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Jeremy Corbyn asks David Cameron 'questions from public' Jeremy Corbyn asks David Cameron 'questions from public'
(35 minutes later)
Jeremy Corbyn has asked David Cameron a series of questions emailed to him from members of the public at his debut PMQs in a change to the usual format.Jeremy Corbyn has asked David Cameron a series of questions emailed to him from members of the public at his debut PMQs in a change to the usual format.
The new Labour leader said he wanted a less "theatrical" prime minister's questions with more serious debate.The new Labour leader said he wanted a less "theatrical" prime minister's questions with more serious debate.
Mr Cameron agreed that the weekly sessions should focus more on "substantial" issues.Mr Cameron agreed that the weekly sessions should focus more on "substantial" issues.
Mr Corbyn quizzed Mr Cameron on housing, tax credits and cuts to mental health services.Mr Corbyn quizzed Mr Cameron on housing, tax credits and cuts to mental health services.
MPs listened in near silence to the exchanges, although noise levels rose back to their normal levels after the Labour leader reached the end of his six questions.MPs listened in near silence to the exchanges, although noise levels rose back to their normal levels after the Labour leader reached the end of his six questions.
BBC Deputy Political Editor Norman Smith said Mr Corbyn had created a "different, calmer atmosphere in the chamber" and it had felt like a "local radio phone-in" at times with questions from the public, although Mr Cameron had not been put under any real pressure.BBC Deputy Political Editor Norman Smith said Mr Corbyn had created a "different, calmer atmosphere in the chamber" and it had felt like a "local radio phone-in" at times with questions from the public, although Mr Cameron had not been put under any real pressure.
The session began with Mr Cameron congratulating Mr Corbyn on his "resounding victory" in the Labour leadership contest and welcoming him to the frontbench.The session began with Mr Cameron congratulating Mr Corbyn on his "resounding victory" in the Labour leadership contest and welcoming him to the frontbench.
He added that "no one would be more delighted than me" if PMQs could become a "genuine exercise in asking questions and answering questions".He added that "no one would be more delighted than me" if PMQs could become a "genuine exercise in asking questions and answering questions".
Mr Corbyn was cheered by Labour MPs as he got to his feet. He thanked those who had voted for him in the contest, adding: "I thought at my first PMQs, I would do it in a slightly different way... So I sent out an email to thousands of people and asked them what questions they would like to put to the prime minister and I received 40,000 replies."Mr Corbyn was cheered by Labour MPs as he got to his feet. He thanked those who had voted for him in the contest, adding: "I thought at my first PMQs, I would do it in a slightly different way... So I sent out an email to thousands of people and asked them what questions they would like to put to the prime minister and I received 40,000 replies."
Housing
He then said he was asking a question "from a woman called Marie - 'what does the government intend to do about the chronic lack of affordable housing and the extortionate rents charged by some private sector landlords in this country'?"He then said he was asking a question "from a woman called Marie - 'what does the government intend to do about the chronic lack of affordable housing and the extortionate rents charged by some private sector landlords in this country'?"
Mr Cameron said the government had delivered 260,000 affordable housing units in the last parliament and had built more council houses than over the course of the 13 years of the last Labour government.Mr Cameron said the government had delivered 260,000 affordable housing units in the last parliament and had built more council houses than over the course of the 13 years of the last Labour government.
He added: "But I recognise much more needs to be done."He added: "But I recognise much more needs to be done."
Mr Cameron said more reforms of the planning system and the building industry were needed as well as helping people to get on the housing ladder. Before Mr Corbyn began his second question he thanked the prime minister "for his commitment that we are going to do Prime Minister's Questions in a more adult way than it's been done in the past".
He added: "We won't get Britain building unless we keep our economy going." His second question, on behalf of "Steven" was about job losses at housing associations caused by cuts in rent.
Mr Cameron said it was "vital" to reform housing associations to "make sure they are more efficient".
The Labour leader then turned to what he called "shameful" cuts in tax credits, voted through by MPs on Tuesday, which he said would cost "£1,300 per year to families affected".
Quoting "Paul", he asked: 'Why is the government taking tax credits away from families?"
The prime minister said: "What we need is a country where work pays."
Mental health
He claimed the lowest paid would get a "£20 a week pay rise next year" but the rest of his reply was drowned out by jeering from the Labour benches,
"I thought this was the new Question Time. I'm not sure the message has fully got home."
Mr Corbyn ended with a question from "Gail": "Do you think it's acceptable that the mental health services in this country are on their knees at the present time?"
Mr Cameron said that mental health was one of "the areas where we can work together" and the government had made "some important steps" forward, bringing mental health into parity with physical health in the NHS constitution.
But he added: "We will not have a strong NHS unless we have a strong economy, and if the Labour Party is going to go down the route of unlimited spending, unlimited borrowing, unlimited tax rates, printing money, they will wreck the economic security of our country and the family security of every family in our country."
Before PMQs got under way, Labour sources confirmed Mr Corbyn, who believes in the abolition of the monarchy, will sing the national anthem at official events, after being criticised for not doing so at a service to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.Before PMQs got under way, Labour sources confirmed Mr Corbyn, who believes in the abolition of the monarchy, will sing the national anthem at official events, after being criticised for not doing so at a service to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Mr Corbyn is the fifth Labour leader to face Mr Cameron across the despatch box over the past decade since he became Conservative leader.Mr Corbyn is the fifth Labour leader to face Mr Cameron across the despatch box over the past decade since he became Conservative leader.
Mr Corbyn has said that Angela Eagle, the shadow business secretary, will deputise for him at PMQs when he does not attend - for instance when Mr Cameron is travelling abroad, when deputy leaders traditionally stand in at the despatch box.Mr Corbyn has said that Angela Eagle, the shadow business secretary, will deputise for him at PMQs when he does not attend - for instance when Mr Cameron is travelling abroad, when deputy leaders traditionally stand in at the despatch box.
He has also floated the idea of allowing other colleagues to take the floor on occasion, saying he had approached the Commons Speaker John Bercow to discuss the issue.He has also floated the idea of allowing other colleagues to take the floor on occasion, saying he had approached the Commons Speaker John Bercow to discuss the issue.
The News Channel will be discussing Jeremy Corbyn's first PMQs throughout the day. They are interested to know what you would ask David Cameron if you were Jeremy Corbyn. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your questions.The News Channel will be discussing Jeremy Corbyn's first PMQs throughout the day. They are interested to know what you would ask David Cameron if you were Jeremy Corbyn. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your questions.
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