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18m agoStarmer says he does not agree with criticism of his defence record made by George Robertson
Kemi Badenoch asks why Lord Robertson had “corrosive complacency” on defence.
Starmer says he respects Robertson. But he does not agree with him on this. He has committed twice to raising defence spending, including by cutting aid, a difficult decision.
The defence investment plan will be published as soon as possible, he says.
Key events 4m ago Starmer says Trump's threat to rip up UK-US trade deal won't affect his stance on Iran war 18m ago Starmer says he does not agree with criticism of his defence record made by George Robertson 25m ago Balancing UK’s welfare and defence spending ‘not zero-sum game’, minister says 37m ago Starmer faces Badenoch at PMQs 42m ago Streeting claims until recently he thought stories about Mandelson's post-jail links with Epstein were 'overblown' 2h ago Streeting says women's health strategy will help tackle 'culture of medical misogyny' in NHS 3h ago War against Iran helping Putin, Starmer says 3h ago Reeves to meet US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent, after he claimed 'small bit of economic pain' caused by Iran war worth it 3h ago Labour claims Reform UK won’t protect women, as poll suggests Farage’s party heading for ‘seismic’ wins in May
Gregory Campbell (DUP) says protests are being organised for next week over fuel costs. The government needs to act as soon as possible to see these off.
Starmer says he was in Northern Ireland a few weeks ago, when he told party leaders what the government was doing on energy bills.
The most important thing to do is to de-escalate the conflict, he says.
Jodie Gosling (Lab) asks about rightwing protests in her constituency affecting NHS staff.
Starmer says violence of this kind is “despicable”. He says the government is legislating to make attacks on health staff an offence.
Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance) asks if the government will deliver for people in the worst cost of living crisis they have faced.
Starmer says wages have gone up, which did not happen when the Tories took power. And he says the government has responded to concerns from Northern Ireland about the cost of heating oil. It is looking at what more it can do, he says.
Starmer says Trump's threat to rip up UK-US trade deal won't affect his stance on Iran war
Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, says Donald Trump has threatened to rip up the trade deal with the UK because of the government’s stance on the war.
Davey says this is the last straw. The state visit must be called off.
Starmer says a lot of pressure has been applied to him, including what happened last night. He says he will not yield. “I know where I stand,” he says.
But he says the state visit should go ahead. He says it will support links that last beyond who is in power at any one time.
Ian Byrne (Lab) asks Starmer to commit to ruling out any carve out for the security services from the Hillsborough law making it an offence of officials not to tell the truth to inquiries about public disasters.
Starmer says he wants to ensure the duty of candour applies to all public services.
Badenoch says she met Robertson last year to discuss the defence review.
Will the PM approve an upgrade that will affect HMS Dragon?
Starmer says HMS Dragon was commissioned by the last government.
He attacks Badenoch again over her record on the war.
He claims she insulted British pilots, accusing them of hanging around.
He says she is not serious.
Badenoch says this is a moment of profound national seriousness. But what are Labour doing – promoting sex toys in parliament.
That gives new meaning to the phrase fiddling while Rome burns.
Badenoch asks if the billions saved from ditching the Chagos deal will go into defence.
Starmer says the goverment is already spending more on defence. The armed forces have had the biggest pay rise for years, he says.
Badenoch says Starmer loves to misrepresent her position on the war.
She offers again to help Starmer find welfare cuts to fund higher defence spending.
Starmer ridicules Badenoch’s suggestion that she was talking about the UK offering the US just verbal support.
Badenoch says talking about an increase is not the same as giving an increase. The defence investment plan was meant to be published last autumn. “What’s the hold up?”
Starmer says he has set out his case. Badenoch called for the UK to jump into the war. He says Tory MPs shouted “shame” at him in the Commons when he declined to back the war.
He says Badenoch made the mother of all U-turns.
Lindsay Hoyle intervenes, saying it is prime minister’s questions.
Badenoch asks why the defence investment plan cannot be published before the end of this session of parliaement.
Starmer says defence spending is at a record level. Defence spending went down from 2.5% to 2.1% under the Tories. Minesweepers and destroyers were cut, he says.
Starmer says he does not agree with criticism of his defence record made by George Robertson
Kemi Badenoch asks why Lord Robertson had “corrosive complacency” on defence.
Starmer says he respects Robertson. But he does not agree with him on this. He has committed twice to raising defence spending, including by cutting aid, a difficult decision.
The defence investment plan will be published as soon as possible, he says.
Lauren Edwards (Lab) says the PM was right not to take the UK into the war against Iran. She asks what he is doing to support the armed forces, and to prepare for all eventualities.
Starmer says the government is investing in the armed forces, improving their homes, and improving recruitment. But the most important decisions are those about going to war, he says.
Keir Starmer starts by saying he will keep his promise to deliver a Hillsborough law.
Balancing UK’s welfare and defence spending ‘not zero-sum game’, minister says
James Murray, chief secretary to the Treasury, has said balancing welfare and defence spending “is not a zero-sum game”, amid stark warnings that the UK will have to increase its military budget to ensure national security during global volatility. Pippa Crerar has the story.
