✕
Close
Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are clashing at the first session of PMQs since MPs returned to parliament following the Easter break.
The prime minister and Labour leader face off after the government’s smoking ban for those born after 2009 cleared its first Commons hurdle and as the Rwanda bill returns for further votes.
Earlier it was reported that the police probe into Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner was looking at multiple allegations and not limited to potential electoral law offences.
Greater Manchester Police previously announced it was investigating Ms Rayner over the sale of the property and whether she broke electoral law by giving false information of her address.
The probe will also look into tax matters relating to the sale.
“It’s very well resourced, it’s not a single issue,” a source told The Times. “There is a volume of material and a clear public interest to fully investigate.”
The source also emphasised it was possible no offences would be identified.
Ms Rayner has insisted she has done nothing wrong and vowed toresign if found to have committed any offences.
She said the story was a smear being pushed by the Conservative Party to hurt her and Labour ahead of the local elections on 2 May.
Key Points
- Sunak and Starmer face off at PMQs
- Rayner facing ‘multiple’ allegations amid row over sale of house
- Rwanda bill could become law by end of the week
- Libertarian Tories hit out at ‘absurd’ smoking ban
Starmer pokes fun at Liz Truss book
Starmer uses his first question to poke fun at former PM Liz Truss, who has been promoting her book this week.
He points out that Truss described her premiership as the happiest period in her life.
He asks Sunak if he has met anyone who agrees with that.
Matt Mathers17 April 2024 12:05 1713351448Starmer and Sunak will clash at PMQs in a few minutes.
We’ll have all the action as it happens.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates. Watch it live here.
Matt Mathers17 April 2024 11:57 1713351331Right-wing National Conservatism Conference to resume after being shut down by Brussels police
The right-wing National Conservatism Conference will be free to meet today for its second day of programming without further interference from the police, the Belgium high court has ruled.
The Conseil d’État, the highest court in Belgium relating to issues of public administration, said the conference should be allowed to resume today after it was closed down by the police on Tuesday following an order by the local mayor.
Full report:
National Conservatism Conference to resume after being shut down by Brussels police
Belgium authorities shut down the event attended by Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman following an order from the local mayor
Matt Mathers17 April 2024 11:55 1713350731
How did your MP vote on government’s smoking ban?
MPs voted 383 to 67, majority 316, to give the Tobacco and Vapes Bill a second reading.
The prime minister relied on Labour votes to see off opponents on his own benches, led by the former PM Liz Truss.
Here’s how all MPs voted:
How did my MP vote on the smoking bill?
MPs voted 383 to 67, to give the Tobacco and Vapes Bill a second reading
Matt Mathers17 April 2024 11:45 1713350071Fears interest rate cuts will be delayed after inflation falls less than expected
UK inflation slowed less than expected in March, leading economists and traders to be cautious about possible interest rate cuts in the summer.
The figures released by the ONS on Wednesday morning showed that inflation was 3.2 per cent in March, slightly higher than the 3.1 per cent predicted by economists.
Full report:
UK inflation falls less than expected to 3.2% in March
This is the lowest level inflation has been at since September 2021
Matt Mathers17 April 2024 11:34 1713349460Sunak and Starmer to face off at PMQs
Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are set to clash at the first session of PMQs since MPs returned to parliament following the Easter break.
The prime minister and Labour leader face off after the government’s smoking ban for those born after 2009 cleared its first hurdle and as the Rwanda bill returns to the Commons.
We’ll bring you live updates from the session - you’ll also be able to watch it live on our YouTube channel (link to follow).
Matt Mathers17 April 2024 11:24 1713349051The hounding of Angela Rayner is an outrageous declaration of class war
Labour’s deputy leader is northern, working class and a strong woman – so obviously Tories and the Conservative press are out to bring her down ahead of a general election where she will be a major asset on the doorstep, says John Rentoul.
Read John’s piece in full here.
Matt Mathers17 April 2024 11:17 1713348451ICYMI: Rishi Sunak forces through vote for total ban on smoking for those born after 2009
Britain is on course to ban smoking for an entire generation after Rishi Sunak forced through a historic vote in the House of Commons.
The prime minister relied on Labour votes to see off opponents on his own benches, led by the former PM Liz Truss, winning by 383 votes to 67.
Full report:
Rishi Sunak forces through vote for total ban on smoking for a generation
Business secretary Kemi Badenoch was among those who defied the prime minister’s call for his cabinet to back the plan
Matt Mathers17 April 2024 11:07 1713347876Minister confident Rwanda flights will take off in spring
Ministers are confident deportation flights to Rwanda will take off this spring, despite the legislation underpinning the plan remaining in parliamentary deadlock.
Treasury minister Laura Trott said there were “many definitions of spring” when pressed about a timeline for getting planes off the runway.
Ms Trott told Sky News: “We will be ready for flights to take off in the spring when the legislation passes.”
She added: “I think there are lots of definitions of spring but we are hoping to get them up and running as quickly as possible.”
Matt Mathers17 April 2024 10:57 1713347055
Watch: Nigel Farage says ‘big political decision’ to be announced when quizzed on joining Conservative Party
Nigel Farage said he is going to make a big political decision within the “next few weeks” after he was quizzed on whether he would join the Conservative Party.
Mr Farage was quizzed on his political future after Liz Truss said she would like to see him “join the party”.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (17 April), Ed Balls quizzed Mr Farage about his future plans.
He said: “In terms of what i may or may not do, I simply haven’t decided, but I notice Reform is getting stronger.
“I’m going to make a big decision about this within the next few weeks.”
Watch the clip here.
Matt Mathers17 April 2024 10:44 Newer1 / 2OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
