Starmer dodges question at PMQs over two-child benefit cap and attacks Tories on immigration – live

During the PMQs Sir Keir Starmer claimed the Tories had “lost control of our borders” after he was attacked over the Labour Government’s approach to tackling illegal and legal immigration.

The Prime Minister said it was a “serious issue that requires a serious answer”.

On his move to scrap the Rwanda scheme, Sir Keir said Labour “won’t waste further time on a gimmick”.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey went on to say there was a “once-in-a-century chance to fix social care”.

He asked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer: There’s another care crisis that’s probably even bigger and that’s the crisis in social care. I’m sure like me he’s met millions of people around the country, have heard about millions of people for whom this is their biggest issue and has been for decades.

“After a once in a century election does he not think there’s an opportunity for a once in a century chance to fix social care and thus help our NHS. So can I ask him to set up a cross-party commission on Social Care so we can address this urgent matter?”

Sir Keir replied: “He’s right, it is a crisis. I’m sorry to have to report to the House it’s not the only crisis that we’ve inherited. There’s a crisis and a failure absolutely everywhere after 14 years of failure that this Government of service will begin the hard yards of fixing, including on social care.”

Wrapping up PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer has issued a message for the Conservatives.

He said: “We have a housing crisis where the dream of home ownership for young people is simply gone under the previous government.”

Sir Keir then said he is “not going to listen” to the Conservatives, adding: “They put their case to the electorate. The electorate rejected them profoundly.

“My advice is when you get rejected that profoundly by the electorate, it’s best not to go back to the electorate and tell them they were wrong.

“It is best to reflect and change your approach and change your party.”

Members then passed to other business, and are now debating to approve a motion on the Global Combat Air Programme International Government Organisation.

Sir Keir Starmer has hit back at the SNP attacked the prime minister over yesterday’s Labour rebellion.

SNP MP Pete Wishart asked if Sir Keir Starmer’s “honeymoon” was “over before it has even begun” after the Labour rebellion on the two-child benefit cap.

Sir Keir hit back and said: “Having left for the election campaign with quite a significant number of SNP members and come back with a small handful, I really don’t think lectures on what the electorate in Scotland are thinking, I am very proud of our Scottish Labour MPs on this side of the House.

“I simply repeat the point I made to his leader. Perhaps the SNP needs to account for the 30,000 extra children in poverty in Scotland.”

Adrian Ramsay has urged Sir Keir Starmer to back plans to host a future UN nature summit.

He said the UK is “one of the most nature depleted [countries] on Earth” and welcomed the “signal” from Labour that they care about this “existential issue”.

In response, the prime minister slammed the Green co-leader, the PM said he is “committed to nature recovery”, but turns the question round to the Mr Ramsay. 

Sir Keir added: “We are committed to nature recovery but he talks about leadership but he is opposing vital clean infrastructure in his constituency.

“We will put the plans before this house and I ask him to back those plans.”

Labour backbencher Emma Lewell-Buck has asked whether the PM will consider supporting a special tribunal with statutory powers, to examine the nuclear testing programme.

In response, Starmer committed to ensuring a meeting is arranged between Ms Lewell-Buck and the energy minister.

SNP leader in Westminster Stephen Flynn has slammed Sir Keir Starmer over his decision to keep the two-child benefit cap.

Mr Flynn addressed the prime minister about a policy that “forces children into poverty”.

It was introduced by former chancellor George Osborne, who said removing benefits eligibility for parents with a third child would “incentivise” parents to move into work and take up more hours.

Sir Keir said: “I am glad he mentioned Gordon Brown because the last Labour government lifted millions of children out pf poverty, something we are very, very proud of and this Government will approach the question with the same vigour with our new taskforce.

“Already we have taken steps – breakfast clubs, abolishing no fault evictions, decent homes standards and a plan to make work pay.

“But I would just say this. Before he lectures everyone else, he should explain why since the SNP came to power there are 30,000 more children in poverty in Scotland.”

Sir Keir Starmer has poked fun at Sir Ed Davey’s multiple stunts during the election campaign.

Welcoming the Lib Dem leader to the House of Commons, he said: “I’m glad he is in a suit today. We are more used to seeing him in a wetsuit.”