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Live: Prime minister's questions Live: Prime minister's questions
(10 minutes later)
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Prime minister's questions (UK only)Prime minister's questions (UK only)
By Emma GriffithsBy Emma Griffiths
1219: Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg says he was recently visited by a single mother at his Sheffield constituency - but the Speaker has to call for order after laughter from Labour MPs. Mr Clegg says she was being chased for tax credits and was "terrified". He asks if this is the kind of help people need during a recession. Mr Brown says he will look at details of the case but tax credits had taken people out of poverty. Mr Clegg says the PM thinks he is "Atlas carrying the world on his shoulders" but is dragging low income families to court.
1218: Labour MP Alan Simpson says it is nice to have a PM who wants to save the world while the Tories can barely "save face".
1217: Mr Brown says the Tory leader has said he would "do nothing" to help people and says they will "say anything to disguise the fact they will do nothing" and says they are "not fit for government" as their clash comes to an end.
1217: Mr Cameron says Labour's scheme will affect few businesses. He says the PM has brought the country "to the brink of bankruptcy", to roars of approval from Tory MPs.
1216: Mr Cameron quotes the Guardian. After pointing out they get "government leaks without anyone being arrested" he says the paper suggests the Treasury may be adapting Tory plans for a national loan guarantee scheme. The PM says they have their own scheme, on top of various other schemes. "We are going to do more in the next few days because we want to do everything we can," says the PM. But he says that can only be done with a fiscal stimulus.
1214: The prime minister accuses the chairman of the public accounts committee - Edward Leigh - of "uncaring Conservatism" in comments about the VAT cut.
1214: "While he thinks he is saving the world we are talking about businesses in the real world," replies Mr Cameron. He says time and money is being wasted on a "pointless VAT cut" rather than fixing problems with lending to businesses.
1213: Mr Brown says taxpayers' money is being used rightly to help small businesses while the Tories would "do nothing" and let the recession take its course.
1212: Mr Cameron continues to focus on the Conservative's plans for a wider loan guarantee scheme. He says only 0.2% of businesses are covered by the current scheme. He quotes the Council of Mortgage Lenders as saying that government policy is "conflicting and incoherent". Mr Brown says the CML supports their repossessions policy, which the Tories don't. "I'm sorry to have to teach him what the economy is about," says Mr Brown.
1211: Mr Brown says measures taken already would not have been possible if the Tories' advice had been followed. "We are taking the measures that are necessary" says Mr Brown. He says the UK needs a "fiscal investment" - he says the Tories are "clinging to the failed policies of the 1980s".
1210: Mr Cameron enjoyed that Brown slip of the tongue. He says it is finally on the record - the PM is so busy saving the world he has forgotten about businesses and the country. He says the recapitalisation scheme is not working and says no other country has copied the details of Mr Brown's plan.1210: Mr Cameron enjoyed that Brown slip of the tongue. He says it is finally on the record - the PM is so busy saving the world he has forgotten about businesses and the country. He says the recapitalisation scheme is not working and says no other country has copied the details of Mr Brown's plan.
1208: Mr Brown waits until the laughter dies down and says not one depositor has lost any money in Britain. He says interest rates have come down and they are working to remove other "barriers" to lending with banks. He says the government has "led the world" in saving the banks.1208: Mr Brown waits until the laughter dies down and says not one depositor has lost any money in Britain. He says interest rates have come down and they are working to remove other "barriers" to lending with banks. He says the government has "led the world" in saving the banks.
1205: David Cameron starts by sending his condolences to the soldier's family. He asks how the government is going to get the banks to lend to businesses. He says Bank of England Governor Mervyn King has said recapitalisation should ensure the flow of lending returns to normal rates. Mr Cameron said on this basis the PM's plan has failed. In his reply Mr Brown says he has saved the banks, then raises laughter by accidentally saying he has "saved the world".1205: David Cameron starts by sending his condolences to the soldier's family. He asks how the government is going to get the banks to lend to businesses. He says Bank of England Governor Mervyn King has said recapitalisation should ensure the flow of lending returns to normal rates. Mr Cameron said on this basis the PM's plan has failed. In his reply Mr Brown says he has saved the banks, then raises laughter by accidentally saying he has "saved the world".
1204: Labour MP Alison Seabeck says businesses have welcomed government initiatives on the economy and asks Mr Brown for reassurances it will do everything it can to help them and homeowners. Mr Brown assures her they will and say Labour is leading the way on the economy, welfare reform and help for small businesses.1204: Labour MP Alison Seabeck says businesses have welcomed government initiatives on the economy and asks Mr Brown for reassurances it will do everything it can to help them and homeowners. Mr Brown assures her they will and say Labour is leading the way on the economy, welfare reform and help for small businesses.
1203: The prime minister starts by paying tribute to a British soldier killed in Iraq1203: The prime minister starts by paying tribute to a British soldier killed in Iraq
1202: BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells the Daily Politics he expects David Cameron will either ask questions about welfare reform and suggest they will go through with Tory support or try to highlight the divide between the two parties on the economy.1202: BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells the Daily Politics he expects David Cameron will either ask questions about welfare reform and suggest they will go through with Tory support or try to highlight the divide between the two parties on the economy.
1201: And we're off. Gordon Brown begins the session immediately after Scottish secretary Jim Murphy finishes the preceeding session by answering an SNP attack on plans for a British football team at the 2012 Olympics1201: And we're off. Gordon Brown begins the session immediately after Scottish secretary Jim Murphy finishes the preceeding session by answering an SNP attack on plans for a British football team at the 2012 Olympics
1158: Anne McGuire is speaking as Scotland questions approach their end in the Commons. The chamber is filling up. John Hutton is chatting with Alan Johnson. Alistair Darling is sitting in position ready to flank Brown when the session gets under way.1158: Anne McGuire is speaking as Scotland questions approach their end in the Commons. The chamber is filling up. John Hutton is chatting with Alan Johnson. Alistair Darling is sitting in position ready to flank Brown when the session gets under way.
1155: On housing, Europe minister Caroline Flint - a former housing minister - says banks should sign up to attempts to restrict repossessions. She says ministers will look at Northern Rock's high repossession rate and try to resolve it. Repossession should be a last resort, she says on Daily Politics.1155: On housing, Europe minister Caroline Flint - a former housing minister - says banks should sign up to attempts to restrict repossessions. She says ministers will look at Northern Rock's high repossession rate and try to resolve it. Repossession should be a last resort, she says on Daily Politics.
1152: Tory frontbencher Michael Gove tells the BBC's Daily Politics the Conservatives are likely to support the government's welfare reforms as they are very similar to their own plans. Labour backbencher Frank Field, a former welfare reform minister, says they should push to make the reform more radical and welfare should be "abolished as we know it".1152: Tory frontbencher Michael Gove tells the BBC's Daily Politics the Conservatives are likely to support the government's welfare reforms as they are very similar to their own plans. Labour backbencher Frank Field, a former welfare reform minister, says they should push to make the reform more radical and welfare should be "abolished as we know it".
1150: What subjects are likely to be raised today? The economy - and David Cameron's attack on Gordon Brown's planned "borrowing binge" - has to be one of the favourites. There may also be a mention of the benefit reforms which are set to be spelled out in detail in a statement to MPs immediately after PM's questions finishes.1150: What subjects are likely to be raised today? The economy - and David Cameron's attack on Gordon Brown's planned "borrowing binge" - has to be one of the favourites. There may also be a mention of the benefit reforms which are set to be spelled out in detail in a statement to MPs immediately after PM's questions finishes.
1141: Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. The half hour session begins at noon. You can watch live on this page, and read the key points as they happen. We'll be taking in the views of BBC experts and guests from television and radio programmes. And you can have your say too via our live Have Your Say debate1141: Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. The half hour session begins at noon. You can watch live on this page, and read the key points as they happen. We'll be taking in the views of BBC experts and guests from television and radio programmes. And you can have your say too via our live Have Your Say debate