This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8508011.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
LIVE: Prime minister's questions LIVE: Prime minister's questions
(10 minutes later)
AdvertisementAdvertisement
PM's questions, followed by torture statement: From Democracy LivePM's questions, followed by torture statement: From Democracy Live
By Justin Parkinson 1208 Mr Cameron says the PM's pre-prepared gags should be funnier and mocks Mr Brown's reported eating habits, saying there are "not enough bananas on the menu". The Speaker interrupts proceedings, amid high noise levels. By Justin Parkinson 1213 Mr Cameron asks whether the PM will rule out a compulsory levy on the elderly. Mr Brown asks Mr Cameron to read the relevant literature and attacks the Tories again. Speaker John Bercow says the decibel level in the chamber must go down.
1212 Mr Cameron says Labour councils are criticising the social care scheme. Mr Brown says the Tories have no policies to deal with the issue. It's getting quite lively.
1211 On social care, Mr Brown says the Tories have broken the consensus on the issue. He attacks a new Conservative poster on the issue - featuring a tombstone and the words "Don't vote for Labour's new death tax" - as "wrong". Mr Cameron attacks the scheme again.
1208 Mr Cameron says the PM's pre-prepared gags should be funnier and mocks Mr Brown's reported eating habits, saying there are "not enough bananas on the menu". The Speaker interrupts proceedings, amid high noise levels.
1206 David Cameron also pays tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan. He asks about the social care plans, saying they are unclear and unfunded. He asks why so many councils are unconvinced by the idea. Mr Brown said the Tories supported the plans - currently going through the Lords - when they were in the Commons. He says the House must be united on helping people.1206 David Cameron also pays tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan. He asks about the social care plans, saying they are unclear and unfunded. He asks why so many councils are unconvinced by the idea. Mr Brown said the Tories supported the plans - currently going through the Lords - when they were in the Commons. He says the House must be united on helping people.
1204 Labour's Brian Iddon says he is "astonished" at a campaign against the government's social care plans. He asks whether the PM will continue to help pensioners - pretty soft question to start with. Mr Brown says he is committed to ensuring security and dignity in retirement.1204 Labour's Brian Iddon says he is "astonished" at a campaign against the government's social care plans. He asks whether the PM will continue to help pensioners - pretty soft question to start with. Mr Brown says he is committed to ensuring security and dignity in retirement.
1202 Gordon Brown begins by paying tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan.1202 Gordon Brown begins by paying tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
1202 BBC deputy political editor James Landale tells BBC Two's Daily Politics that Tory leader David Cameron could lead on the issue of the funding of the government's social care scheme. Let's see, we're off.1202 BBC deputy political editor James Landale tells BBC Two's Daily Politics that Tory leader David Cameron could lead on the issue of the funding of the government's social care scheme. Let's see, we're off.
1158 Just a couple of minutes to go now. Quite a few frontbenchers are in place - including Justice Secretary Jack Straw.1158 Just a couple of minutes to go now. Quite a few frontbenchers are in place - including Justice Secretary Jack Straw.
1156 From BBC Political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue Believe it or not, Gordon Brown and David Cameron haven't slugged it out over the economy at PM's questions for three weeks. For one of those weeks, neither was there of course, thanks to the latest crisis in Northern Ireland, but the odds must be pretty short on it coming up today. Also, Will Mr Cameron be able to resist raising the concerns of seventy odd councils over the Government's plans for personal care for the most vulnerable in England? And what about reports that Gordon Brown has shunned the KitKat for a new banana habit - will the Tory leader be able to engineer a bit of a prime ministerial slip up on that one?1156 From BBC Political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue Believe it or not, Gordon Brown and David Cameron haven't slugged it out over the economy at PM's questions for three weeks. For one of those weeks, neither was there of course, thanks to the latest crisis in Northern Ireland, but the odds must be pretty short on it coming up today. Also, Will Mr Cameron be able to resist raising the concerns of seventy odd councils over the Government's plans for personal care for the most vulnerable in England? And what about reports that Gordon Brown has shunned the KitKat for a new banana habit - will the Tory leader be able to engineer a bit of a prime ministerial slip up on that one?
1155 Some news. Former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has been elected as chairman of the newly formed Joint Committee of both Houses on the National Security Strategy.1155 Some news. Former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has been elected as chairman of the newly formed Joint Committee of both Houses on the National Security Strategy.
1154 Ahead of the main event, Wales questions are taking place. Not looking too busy in the chamber.1154 Ahead of the main event, Wales questions are taking place. Not looking too busy in the chamber.
1153 Three Labour MPs are at the top of this week's ballot to ask questions of Mr Brown: Brian Iddon, Gordon Marsden and Stephen Ladyman. Tory Douglas Carswell - an outspoken critic of the expenses system - is next.1153 Three Labour MPs are at the top of this week's ballot to ask questions of Mr Brown: Brian Iddon, Gordon Marsden and Stephen Ladyman. Tory Douglas Carswell - an outspoken critic of the expenses system - is next.
1152 The on-going situation regarding Cadbury's takeover might arise, especially the decision to close the Somerdale factory in Keynsham, near Bristol. Also, in recent days Tory leader David Cameron has been highly critical of Gordon Brown over his handling of MPs' expenses. Might he continue this at the despatch box?1152 The on-going situation regarding Cadbury's takeover might arise, especially the decision to close the Somerdale factory in Keynsham, near Bristol. Also, in recent days Tory leader David Cameron has been highly critical of Gordon Brown over his handling of MPs' expenses. Might he continue this at the despatch box?
1151 So, with the prospect of a week of pre-election campaigning in their constituencies ahead of them, what will be on MPs' minds today? The economy, as per normal? Bank of England chief Mervyn King has said inflation will hit 3.5% before dropping below the target of 2%. What else? Maybe the news that the government has lost a bid to prevent the disclosure of secret information relating to the alleged torture of UK resident Binyam Mohamed? With yet another snap of cold weather, might the government's ability to cope with the situation also come under scrutiny once more?1151 So, with the prospect of a week of pre-election campaigning in their constituencies ahead of them, what will be on MPs' minds today? The economy, as per normal? Bank of England chief Mervyn King has said inflation will hit 3.5% before dropping below the target of 2%. What else? Maybe the news that the government has lost a bid to prevent the disclosure of secret information relating to the alleged torture of UK resident Binyam Mohamed? With yet another snap of cold weather, might the government's ability to cope with the situation also come under scrutiny once more?
1150 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of prime minister's questions from the House of Commons - the last session before MPs take a mini-break for half-term. My colleague Gary O'Donoghue will be providing expert analysis, with further views coming from other BBC correspondents across our television and radio output and comments from Lib Dem luminary Baroness Williams and Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, courtesy of BBC Two's Daily Politics.1150 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of prime minister's questions from the House of Commons - the last session before MPs take a mini-break for half-term. My colleague Gary O'Donoghue will be providing expert analysis, with further views coming from other BBC correspondents across our television and radio output and comments from Lib Dem luminary Baroness Williams and Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, courtesy of BBC Two's Daily Politics.