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LIVE: Prime minister's questions LIVE: Prime minister's questions
(11 minutes later)
By Justin ParkinsonBy Justin Parkinson
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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.
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.
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".
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.