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| Live: Prime minister's questions | Live: Prime minister's questions |
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| Prime minister's questions (UK only) | Prime minister's questions (UK only) |
| By Justin Parkinson | By Justin Parkinson |
| 1217 Labour supporter Hopi Sen is blogging during PMQs: Cameron going on VAT. Nice soundbites, but very lightweight in content. An easy Gordon win so far. Read more on Hopi's blog | |
| 1215 Labour MP and Treasury select committee chairman John McFall urges the government to get banks to resume lending. Mr Brown says overdraft rates must not be raised and that the government's action on the economy was "the right thing to do". | |
| 1214 Mr Cameron says the PBR is not a response to the economic crisis but a consequence of Mr Brown's handling of the economy and a politically motivated document. The PM reiterates his view that the Conservatives would give no help, adding they have "abandoned compassion", calling them a "do nothing" party. | |
| 1212 Mr Cameron asks whether the 58% figure for the national debt as a proportion of GDP is the same as under Labour in the 1970s. Mr Brown says he is sick of having to deliver "an economic lecture every week" to Mr Cameron. | |
| 1210 Mr Cameron says there is "absolutely nothing stimulating" in the government's pre-Budget report. He repeats the question about doubling the national debt. Mr Brown says it will reach 58% of GDP. He argues the government is giving "real help" to the economy. | |
| 1208 The Tory leader asks whether Mr Brown's plans will double the national debt. Mr Brown says national debt will still be lower than that of the UK's competitors. Conservative policy would "do nothing", he adds. | 1208 The Tory leader asks whether Mr Brown's plans will double the national debt. Mr Brown says national debt will still be lower than that of the UK's competitors. Conservative policy would "do nothing", he adds. |
| 1208 Mr Cameron says the minister, Stephen Timms, had signed off an agreement to raise VAT and that Labour is planning a tax "bombshell". He asks whether there were plans to raise VAT higher than 18.5%. Mr Brown says the government has cut VAT to 15% and said the Tories are a "do nothing" party. | 1208 Mr Cameron says the minister, Stephen Timms, had signed off an agreement to raise VAT and that Labour is planning a tax "bombshell". He asks whether there were plans to raise VAT higher than 18.5%. Mr Brown says the government has cut VAT to 15% and said the Tories are a "do nothing" party. |
| 1205 Conservative leader David Cameron asks whether, if the government does not have a secret plan to increase VAT, a Treasury minister put his signature to it. Mr Brown said the government had looked at all options but had learned from mistakes made when the Tories had increased VAT, hitting families. | 1205 Conservative leader David Cameron asks whether, if the government does not have a secret plan to increase VAT, a Treasury minister put his signature to it. Mr Brown said the government had looked at all options but had learned from mistakes made when the Tories had increased VAT, hitting families. |
| 1204 Tory MP Douglas Carswell is number 9 on the list of MPs to ask the Prime Minister a question this morning and has asked readers of his blog for some help with what to ask. One reader says he should ask the PM to hold an election now on the stimulus plan Read more on Douglas's blog | 1204 Tory MP Douglas Carswell is number 9 on the list of MPs to ask the Prime Minister a question this morning and has asked readers of his blog for some help with what to ask. One reader says he should ask the PM to hold an election now on the stimulus plan Read more on Douglas's blog |
| 1203 Veteran Tory Sir Peter Tapsell asks the PM to apologise for wrecking the British economy. Expect more of this later from the Conservatives. Mr Brown makes a joke, implying that Sir Peter is inconsistent in his economic opinions. | 1203 Veteran Tory Sir Peter Tapsell asks the PM to apologise for wrecking the British economy. Expect more of this later from the Conservatives. Mr Brown makes a joke, implying that Sir Peter is inconsistent in his economic opinions. |
| 1201 The prime minister sends his sympathies to the family of a Marine killed in Afghanistan. | 1201 The prime minister sends his sympathies to the family of a Marine killed in Afghanistan. |
| 1200 Gordon Brown is in the chamber - and the Speaker starts the session. | 1200 Gordon Brown is in the chamber - and the Speaker starts the session. |
| 1159 Almost time to start. BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells BBC Two's Daily Politics he expects the economy to dominate PMQs. He says the timing is a "Godsend" for the Tories, who will ask whether there has been a difference of opinion between the Treasury and 10 Downing Street. | 1159 Almost time to start. BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells BBC Two's Daily Politics he expects the economy to dominate PMQs. He says the timing is a "Godsend" for the Tories, who will ask whether there has been a difference of opinion between the Treasury and 10 Downing Street. |
| 1157 On a cold and dreary London day the MPs are huddling up in large numbers in the Commons, as we come towards the end of Wales Questions. Justice Secretary Jack Straw is already in. | 1157 On a cold and dreary London day the MPs are huddling up in large numbers in the Commons, as we come towards the end of Wales Questions. Justice Secretary Jack Straw is already in. |
| 1156 Other possible topics include "fit notes" - under which GPs would be able to say what tasks an ill worker is still able to do - and a think-tank's recent call for the cap on student tuition fee limits to be listed. There is of course the revelation that the government considered putting VAT up to as much as 20% after 2011. | 1156 Other possible topics include "fit notes" - under which GPs would be able to say what tasks an ill worker is still able to do - and a think-tank's recent call for the cap on student tuition fee limits to be listed. There is of course the revelation that the government considered putting VAT up to as much as 20% after 2011. |
| 1155 In a week, like so many others recently, where the economy has dominated the news, it is hard to see the party leaders going far beyond the PBR. Whether two days of detailed analysis of the document will sharpen up the debate is questionable. | 1155 In a week, like so many others recently, where the economy has dominated the news, it is hard to see the party leaders going far beyond the PBR. Whether two days of detailed analysis of the document will sharpen up the debate is questionable. |
| 1150 Hello and welcome to our weekly live text coverage of prime minister's questions from the House of Commons. It will be the first time Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg have gone head-to-head since Monday's pre-Budget report. Expect some fireworks. Mr Cameron is likely to accuse the prime minister of fiscal irresponsibility, with Mr Brown claiming the Tories are doing nothing to save the economy. You can send your comments via our Have Your Say debate | 1150 Hello and welcome to our weekly live text coverage of prime minister's questions from the House of Commons. It will be the first time Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg have gone head-to-head since Monday's pre-Budget report. Expect some fireworks. Mr Cameron is likely to accuse the prime minister of fiscal irresponsibility, with Mr Brown claiming the Tories are doing nothing to save the economy. You can send your comments via our Have Your Say debate |