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| Corbyn challenges Cameron over tax credits – Politics Live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.54pm BST12:54 | |
| Here’s a round-up of Twitter reaction to today’s PMQs. Many political journalists are saying that Corbyn’s performance is improving, but that he should have used all his questions to focus on tax credits. | |
| All of Corbyn's questions important. But six on tax credits would have been far harder for Cameron. #PMQs | |
| Corbyn had Cameron struggling on tax credits at PMQs – but then changed the subject https://t.co/Kl50KXBUF9 | |
| Jeremy Corbyn just shut up the whole Tory benches with a look. 'Thank you' he said like a strict teacher #PMQs | |
| Some are arguing that Cameron struck the wrong tone on tax credits. | |
| All in all, reinforces an impression of not caring about people going through tough times. Not exactly his finest hour. | |
| Cameron's "delighted" moment a sign his #PMQs anger issue still unresolved. The word undercuts the entire Tory "real workers' party" effort. | |
| Ever wondered what "delights" David Cameron? Well, now we know. Turns out it's cutting tax credits for million of workers #PMQs #WorkPenalty | |
| 12.42pm BST12:42 | |
| The Labour party is highlighting Cameron’s use of language in his answer to one of Corbyn’s tax credits questions, specifically his use of the word “delight”. | |
| DC's "delight" at tax credit cuts shows he doesn't stand up for working people #PMQs pic.twitter.com/mdm3s23yJH | |
| 12.40pm BST12:40 | |
| Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar, has an email from a constituent from James Wharton, minister for the northern powerhouse, saying that some of the support package going to the redundant steel workers is going to pay their final salaries. | |
| Cameron says the government has done a lot to help the steelworkers, but adds: “Let me tell the honourable lady what we can’t do. wWe can’t, in this house, set the world price of steel”. | |
| 12.35pm BST12:35 | |
| Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg asks the prime minister about the threat that the opposition in the Lords will vote against the tax credit cuts. He says it would go against a convention established in 1678 and the sovereignty of the Commons. | |
| Cameron agrees with Rees-Mogg and says that MPs have voted in favour of the tax credits cuts twice now and that it would be an abuse of their power if peers were to vote against the measure. | |
| 12.31pm BST12:31 | |
| Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth, shadow minister without portfolio, his issued a statement on the prime minister’s response on tax credits today: | |
| David Cameron showed the true face of the Tory Party at PMQs today when he talked about his ‘delight’ at tax credit cuts. This Tory cut will mean over 3 million families losing on average £1,300 a year. | |
| It’s shameful that David Cameron is ‘delighted’ the cuts were voted through the Commons again last night. Despite his rhetoric yet again we see the Tory Party is not the party of the common ground. | |
| 12.29pm BST12:29 | |
| PMQs snap verdict | |
| Rowena Mason | |
| My colleague Rowena Mason gives a snap verdict on Corbyn’s third PMQs. | |
| Jeremy Corbyn is really getting the hang of this. He mixed his questions from the public up with some penetrating ones of his own and maintained authority with what is becoming a trademark acerbic school-masterly demeanour. The prime minister is already on the back foot over tax credits and the steel crisis so these were two easy subjects for Corbyn but it was overall a creditable effort that seemed to get Cameron slightly rattled. | |
| 12.27pm BST12:27 | |
| BINGO | |
| Iain Stewart asks about the nuclear deterrent. Cameron spots an opportunity. | |
| He says it’s disappointing to the country that the consensus on nuclear weapons has been ignored and that Corbyn is involved in CND. | |
| Frankly it’s today that we’re celebrating that great film Back to the Future and it’s not surprising that many people sitting behind him will tell him to get in his DeLorean and go back to 1985 and stay there. | |
| 12.22pm BST12:22 | 12.22pm BST12:22 |
| SNP MP Anne McLaughlin reads out child poverty figures for her constituency. Cameron says those figures have come after years of “the great tax credits experiment” and that a different approach is now needed. | SNP MP Anne McLaughlin reads out child poverty figures for her constituency. Cameron says those figures have come after years of “the great tax credits experiment” and that a different approach is now needed. |
| 12.20pm BST12:20 | 12.20pm BST12:20 |
| The SNP’s Angus Robertson asks about tax credits plans. “Does the prime minister have the faintest idea of the human cost of these plans?” says Robertson. | The SNP’s Angus Robertson asks about tax credits plans. “Does the prime minister have the faintest idea of the human cost of these plans?” says Robertson. |
| Cameron repeats that families will benefit from other measures, such as the cut to council rents and the raise in the income tax allowance. | Cameron repeats that families will benefit from other measures, such as the cut to council rents and the raise in the income tax allowance. |
| 12.18pm BST12:18 | 12.18pm BST12:18 |
| Corbyn asks a question from Louie about a United Nations investigation into disability rights in the UK. Cameron says that, thanks to legislation passed by the last Conservative government, there have been tens of thousands of disabled people helped into work under the Tory government and that the UK has some of the toughest disability rights legislation in the world. | Corbyn asks a question from Louie about a United Nations investigation into disability rights in the UK. Cameron says that, thanks to legislation passed by the last Conservative government, there have been tens of thousands of disabled people helped into work under the Tory government and that the UK has some of the toughest disability rights legislation in the world. |
| Cameron says he’ll look into the UN investigation, but that his experience of such investigations is that they’re not always as they first appear. | Cameron says he’ll look into the UN investigation, but that his experience of such investigations is that they’re not always as they first appear. |
| 12.14pm BST12:14 | 12.14pm BST12:14 |
| The prime minister met the member of parliament for Scunthorpe 11 months ago but is yet to ask the EU to help protect the British steel industry, says Corbyn. | The prime minister met the member of parliament for Scunthorpe 11 months ago but is yet to ask the EU to help protect the British steel industry, says Corbyn. |
| We have been talking to Europe “for months”, says Cameron. The government has been working to stop the practice of “dumping”. | We have been talking to Europe “for months”, says Cameron. The government has been working to stop the practice of “dumping”. |
| 12.12pm BST12:12 | 12.12pm BST12:12 |
| Corbyn asks a question from a steelworker in Scunthorpe who wants to know what the prime minister has done to help the steel industry. Cameron says the global market for steel is difficult and says the government has done a lot to promote the British steel industry. | Corbyn asks a question from a steelworker in Scunthorpe who wants to know what the prime minister has done to help the steel industry. Cameron says the global market for steel is difficult and says the government has done a lot to promote the British steel industry. |
| Corbyn says “isn’t the real problem that the government doesn’t actually have an industrial strategy?” The government has been dragged “kicking and screaming” to the commons to answer questions on the subject, he says. | Corbyn says “isn’t the real problem that the government doesn’t actually have an industrial strategy?” The government has been dragged “kicking and screaming” to the commons to answer questions on the subject, he says. |
| 12.09pm BST12:09 | 12.09pm BST12:09 |
| “This all very strange because the prime minister seems to have changed his mind,” says Corbyn. He reads out a question from John who asks why Cameron went on TV and said he wouldn’t cut tax credits before the last election. | “This all very strange because the prime minister seems to have changed his mind,” says Corbyn. He reads out a question from John who asks why Cameron went on TV and said he wouldn’t cut tax credits before the last election. |
| Cameron says something “quite strange” happened last night which is that Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, didn’t turn up to vote in the tax credits vote yesterday. | Cameron says something “quite strange” happened last night which is that Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, didn’t turn up to vote in the tax credits vote yesterday. |
| 12.07pm BST12:07 | 12.07pm BST12:07 |
| Jeremy Corbyn is up. We’re returning to the PM’s favourite subject of tax credits, he says. Corbyn reads out quotes from Heidi Allen’s speech yesterday and asks “where was she wrong?” | Jeremy Corbyn is up. We’re returning to the PM’s favourite subject of tax credits, he says. Corbyn reads out quotes from Heidi Allen’s speech yesterday and asks “where was she wrong?” |
| The cuts to tax credits are part of a package, says Cameron. “Let’s make work pay”. He says he’s delighted that the measure passed through the commons again last night. | The cuts to tax credits are part of a package, says Cameron. “Let’s make work pay”. He says he’s delighted that the measure passed through the commons again last night. |
| Here’s a mini explainer of tax credits: | Here’s a mini explainer of tax credits: |
| Updated at 12.14pm BST | Updated at 12.14pm BST |
| 12.04pm BST12:04 | 12.04pm BST12:04 |
| Susan Elan Jones, MP for Clwyd South, asks the prime minister about Sunday trading laws. | Susan Elan Jones, MP for Clwyd South, asks the prime minister about Sunday trading laws. |
| The prime minister says there’s a “strong case for change”, but that local authorities should decide what is best for their area – something that will be in the Cities and Devolution Bill. | The prime minister says there’s a “strong case for change”, but that local authorities should decide what is best for their area – something that will be in the Cities and Devolution Bill. |
| He says you can shop on the internet on a Sunday and that it’s time to modernise. | He says you can shop on the internet on a Sunday and that it’s time to modernise. |
| 12.01pm BST12:01 | 12.01pm BST12:01 |
| The house is filling up in advance of PMQs. | The house is filling up in advance of PMQs. |
| 11.56am BST11:56 | 11.56am BST11:56 |
| The Daily Mail has asked lip reading experts to look at the film of Jeremy Corbyn’s and David Cameron’s awkward looking exchange as they waited to hear Chinese President Xi Jinping give his speech yesterday. | The Daily Mail has asked lip reading experts to look at the film of Jeremy Corbyn’s and David Cameron’s awkward looking exchange as they waited to hear Chinese President Xi Jinping give his speech yesterday. |
| According to the lip readers, Corbyn said to the prime minister: “It was difficult because, erm, that’s his ex-wife who is, erm, apparently an ex-prostitute”. | According to the lip readers, Corbyn said to the prime minister: “It was difficult because, erm, that’s his ex-wife who is, erm, apparently an ex-prostitute”. |
| It is not clear who he was talking about. | It is not clear who he was talking about. |
| David Cameron then went on to talk about the levels of self-employment “falling gradually”. “That’s right, absolutely, that would be more interesting,” Corbyn responded. | David Cameron then went on to talk about the levels of self-employment “falling gradually”. “That’s right, absolutely, that would be more interesting,” Corbyn responded. |
| The exchange prompted fevered speculation on social media yesterday about what the two could have said to each other. | The exchange prompted fevered speculation on social media yesterday about what the two could have said to each other. |
| 11.42am BST11:42 | 11.42am BST11:42 |
| Bets are on for how many Back to the Future gags there are in today’s prime minister’s question time. | Bets are on for how many Back to the Future gags there are in today’s prime minister’s question time. |
| Prediction: Tory backbencher using #PMQs to make a #BackToTheFuture gag about Labour going back to the 1980s | Prediction: Tory backbencher using #PMQs to make a #BackToTheFuture gag about Labour going back to the 1980s |
| Shall we all agree to down a whole bottle of wine every time MP mentions Back To The Future at PMQs & then at least it might all end quicker | Shall we all agree to down a whole bottle of wine every time MP mentions Back To The Future at PMQs & then at least it might all end quicker |
| The thought that #PMQs will probably be full of laboured gags about Back to the Sodding Future is genuinely upsetting. | The thought that #PMQs will probably be full of laboured gags about Back to the Sodding Future is genuinely upsetting. |
| 11.09am BST11:09 | 11.09am BST11:09 |
| The Local Government Association, which represents 370 councils and boroughs across the country, has called for headteachers to be able to approve pupils taking family holidays in term-time, a move that would end a controversial policy that has led to a sharp rise in the number of parents being fined for unauthorised absences. | The Local Government Association, which represents 370 councils and boroughs across the country, has called for headteachers to be able to approve pupils taking family holidays in term-time, a move that would end a controversial policy that has led to a sharp rise in the number of parents being fined for unauthorised absences. |
| Schools minister Nick Gibb was on the Today programme earlier defending the current policy: | Schools minister Nick Gibb was on the Today programme earlier defending the current policy: |
| We tightened the rules, but the rules have always been... that you should not take time out of terms to go on holiday, but there was an impression given that every parent was entitled to two weeks leave to take a child on holiday. That was increasing, it wasn’t just one or two children… it was increasing. | We tightened the rules, but the rules have always been... that you should not take time out of terms to go on holiday, but there was an impression given that every parent was entitled to two weeks leave to take a child on holiday. That was increasing, it wasn’t just one or two children… it was increasing. |
| If you do this, you can disrupt the teachers planning of their lessons, you affect the education of other children, but it also affects the child themselves. Because our data shows that just a week off per year as leading up to GCSE courses can reduce the chances of that child getting good GCSE’s by about a quarter. | If you do this, you can disrupt the teachers planning of their lessons, you affect the education of other children, but it also affects the child themselves. Because our data shows that just a week off per year as leading up to GCSE courses can reduce the chances of that child getting good GCSE’s by about a quarter. |
| 10.53am BST10:53 | 10.53am BST10:53 |
| Labour MP John Woodcock doesn’t seem too happy with the news that Guardian journalist Seumas Milne has been appointed as Corbyn’s head of communications. | Labour MP John Woodcock doesn’t seem too happy with the news that Guardian journalist Seumas Milne has been appointed as Corbyn’s head of communications. |
| Delighted to welcome Seamus Milne to the team! Thanks Seamus! | Delighted to welcome Seamus Milne to the team! Thanks Seamus! |
| We finally have Tory MPs squirming over the vote on tax credit cuts and we unleash more process barminess to divert attention.. So fed up. | We finally have Tory MPs squirming over the vote on tax credit cuts and we unleash more process barminess to divert attention.. So fed up. |
| This is not some middle class columnista parlour game, it is people's lives who are being wrecked by the Tories. They deserve better. | This is not some middle class columnista parlour game, it is people's lives who are being wrecked by the Tories. They deserve better. |
| 10.16am BST10:16 | 10.16am BST10:16 |
| Today’s Sun newspaper has a good quote from a senior Number 10 aide. Asked about Boris Johnson’s increasingly eurosceptic murmerings, the aide said: | Today’s Sun newspaper has a good quote from a senior Number 10 aide. Asked about Boris Johnson’s increasingly eurosceptic murmerings, the aide said: |
| Boris is bored. He will do anything to grandstand on the world stage. | Boris is bored. He will do anything to grandstand on the world stage. |
| The aide told The Sun that rumours that Johnson would get a cabinet role in charge of infrastructure when he steps down as London mayor were unfounded and that he would get a “ceremonial” post. | The aide told The Sun that rumours that Johnson would get a cabinet role in charge of infrastructure when he steps down as London mayor were unfounded and that he would get a “ceremonial” post. |
| The London mayor and MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip has flirted with throwing his weight behind the campaign to leave the European Union in the upcoming referendum. | The London mayor and MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip has flirted with throwing his weight behind the campaign to leave the European Union in the upcoming referendum. |
| Speaking to the BBC while on a trip to Japan last week, Johnson said: “I think I am exactly where the prime minister is and, I think, actually a huge number of the proportion of the British public. | Speaking to the BBC while on a trip to Japan last week, Johnson said: “I think I am exactly where the prime minister is and, I think, actually a huge number of the proportion of the British public. |
| “We want, in an ideal world, to stay in a reformed European Union but I think the price of getting out is lower than it’s ever been. It’s better for us to stay in, but to stay in a reformed EU. That’s where I am.” | “We want, in an ideal world, to stay in a reformed European Union but I think the price of getting out is lower than it’s ever been. It’s better for us to stay in, but to stay in a reformed EU. That’s where I am.” |
| 9.42am BST09:42 | 9.42am BST09:42 |
| So, it’s officially ‘Back to the Future Day’ – meaning it was this day (21st October 2015) that Michael J Fox travelled back to in the 1989 blockbuster Back to the Future Part II. While the Guardian is running a live blog to mark the day, the department for work and pensions has decided to use the day to promote its workplace pensions campaign. | So, it’s officially ‘Back to the Future Day’ – meaning it was this day (21st October 2015) that Michael J Fox travelled back to in the 1989 blockbuster Back to the Future Part II. While the Guardian is running a live blog to mark the day, the department for work and pensions has decided to use the day to promote its workplace pensions campaign. |
| ‘Pensions? Where we’re going we don’t need pensions…’ #DontIgnoreIt #BackToTheFuture https://t.co/fWkyXT9qBY pic.twitter.com/G1Pjx7P2oO | ‘Pensions? Where we’re going we don’t need pensions…’ #DontIgnoreIt #BackToTheFuture https://t.co/fWkyXT9qBY pic.twitter.com/G1Pjx7P2oO |
| A giant fluffy creature called Workie is the new face of the department’s workplace pensions campaign. Workie made his TV debut on Tuesday night in an ad break between Emmerdale and Coronation Street on ITV. | A giant fluffy creature called Workie is the new face of the department’s workplace pensions campaign. Workie made his TV debut on Tuesday night in an ad break between Emmerdale and Coronation Street on ITV. |
| Pensions minister, Ros Altmann, who was personally involved in designing Workie, said: | Pensions minister, Ros Altmann, who was personally involved in designing Workie, said: |
| This is a fun and quirky campaign but behind it lies a very serious message. We need everyone to know they are entitled to a workplace pension – and we need all employers to understand their legal responsibility to their staff, but also to feel more positive about engaging with workplace pensions. | This is a fun and quirky campaign but behind it lies a very serious message. We need everyone to know they are entitled to a workplace pension – and we need all employers to understand their legal responsibility to their staff, but also to feel more positive about engaging with workplace pensions. |
| DWP have revived a character from David Bowie's Labyrinth to scare the shit out of people who don't have a pension. pic.twitter.com/AquRk4ArrV | DWP have revived a character from David Bowie's Labyrinth to scare the shit out of people who don't have a pension. pic.twitter.com/AquRk4ArrV |
| Updated at 10.08am BST | Updated at 10.08am BST |
| 9.14am BST09:14 | 9.14am BST09:14 |
| Here’s a round up of political stories you may have missed this morning. | Here’s a round up of political stories you may have missed this morning. |
| Updated at 9.21am BST | Updated at 9.21am BST |
| 8.41am BST08:41 | 8.41am BST08:41 |
| Jeremy Corbyn will face David Cameron for his third appearance at prime minister’s question time today at midday. | Jeremy Corbyn will face David Cameron for his third appearance at prime minister’s question time today at midday. |
| Corbyn held what Labour described as “cordial and constructive” talks with the Chinese president Xi Jinping at Buckingham Palace yesterday. They had a 30 minute private meeting and, according to a Labour spokesperson, discussed: | Corbyn held what Labour described as “cordial and constructive” talks with the Chinese president Xi Jinping at Buckingham Palace yesterday. They had a 30 minute private meeting and, according to a Labour spokesperson, discussed: |
| ...the history of links between the UK, the Labour Party and China, in particular the huge contribution and sacrifice of the Chinese people in the struggle against fascism during the Second World War and the Labour Party’s commitment to build constructively on that history.... | ...the history of links between the UK, the Labour Party and China, in particular the huge contribution and sacrifice of the Chinese people in the struggle against fascism during the Second World War and the Labour Party’s commitment to build constructively on that history.... |
| Jeremy also raised the issues of human rights and the impact of Chinese imports on the UK steel industry. | Jeremy also raised the issues of human rights and the impact of Chinese imports on the UK steel industry. |
| Later this afternoon, around 2.30pm, Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson will give evidence at the commons home affairs select committee to be grilled about his alleged role in the rape and paedophile investigations into Leon Brittan, the late Conservative peer. | Later this afternoon, around 2.30pm, Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson will give evidence at the commons home affairs select committee to be grilled about his alleged role in the rape and paedophile investigations into Leon Brittan, the late Conservative peer. |
| Education minister, Tim Loughton, who sits on the committee, told the BBC on Monday that Watson had “rather set himself up as judge, jury and executioner over individual cases”. | Education minister, Tim Loughton, who sits on the committee, told the BBC on Monday that Watson had “rather set himself up as judge, jury and executioner over individual cases”. |
| No charges were ever brought about the people that have been named by Tom and now he is made to look rather silly. | No charges were ever brought about the people that have been named by Tom and now he is made to look rather silly. |
| I’m covering for Andrew this week, bringing you breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. | I’m covering for Andrew this week, bringing you breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. |
| If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @fperraudin | If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @fperraudin |
| Updated at 8.49am BST | Updated at 8.49am BST |