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| The full story: PM's questions | The full story: PM's questions |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Prime minister's questions | |
| ANALYSIS BY JO COBURN | ANALYSIS BY JO COBURN |
| With Gordon Brown in Brussels for another EU meeting, Harriet Harman got her third turn in the chair at prime minister's questions. | With Gordon Brown in Brussels for another EU meeting, Harriet Harman got her third turn in the chair at prime minister's questions. |
| The session began with one Labour backbencher joking that the deputy Labour leader was sitting in "Superman's seat" - such is the prime minister's stock these days. | The session began with one Labour backbencher joking that the deputy Labour leader was sitting in "Superman's seat" - such is the prime minister's stock these days. |
| Opposite her for the Conservatives was William Hague. The topic of the day was, as the Americans say, a no brainer - the economy, stupid. | Opposite her for the Conservatives was William Hague. The topic of the day was, as the Americans say, a no brainer - the economy, stupid. |
| There was little trace of the cosy bi-partisanship espoused by the Tory leader David Cameron just a few weeks ago. | There was little trace of the cosy bi-partisanship espoused by the Tory leader David Cameron just a few weeks ago. |
| William Hague got straight down to business, pressing Ms Harman about the impact of the banking crisis on the real economy. | William Hague got straight down to business, pressing Ms Harman about the impact of the banking crisis on the real economy. |
| Jobs, pensioners, small businesses - they were going to suffer and what was the government doing about it? | Jobs, pensioners, small businesses - they were going to suffer and what was the government doing about it? |
| The deputy leader's response was concern and a warning to the right honourable gentleman not to write off the British economy. | The deputy leader's response was concern and a warning to the right honourable gentleman not to write off the British economy. |
| It was all a little turgid as neither side managed to score any clear points. | It was all a little turgid as neither side managed to score any clear points. |
| But then William Hague landed a blow with his claim that "the government can no longer boast about their record". | But then William Hague landed a blow with his claim that "the government can no longer boast about their record". |
| He thundered on, saying Gordon Brown's claim to have abolished boom and bust was one of the "most hubristic and foolish" claims to have been made by a prime minister. | He thundered on, saying Gordon Brown's claim to have abolished boom and bust was one of the "most hubristic and foolish" claims to have been made by a prime minister. |
| Harriet Harman's response was less than convincing. By stating that "this was a serious moment for the economy" she was hardly telling us anything we had not noticed ourselves. | Harriet Harman's response was less than convincing. By stating that "this was a serious moment for the economy" she was hardly telling us anything we had not noticed ourselves. |
| Then it was Vincent Cable's turn. He has already earned a reputation as the Liberal Democrats' economic guru and has been pushing hard for a deeper cut in interest rates. | Then it was Vincent Cable's turn. He has already earned a reputation as the Liberal Democrats' economic guru and has been pushing hard for a deeper cut in interest rates. |
| The complexities of economics are baffling enough for most of us and maybe Ms Harman was just being honest when she said: "I don't really understand what he's talking about on interest rates". | The complexities of economics are baffling enough for most of us and maybe Ms Harman was just being honest when she said: "I don't really understand what he's talking about on interest rates". |
| But it turned out she was baffled by his comments in the light of the big rate cut announced last week. | But it turned out she was baffled by his comments in the light of the big rate cut announced last week. |
| It was fitting that a session dominated by the economy should end its leaders' exchanges on such a note. | It was fitting that a session dominated by the economy should end its leaders' exchanges on such a note. |
| AS IT HAPPENED, BY JUSTIN PARKINSON | AS IT HAPPENED, BY JUSTIN PARKINSON |
| 1308 OK, that's it for another sober session of economy-dominated questions. Please join us again next Wednesday. | 1308 OK, that's it for another sober session of economy-dominated questions. Please join us again next Wednesday. |
| 1259 Conservative David Willetts says Mr Brown must "learn the lessons of what went wrong" with the economy. | 1259 Conservative David Willetts says Mr Brown must "learn the lessons of what went wrong" with the economy. |
| 1257 On Daily Politics, former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan praises Gordon Brown for dealing with the "nitty gritty" of the problems the country faces. | 1257 On Daily Politics, former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan praises Gordon Brown for dealing with the "nitty gritty" of the problems the country faces. |
| 1238 Employment Minister Tony McNulty says the public "will understand fully" the need for more public borrowing. He adds, on Daily Politics, that Mr Hague was "fine" and that Ms Harman was "very good" at the despatch box. | 1238 Employment Minister Tony McNulty says the public "will understand fully" the need for more public borrowing. He adds, on Daily Politics, that Mr Hague was "fine" and that Ms Harman was "very good" at the despatch box. |
| 1233 BBC political editor Nick Robinson says William Hague was trying to avoid seeming too "knockabout" in the midst of economic turbulence and that this put him in a difficult position. | 1233 BBC political editor Nick Robinson says William Hague was trying to avoid seeming too "knockabout" in the midst of economic turbulence and that this put him in a difficult position. |
| 1231 The government remains "absolutely committed" to ending child poverty, Ms Harman says. And that ends the session. | 1231 The government remains "absolutely committed" to ending child poverty, Ms Harman says. And that ends the session. |
| 1231 Stability and peace in Iraq must be pursued, Ms Harman tells MPs. | 1231 Stability and peace in Iraq must be pursued, Ms Harman tells MPs. |
| 1230 Ms Harman says the burden on British business must be eased, with more investment in renewable energy to help bring down prices. | 1230 Ms Harman says the burden on British business must be eased, with more investment in renewable energy to help bring down prices. |
| 1228 Labour's Clive Efford asks whether the money invested in banks will have an impact on public services. Ms Harman says she can give an assurance that services will not suffer. | 1228 Labour's Clive Efford asks whether the money invested in banks will have an impact on public services. Ms Harman says she can give an assurance that services will not suffer. |
| 1226 Tory Philip Davies says his constituents are suffering from the economic crisis and the government should do more to help. | 1226 Tory Philip Davies says his constituents are suffering from the economic crisis and the government should do more to help. |
| 1224 Labour's Bill Olner asks about the UK's space industry. Ms Harman says she wishes it success and hopes an upcoming summit will "boldy go where no summit has gone before". | 1224 Labour's Bill Olner asks about the UK's space industry. Ms Harman says she wishes it success and hopes an upcoming summit will "boldy go where no summit has gone before". |
| 1223 Ms Harman praises the government for setting up the Financial Services Authority. | 1223 Ms Harman praises the government for setting up the Financial Services Authority. |
| 1222 Ms Harman says energy companies must take action over increasing fuel bills, with the falling price of oil feeding through to consumers. | 1222 Ms Harman says energy companies must take action over increasing fuel bills, with the falling price of oil feeding through to consumers. |
| 1220 Mr Cable says Ms Harman does not understand that there is a "very real emergency" in the ecomony. She rejects the comment. There are laughs when Ms Harman says she does not "really know what he is talking about when he mentions interest rates". | 1220 Mr Cable says Ms Harman does not understand that there is a "very real emergency" in the ecomony. She rejects the comment. There are laughs when Ms Harman says she does not "really know what he is talking about when he mentions interest rates". |
| 1217 Vince Cable, for the Lib Dems, says the government cannot deal with unemployment when it is cutting jobs itself and that ordinary people deserve the same effective services that banks have enjoyed. Ms Harman says services for unemployed people are improving. | 1217 Vince Cable, for the Lib Dems, says the government cannot deal with unemployment when it is cutting jobs itself and that ordinary people deserve the same effective services that banks have enjoyed. Ms Harman says services for unemployed people are improving. |
| 1214 Mr Hague says the government is "no longer in a position to boast about the economic record" of the last 11 years. He says Gordon Brown's claim to have abolished boom and bust was "irresponsible" and "foolish". Ms Harman says the PM will take action to protect the UK economy and help stabilise the global situation. | 1214 Mr Hague says the government is "no longer in a position to boast about the economic record" of the last 11 years. He says Gordon Brown's claim to have abolished boom and bust was "irresponsible" and "foolish". Ms Harman says the PM will take action to protect the UK economy and help stabilise the global situation. |
| 1213 Ms Harman says the government has increased investment in schools and hospitals, while paying off public debt. | 1213 Ms Harman says the government has increased investment in schools and hospitals, while paying off public debt. |
| 1210 Some personal remarks. To cheers from the Labour benches, Ms Harman says Mr Hague is in no position be offering economic advice. | 1210 Some personal remarks. To cheers from the Labour benches, Ms Harman says Mr Hague is in no position be offering economic advice. |
| 1208 Mr Hague urges immediate action to help pensioners. Ms Harman says winter fuel payments have increased and that stabilising the markets would help share values, helping pensioners. | 1208 Mr Hague urges immediate action to help pensioners. Ms Harman says winter fuel payments have increased and that stabilising the markets would help share values, helping pensioners. |
| 1207 Ms Harman says the government is not complacent about the ecomomy but says the Tories should not be pessimistic about the UK's outlook. | 1207 Ms Harman says the government is not complacent about the ecomomy but says the Tories should not be pessimistic about the UK's outlook. |
| 1206 The mood in the chamber is sombre. Mr Hague says unemployment is expected to rise to three million by 2010. | 1206 The mood in the chamber is sombre. Mr Hague says unemployment is expected to rise to three million by 2010. |
| 1205 For the Tories, William Hague says the latest unemployment figures make it a "grim day" for the UK. Ms Harman says the government is very concerned over the issue. | 1205 For the Tories, William Hague says the latest unemployment figures make it a "grim day" for the UK. Ms Harman says the government is very concerned over the issue. |
| 1204 Ms Harman says the government is backing small businesses with its banking package. | 1204 Ms Harman says the government is backing small businesses with its banking package. |
| 1202 It's beginning. Harriet Harman is listing the prime minister's engagements. Labour's Ronald Campbell jokes that she is in "Superman's seat". | 1202 It's beginning. Harriet Harman is listing the prime minister's engagements. Labour's Ronald Campbell jokes that she is in "Superman's seat". |
| 1159 BBC political editor Nick Robinson asks whether the main protagonists will make party political points, despite the economic crisis. | 1159 BBC political editor Nick Robinson asks whether the main protagonists will make party political points, despite the economic crisis. |
| 1158 Harriet Harman has arrived. | 1158 Harriet Harman has arrived. |
| 1156 Several cabinet ministers have arrived in the chamber, including Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Chancellor Alistair Darling. | 1156 Several cabinet ministers have arrived in the chamber, including Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Chancellor Alistair Darling. |
| 1152 The chamber is more than half full now, with just a few minutes to go. | 1152 The chamber is more than half full now, with just a few minutes to go. |
| 1150 Employment Minister Tony McNulty tells Daily Politics says he is happy in his job, despite figures showing rising unemployment. | 1150 Employment Minister Tony McNulty tells Daily Politics says he is happy in his job, despite figures showing rising unemployment. |
| 1147 The Commons chamber is filling up a little as Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward answers questions. | 1147 The Commons chamber is filling up a little as Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward answers questions. |
| 1142 Shadow universities secretary David Willetts tells Daily Politics that the prime minister should have acted "even quicker" to deal with banking problems. | 1142 Shadow universities secretary David Willetts tells Daily Politics that the prime minister should have acted "even quicker" to deal with banking problems. |
| 1139 BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell says there are fears in Brussels that the efforts to deal with the economic crisis could take the spotlight off environmental policy. | 1139 BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell says there are fears in Brussels that the efforts to deal with the economic crisis could take the spotlight off environmental policy. |
| 1135 Employment Minister Tony McNulty tells BBC Two's The Daily Politics says he knows "deep in my bones" that the government will still need longer pre-charge terror detentions at some stage. Perhaps Ms Harman might take the same approach in the Commons. | 1135 Employment Minister Tony McNulty tells BBC Two's The Daily Politics says he knows "deep in my bones" that the government will still need longer pre-charge terror detentions at some stage. Perhaps Ms Harman might take the same approach in the Commons. |
| 1126 As Ms Harman, Mr Hague and Mr Cable make their final preparations, it's almost time for Northern Ireland questions. | 1126 As Ms Harman, Mr Hague and Mr Cable make their final preparations, it's almost time for Northern Ireland questions. |
| 1120 As well as the economy, there could be some mention of the government's defeat in the Lords on Monday over plans to extend pre-charge terror detentions to a maximum of 42 days, and the sharp rise in unemployment, announced earlier on Wednesday. | 1120 As well as the economy, there could be some mention of the government's defeat in the Lords on Monday over plans to extend pre-charge terror detentions to a maximum of 42 days, and the sharp rise in unemployment, announced earlier on Wednesday. |
| 1112 According to the House of Commons' Order of Business, MP Ronnie Campbell will ask the first question. Others who look set to be called include Tory Crispin Blunt and Jim Devine. | 1112 According to the House of Commons' Order of Business, MP Ronnie Campbell will ask the first question. Others who look set to be called include Tory Crispin Blunt and Jim Devine. |
| 1104 Expect economic issues to dominate PMQs again, following the government's announcement of a £37bn package to help the banks earlier this week. But with William Hague and Vince Cable around, perhaps there will be a couple of jokes, or at least some moments of levity during what is a very serious time. Mr Hague and Ms Harman have a history of sparkiness whenever they have come up against each other across the despatch box. | 1104 Expect economic issues to dominate PMQs again, following the government's announcement of a £37bn package to help the banks earlier this week. But with William Hague and Vince Cable around, perhaps there will be a couple of jokes, or at least some moments of levity during what is a very serious time. Mr Hague and Ms Harman have a history of sparkiness whenever they have come up against each other across the despatch box. |
| 1101 Hello and welcome to our live text coverage of this week's prime minister's questions. Gordon Brown is in Brussels for a meeting of European leaders, so Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman takes his place. Shadow foreign secretary William Hague deputises for David Cameron for the Conservatives, while Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable fills in for Nick Clegg. | 1101 Hello and welcome to our live text coverage of this week's prime minister's questions. Gordon Brown is in Brussels for a meeting of European leaders, so Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman takes his place. Shadow foreign secretary William Hague deputises for David Cameron for the Conservatives, while Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable fills in for Nick Clegg. |
| YOUR VIEWS | YOUR VIEWS |
| "As well as de-regulation of banks, there was huge de-regulation of pensions. Millions of pensions and pensioners futures are now under serious threat - how can the UK allow over 10,000+ pensioners to die per year from cold? " Osmund, UK | "As well as de-regulation of banks, there was huge de-regulation of pensions. Millions of pensions and pensioners futures are now under serious threat - how can the UK allow over 10,000+ pensioners to die per year from cold? " Osmund, UK |
| "Hague is hardly the person to criticise anyone for their economic predictions. He was the man who fought an entire election campaign telling us all that "euro was a weak currency" Billy, London, UK | "Hague is hardly the person to criticise anyone for their economic predictions. He was the man who fought an entire election campaign telling us all that "euro was a weak currency" Billy, London, UK |
| "For once, the opposition benches shouldn't ask any questions. Although Brown and Darling acquitted themselves well, the rest of the cabinet and most Labour MPs haven't a clue about the financial crisis." "Arch Optimist", UK | "For once, the opposition benches shouldn't ask any questions. Although Brown and Darling acquitted themselves well, the rest of the cabinet and most Labour MPs haven't a clue about the financial crisis." "Arch Optimist", UK |
| "Government works quick to bail out banks but is always slow to help the individual eg - unemployed, elderly, carers, ghurkhas, etc. But look after their own like Mandleson" Vincent, Kent | "Government works quick to bail out banks but is always slow to help the individual eg - unemployed, elderly, carers, ghurkhas, etc. But look after their own like Mandleson" Vincent, Kent |
| "I don't expect Harman to tell us why we spend public money on failed financial institutions, but hardly anything on public services" Lew, London, UK | "I don't expect Harman to tell us why we spend public money on failed financial institutions, but hardly anything on public services" Lew, London, UK |
| "You can hear the sound of useless New Labour waffle (not answering the question) coupled with the delightful sight of the smug, grinning front bench." David, Leeds | "You can hear the sound of useless New Labour waffle (not answering the question) coupled with the delightful sight of the smug, grinning front bench." David, Leeds |
| "If I were an MP I'd want to know exactly what measures are going to be taken against the financial experts who got us into this mess" Boar, London, UK | "If I were an MP I'd want to know exactly what measures are going to be taken against the financial experts who got us into this mess" Boar, London, UK |