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Prime minister's questions (UK users only)Prime minister's questions (UK users only)
By Justin Parkinson 1217 Mr Cameron, who calls for the £10,000-a-year communications allowance for MPs to be axed, jokes that Mr Brown needs an "independent commission to decide whether he has tea or coffee in the morning" and urges him to "wake up" and show "real leadership". The PM says he is "sorry" that the Tory leader is choosing to "divide" on the expenses issue. By Justin Parkinson 1230 Mr Brown says the conflict in Sri Lanka is having a devastating effect and that the government will make efforts to persuade the country's leaders to bring in a ceasefire.
1228 Labour veteran Denis Skinner says there is reason for celebration in that the "sunny uplands" of economic recovery are in view. To laughter, Mr Brown welcomes Mr Skinner back after illness, saying he makes the House a better place.
1228 Labour's Helen Southworth asks what is being done to protect missing children. Mr Brown says he has asked ministers to report on child trafficking.
1227 "Duty" to restore confidence? Their duty is to us, the public, not their wallets. It is time they started doing what they were elected for, and running the country. Pay them a salary for what they do, not for what they think they are worth. How many teachers (like self), nurses, doctors, etc, would like the sort of salary an MP gets? They do nothing except sit on their behinds and bleat.Darren, Sheffield
1226 Mr Brown says ministers are looking very carefully at a report on Equitable Life pensioners.
1225 Gordon Brown seems to think that continually repeating the phrase "radical proposals" equates to providing the country leadership. It doesn't.Jonathan, Hampshire
1225 Lib Dem Roger Williams asks the PM to meet a delegation of young people living in the countryside to discuss their problems. Mr Brown says the government is determined to help with jobs and housing in rural areas.
1224 Did an MP shout, "You're a millionaire" at David Cameron?Sarah, Belfast
1222 Mr Clegg urges Mr Brown to follow the Lib Dem front bench's commitment to repay profits made on taxpayer-funded second homes. Mr Brown says capital gains tax payments are the priority and other issues will be dealt with afterwards.
1221 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg also asks about expenses. He says the "loophole" of profits made on second homes paid for with public money must be addressed. Mr Brown says any solution will need the confidence of the general public and says it will be one of the issues the Committee on Standards in Public Life will look into during its review of the expenses and allowances rules.
1220 From BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti: Expenses dominated proceedings. David Cameron continued trying to make the running - with the surprise suggestion about the communications allowance being scrapped. Gordon Brown said it was open to the House to change it - falling into the trap laid for him by the Tory leader. Show some leadership Mr Cameron said. The idea was to contrast Brown the process-follower with Cameron the change-maker.
1217 Mr Cameron, who calls for the £10,000-a-year communications allowance for MPs to be axed, jokes that Mr Brown needs an "independent commission to decide whether he has tea or coffee in the morning" and urges him to "wake up" and show "real leadership". The PM says he is "sorry" that the Tory leader is choosing to "divide" on the expenses issue.
1215 Mr Cameron suggests reducing the number of MPs. Mr Brown says he is trying to build a consensus on change, which is the "way forward".1215 Mr Cameron suggests reducing the number of MPs. Mr Brown says he is trying to build a consensus on change, which is the "way forward".
1209 The atmosphere is unsurprisingly subdued. Mr Cameron says MPs need to get on with reforms now, and that the issue is "the rules themselves", which require some "political leadership". He says that judgement was needed on whether the claims were morally or ethically right - not whether or not the rules were followed. Mr Brown says agreement is needed across the parties.1209 The atmosphere is unsurprisingly subdued. Mr Cameron says MPs need to get on with reforms now, and that the issue is "the rules themselves", which require some "political leadership". He says that judgement was needed on whether the claims were morally or ethically right - not whether or not the rules were followed. Mr Brown says agreement is needed across the parties.
1207 Mr Cameron is on his feet. He asks about expenses. Mr Cameron says all details should be published online now. Mr Brown reiterates the importance of transparency and says that every MP has a "duty" to restore confidence.1207 Mr Cameron is on his feet. He asks about expenses. Mr Cameron says all details should be published online now. Mr Brown reiterates the importance of transparency and says that every MP has a "duty" to restore confidence.
1204 Expenses is indeed the first question. Mr Brown says it is up to politicians to set up a "transparent" system of expenses to rebuild confidence.1204 Expenses is indeed the first question. Mr Brown says it is up to politicians to set up a "transparent" system of expenses to rebuild confidence.
1202 We are under way. Gordon Brown is paying tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan in the last week.1202 We are under way. Gordon Brown is paying tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan in the last week.
1201 Michael Howard, former Conservative leader, tells Daily Politics that it is not a "given" that Mr Brown has enough authority over his party to ensure backing for Mr Martin.1201 Michael Howard, former Conservative leader, tells Daily Politics that it is not a "given" that Mr Brown has enough authority over his party to ensure backing for Mr Martin.
1200 Former Labour London Mayor Ken Livingstone tells Daily Politics the Speaker should go. he says Mr Martin has been "disappointing".1200 Former Labour London Mayor Ken Livingstone tells Daily Politics the Speaker should go. he says Mr Martin has been "disappointing".
1159 How will the Speaker, Michael Martin, fare after criticisms from some MPs over his handling of the expenses issue? Not long until we find out.1159 How will the Speaker, Michael Martin, fare after criticisms from some MPs over his handling of the expenses issue? Not long until we find out.
1157 BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells BBC Two's Daily Politics the poor economic predictionss from the Bank of England "may be an opportunity" for Mr Cameron to attack the government.1157 BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells BBC Two's Daily Politics the poor economic predictionss from the Bank of England "may be an opportunity" for Mr Cameron to attack the government.
1153 Before the main event gets under way, international development questions are taking place. The Commons chamber is about half full.1153 Before the main event gets under way, international development questions are taking place. The Commons chamber is about half full.
1152 On the list of MPs who listed to ask questions this week is Labour's Dennis Skinner. The veteran left-winger from Bolsover loves to taunt the Conservatives - particularly shadow chancellor George Osborne - so expect some verbal fireworks from him.1152 On the list of MPs who listed to ask questions this week is Labour's Dennis Skinner. The veteran left-winger from Bolsover loves to taunt the Conservatives - particularly shadow chancellor George Osborne - so expect some verbal fireworks from him.
1148 Lest we forget, the economy is still the biggest issue for the world beyond Westminster. The Bank of England has predicted a recovery, but a slow and protracted one. Might this be Mr Cameron's line of attack, especially given the further rise in unemployment announced on Tuesday?1148 Lest we forget, the economy is still the biggest issue for the world beyond Westminster. The Bank of England has predicted a recovery, but a slow and protracted one. Might this be Mr Cameron's line of attack, especially given the further rise in unemployment announced on Tuesday?
1146 On a dull and dank day at Westminster, Tory and Lib Dem leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg are putting the final touches to their questions for Gordon Brown. Of course MPs' expenses are the story at the moment but how would the issue play, given that no party has emerged unscathed from the Daily Telegraph's revelations? Maybe there will be some one-upmanship about what the various leaders are doing to address the problem. Either way the subject is bound to dominate proceedings.1146 On a dull and dank day at Westminster, Tory and Lib Dem leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg are putting the final touches to their questions for Gordon Brown. Of course MPs' expenses are the story at the moment but how would the issue play, given that no party has emerged unscathed from the Daily Telegraph's revelations? Maybe there will be some one-upmanship about what the various leaders are doing to address the problem. Either way the subject is bound to dominate proceedings.
1145 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of prime minister's questions. We will be bringing you full coverage of Gordon Brown's half-hour session with MPs, as well as all the latest comment and a selection of your views. My colleague Reeta Chakrabarti will be giving her insights, while Labour's former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and ex-Tory leader Michael Howard will provide inside views, courtesy of BBC Two's Daily Politics.1145 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of prime minister's questions. We will be bringing you full coverage of Gordon Brown's half-hour session with MPs, as well as all the latest comment and a selection of your views. My colleague Reeta Chakrabarti will be giving her insights, while Labour's former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and ex-Tory leader Michael Howard will provide inside views, courtesy of BBC Two's Daily Politics.