was forced to resign last month as both Deputy PM and Housing Secretary over unpaid tax on a second home.

Nigel Farage protest

The Commons is packed for PMQs, though one MP has not managed to make it to his seat.

Nigel Farage is instead sitting in the spectator's gallery, in protest over his lack of question., something awarded by size of party.

Whining on Twitter, he said: "Every week at PMQs I am attacked by the PM and Labour MPs, but have no right of reply. I am just a mere spectator. So I have decided to spectate from the public gallery today instead."