UK politics - live: Rayner and Dowden clash at fiery PMQs as Sunak branded a ‘pint-sized loser’
Labour’s deputy leader uses session to tackle the government on its housing record, accusing ministers of delaying justice on no-fault evictions
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Angela Rayner branded Rishi Sunak a “pint-sized loser” during a fiery session of Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
Labour’s deputy leader used the session to tackle the government on its housing record, accusing ministers of delaying justice on no-fault evictions in the rented sector.
She also accused Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, of having “stabbed” the Tories’ “biggest election winner” Boris Johnson in the back in order to get his “mate into No 10”.
“Has he finally realised that when he stabbed Boris Johnson in the back to get his mate into No 10 he was ditching their biggest election winner for a pint-sized loser?” she told MPs in the Commons, following reports that Mr Dowden was among senior Tories call for a summer election.
Elsewhere, the prime minister is on a visit to Germany. He held a joint press conference with chancellor Olfa Scholz, where he praised Germany for increasing defence spending.
She might claim Commons as her main residence - Dowden
Dowden replies saying it is a pleasure to have another exchange with Rayner.
He notes it is one of several between the two deputies and jokes that if there are any more she might claim the Commons chamber as her residence.
On the issue of no fault evictions, he adds, MPs will be voting on the matter later today and insists the government is taking action.
Rayner uses first question to tackle Dowden on housing
Rayner uses her first question to tackle Dowden on the government’s housing record.
She says that Natalie from Brighton has been served with two no fault eviction notices in 18 months.
Rayner asks Dowden when the Tories will start tackling the issue instead of focusing on her living arrangements.
PMQs is now under way.
Stay tuned for live updates as Angela Rayner faces Oliver Dowden.
PMQs kicks off shortly
PMQs will kick off shortly - we’ll bring you all the action as it happens.
You can also watch the exchanges live on our YouTube channel (below)
Angela Rayner faces Oliver Dowden in a crunch battle of the deputies.
Watch live: Rayner and Dowden step in for Sunak and Starmer during PMQs
Watch live as deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden clashes with Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 24 April.
Watch: Civil service cuts will pay for £75bn in defence, says Grant Shapps
402 people detected trying to cross Channel on Tuesday - Home Office
Some 402 people were detected crossing the English Channel on Tuesday, according to provisional figures from the Home Office.
The cumulative number of arrivals by small boats in 2024 now stands at a provisional total of 6,667.
This is 20 per cent higher than the total at the equivalent point last year, which was 5,546, but slightly lower (down 0.4 per cent) than the total at this stage in 2022, which was 6,691.
Some seven boats were detected on Tuesday, which suggests an average of around 57 people per boat.
There were 29,437 arrivals across the whole of 2023, down 36 per cent on a record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.
Labour declines to match 2.5% defence spending by 2030
Labour has declined to put a date on defence spending reaching 2.5 per cent of GDP.
Emily Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, said her party would boost spending “as and when we can” if it won the next election.
It comes after PM Rishi Sunak pledged to meet the target by 2030.
Ms Thornberry told Sky News Labour would increase spending when the “circumstances allow”.
“We want to move towards 2.5 per cent – it was 2.5 per cent when we were last in power - we’re not going to say we’re going to do it by 2030,” she added.
Watch: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arrives in court
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson faces 11 historical sex charges in court including rape
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has appeared in court to face historical sex charges, including one count of rape.
The former DUP leader’s wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson also appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court to face charges in relation to the same police investigation.
Full report:
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson faces 11 sex charges in court including rape
The 61-year-old politician was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March
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