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Live text: PM's questions Live text: PM's questions
(10 minutes later)
By Justin Parkinson 1240 Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling says people do not want the opposition to "pull its punches where criticism of the government is due". By Justin Parkinson 1243: class="inlineText" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5533">Have Your Say "It would be nice to see written questions submitted to the PM which would then be answered essay-style with references to statistics and solid evidence" Will, Spain
1240 Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling says people do not want the opposition to "pull its punches where criticism of the government is due".
1238 Health Minister Ben Bradshaw criticises Mr Cameron for adopting a "Punch and Judy" approach to questioning, which, he adds on Daily Politics, will alienate people.1238 Health Minister Ben Bradshaw criticises Mr Cameron for adopting a "Punch and Judy" approach to questioning, which, he adds on Daily Politics, will alienate people.
1234 BBC political editor Nick Robinson says Mr Brown looked more comfortable than on some recent occasions and that Mr Cameron also seemed confident. He adds that the PM is trying to redirect the Osborne story by mentioning a possible investigation by the relevant authorities.1234 BBC political editor Nick Robinson says Mr Brown looked more comfortable than on some recent occasions and that Mr Cameron also seemed confident. He adds that the PM is trying to redirect the Osborne story by mentioning a possible investigation by the relevant authorities.
1225: Have Your Say "Gordon Brown should be asked what plans he has to counteract the catastrophic overnight fall in the pound against the dollar"Andrew Wilson1225: Have Your Say "Gordon Brown should be asked what plans he has to counteract the catastrophic overnight fall in the pound against the dollar"Andrew Wilson
1232 The session - a more boisterous one than in recent weeks - has ended.1232 The session - a more boisterous one than in recent weeks - has ended.
1230 Labour veteran Dennis Skinner causes laughter and uproaor, by asking that the government, no matter how great its difficulties, will ever meet a Russian billionaire to help things. Mr Brown replies that it is a "serious matter" and "I hope the authorities investigate it".1230 Labour veteran Dennis Skinner causes laughter and uproaor, by asking that the government, no matter how great its difficulties, will ever meet a Russian billionaire to help things. Mr Brown replies that it is a "serious matter" and "I hope the authorities investigate it".
1229 Lib Dem Adrian Saunders says water rates in the south east of England need action. The PM says the South West has enjoyed better services under Labour.1229 Lib Dem Adrian Saunders says water rates in the south east of England need action. The PM says the South West has enjoyed better services under Labour.
1228 Mr Brown says more stops and searches are being carried out to tackle gun and knife crime, adding that the culture must change to make it "wholly unacceptable" to carry weapons.1228 Mr Brown says more stops and searches are being carried out to tackle gun and knife crime, adding that the culture must change to make it "wholly unacceptable" to carry weapons.
1211: TWITTER:"Will Brown finally admit that he has abolished boom and bust on day that Mervyn King tells us that we are entering the recession" Nigel Barlow, Manchester1211: TWITTER:"Will Brown finally admit that he has abolished boom and bust on day that Mervyn King tells us that we are entering the recession" Nigel Barlow, Manchester
1224: Have Your Say"I hope MPs will address serious questions on minimising the effect of the economic slowdown and how to get public confidence back in the economy" Simon, London1224: Have Your Say"I hope MPs will address serious questions on minimising the effect of the economic slowdown and how to get public confidence back in the economy" Simon, London
1224 Mr Brown announces the 100th hospital to open under the government's modernisation scheme.1224 Mr Brown announces the 100th hospital to open under the government's modernisation scheme.
1223 Lib Dem Andrew George asks Mr Brown to ensure working families receive some support, as the government "bills and spends". Mr Brown says housing supply in the social sector is increasing.1223 Lib Dem Andrew George asks Mr Brown to ensure working families receive some support, as the government "bills and spends". Mr Brown says housing supply in the social sector is increasing.
1221 Tory John Whittingdale asks whether the government will consider reinstating empty property relief. The PM says it will look at all options to help people.1221 Tory John Whittingdale asks whether the government will consider reinstating empty property relief. The PM says it will look at all options to help people.
1220 Fuel again. Mr Brown says lower-income households are benefitting from government help.1220 Fuel again. Mr Brown says lower-income households are benefitting from government help.
1218 Another joke - this time at George Osborne's expense. Mr Clegg says the government is "all at sea", but not on a luxury yacht. Mr Clegg asks again about help with fuel bills. Mr Brown retorts that Mr Clegg has committed his own party to £20bn of public spending cuts.1218 Another joke - this time at George Osborne's expense. Mr Clegg says the government is "all at sea", but not on a luxury yacht. Mr Clegg asks again about help with fuel bills. Mr Brown retorts that Mr Clegg has committed his own party to £20bn of public spending cuts.
1217 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg asks what will be done for pensioners facing hardships this winter, as well as helping out banks. Mr Brown jokes that the pension is "more than £30 a week" - a reference to a recent gaffe by Mr Clegg. He adds that measures are helping people and asks for all-party support.1217 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg asks what will be done for pensioners facing hardships this winter, as well as helping out banks. Mr Brown jokes that the pension is "more than £30 a week" - a reference to a recent gaffe by Mr Clegg. He adds that measures are helping people and asks for all-party support.
1215 Labour's Angela Smith asks the PM about "outrageous" fuel and energy prices. He says the government has taken action and expects people to get the benefit of lower wholesale costs.1215 Labour's Angela Smith asks the PM about "outrageous" fuel and energy prices. He says the government has taken action and expects people to get the benefit of lower wholesale costs.
1214 Amid shouting from the backbenches, Mr Brown says the Tories have taken the "wrong judgement" on several occasions. Mr Cameron is back up, saying to ordinary people "this is a bust". Mr Brown retorts that the Conservatives have no policy ideas.1214 Amid shouting from the backbenches, Mr Brown says the Tories have taken the "wrong judgement" on several occasions. Mr Cameron is back up, saying to ordinary people "this is a bust". Mr Brown retorts that the Conservatives have no policy ideas.
1211 Mr Cameron tells Mr Brown to admit he did not abolish boom and bust. The atmosphere in the chamber is lively. Mr Brown says the problems are a result of global causes. He says the Conservatives are a "million miles away from the solution".1211 Mr Cameron tells Mr Brown to admit he did not abolish boom and bust. The atmosphere in the chamber is lively. Mr Brown says the problems are a result of global causes. He says the Conservatives are a "million miles away from the solution".
1210 Mr Cameron says the PM should admit he has not abolished boom and bust. Mr Brown says Mr Cameron needs to "look again" at what is happening to the global economy to reach a "better solution" and says opposition leaders must not talk down the economy.1210 Mr Cameron says the PM should admit he has not abolished boom and bust. Mr Brown says Mr Cameron needs to "look again" at what is happening to the global economy to reach a "better solution" and says opposition leaders must not talk down the economy.
1208 Mr Brown says the UK has the ability to borrow through difficult times and urges cross-party support for "difficult decisions", accusing Mr Cameron of changing his mind.1206 The speaker urges former minister Don Touhig to behave himself.1208 Mr Brown says the UK has the ability to borrow through difficult times and urges cross-party support for "difficult decisions", accusing Mr Cameron of changing his mind.1206 The speaker urges former minister Don Touhig to behave himself.
1204 Mr Cameron leads off on the economy, criticising the size of public borrowing. He calls on the PM to admit he "got it wrong".1204 Mr Cameron leads off on the economy, criticising the size of public borrowing. He calls on the PM to admit he "got it wrong".
1201 It has started. The PM calls the Taleban's killing of an aid worker in Afghanistan "barbaric".1201 It has started. The PM calls the Taleban's killing of an aid worker in Afghanistan "barbaric".
1200 Gordon Brown is in the chamber, reading through his notes.1200 Gordon Brown is in the chamber, reading through his notes.
1200 BBC political editor Nick Robinson says David Cameron will try to talk about the economy but adds that Mr Brown might add a "little dig" about Mr Osborne.1200 BBC political editor Nick Robinson says David Cameron will try to talk about the economy but adds that Mr Brown might add a "little dig" about Mr Osborne.
1157 As Wales Questions move towards an end, excitement about the big event is building. Alistair Darling has arrived.1157 As Wales Questions move towards an end, excitement about the big event is building. Alistair Darling has arrived.
1154 A few minutes to go now and the House of Commons is almost full. Cabinet members Geoff Hoon and Alan Johnson are in.1154 A few minutes to go now and the House of Commons is almost full. Cabinet members Geoff Hoon and Alan Johnson are in.
1147 Columnist Peter Hitchens tells Daily Politics that George Osborne is an "unimpressive" politician. Mr Grayling responds by criticising Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.1147 Columnist Peter Hitchens tells Daily Politics that George Osborne is an "unimpressive" politician. Mr Grayling responds by criticising Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
1141 Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling tells Daily Politics says the government has "plenty of time" to schedule a debate on abortion if it wants to. Mr Brown may be asked about that.1141 Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling tells Daily Politics says the government has "plenty of time" to schedule a debate on abortion if it wants to. Mr Brown may be asked about that.
1139 Meanwhile, Wales Questions are under way and the chamber is about a quarter full. The MPs usually start filing in in earnest about 10 to 15 minutes before PMQs.1139 Meanwhile, Wales Questions are under way and the chamber is about a quarter full. The MPs usually start filing in in earnest about 10 to 15 minutes before PMQs.
1135 Health Minister Ben Bradshaw tells BBC Two's Daily Politics there are forecasts on the economy which are less harsh than that given by Mr King, adding that the government will do its utmost to reduce the effects. Might Mr Brown take the same line?1135 Health Minister Ben Bradshaw tells BBC Two's Daily Politics there are forecasts on the economy which are less harsh than that given by Mr King, adding that the government will do its utmost to reduce the effects. Might Mr Brown take the same line?
1132 Just half an hour to go now. This has to be one of the most unpredictable PMQs for some time, but perhaps Bank of England chairman Mervyn King's unhappy prognosis for the economy will force the hands of David Cameron and Nick Clegg.1132 Just half an hour to go now. This has to be one of the most unpredictable PMQs for some time, but perhaps Bank of England chairman Mervyn King's unhappy prognosis for the economy will force the hands of David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
1127 Other subjects which might, just might, possibly warrant a question are today's select committee report criticising the provision of public toilets by councils and the exiled residents of the Chagos Islands, who have had the right to return to their Indian Ocean homeland overturned by the House of Lords.1127 Other subjects which might, just might, possibly warrant a question are today's select committee report criticising the provision of public toilets by councils and the exiled residents of the Chagos Islands, who have had the right to return to their Indian Ocean homeland overturned by the House of Lords.
1118 As usual on a Wednesday, PMQs is the second item on the House of Commons agenda. This time it is preceded by questions to Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy.1118 As usual on a Wednesday, PMQs is the second item on the House of Commons agenda. This time it is preceded by questions to Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy.
1111 There has been a lack of what might be termed "Punch and Judy politics" during PMQs since MPs returned from the summer recess and this session does not look like it will be any less sombre. Issues including the government's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, particularly the issue of abortion, and the international financial situation could be mentioned. Whether shadow chancellor George Osborne's problems will warrant a question is debatable. If they are brought up, it will most likely be by a backbencher.1111 There has been a lack of what might be termed "Punch and Judy politics" during PMQs since MPs returned from the summer recess and this session does not look like it will be any less sombre. Issues including the government's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, particularly the issue of abortion, and the international financial situation could be mentioned. Whether shadow chancellor George Osborne's problems will warrant a question is debatable. If they are brought up, it will most likely be by a backbencher.
1107 Hello and welcome to our live text coverage of prime minister's questions from the House of Commons. Gordon Brown returns - after missing last week's session to attend a European summit - to be grilled by Conservative leader David Cameron, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and various backbenchers. Those selected by ballot to quiz the PM include Conservative John Whittingdale, Labour's Fabian Hamilton and Lib Dem Andrew George. There will be commentary from my colleague Carole Walker and you can take part by sending in your texts, emails and other messages.1107 Hello and welcome to our live text coverage of prime minister's questions from the House of Commons. Gordon Brown returns - after missing last week's session to attend a European summit - to be grilled by Conservative leader David Cameron, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and various backbenchers. Those selected by ballot to quiz the PM include Conservative John Whittingdale, Labour's Fabian Hamilton and Lib Dem Andrew George. There will be commentary from my colleague Carole Walker and you can take part by sending in your texts, emails and other messages.