This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7787638.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Live: Prime minister's questions Live: Prime minister's questions
(10 minutes later)
Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory.Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory.
Harman stands in for Brown at PMQs (UK only)Harman stands in for Brown at PMQs (UK only)
By Justin ParkinsonBy Justin Parkinson
1228 In response to a Tory question, Ms Harman says government debt has fallen. But it must now rise to enable action on the economy, she adds.
1228 Ms Harman says there has been no government policy change on open-cast mining.
1227 Ms Harman says that, from April, the right for parents to request flexible working will be extended to all those with children under the age of 16.
1226 Have Your Say "It's good to see that these people are taking the current economic mess seriously, as usual. With regards to the "end of term feel about Westminster" are they allowed to bring games in? These people run the country, god help us!" Nick Taylor, Liverpool, UK
1225 Tory Mark Pritchard says the government is not giving the armed forces enough protection in Iraq. Ms Harman says they will have the "full range" of equipment needed.
1225 Plaid Cymru's Elfyn Llwyd asks when the battle for hearts and minds in Afghanistan will be won. Ms Harman says development programmes in the country will be vital for this.
1223 Labour's Laura Moffatt attacks the attitude of the Tory council in her Crawley constituency towards free swimming.
1223 Tory Nigel Waterson asks about benefit calculations for pensioners. Ms Harman says the government's policies have most benefited this group wince 1997.
1222 The atmosphere in the chamber is subdued - these final sessions normally have a bit more of a demob happy mood.
1221 Mr Cable accuses ministers of being complacent in helping housing associations, while it gives much more aid to banks. Ms Harman says the action to help banks has been essential to helping stabilise the property market.
1219 Lib Dem deputy leader Vince Cable says the housing market is in a similar situation to when Labour was in power in 1924. An MP shouts out, to laughter, that Mr Cable remembers that time.1219 Lib Dem deputy leader Vince Cable says the housing market is in a similar situation to when Labour was in power in 1924. An MP shouts out, to laughter, that Mr Cable remembers that time.
1218 In response to another question Ms Harman says she will recommend the prime minister attends an exhibition in Parliament on the suffragette movement.1218 In response to another question Ms Harman says she will recommend the prime minister attends an exhibition in Parliament on the suffragette movement.
1217 Sticking to issues facing businesses, Mr Hague says the government has achieved nothing. Referring to Gordon Brown's slip at last week's PMQs, he jokes: "If this is a prime minister saving the world, then God help the rest of the solar system." In a dig at David Cameron, Ms Harman replies she would rather have Superman leading the country than a Joker. The Speaker has to intervene to calm things down as Tory MPs point out she used the same joke last week. She says, to laughter, that what is apparently Mr Hague's website still says he is the Tory leader.1217 Sticking to issues facing businesses, Mr Hague says the government has achieved nothing. Referring to Gordon Brown's slip at last week's PMQs, he jokes: "If this is a prime minister saving the world, then God help the rest of the solar system." In a dig at David Cameron, Ms Harman replies she would rather have Superman leading the country than a Joker. The Speaker has to intervene to calm things down as Tory MPs point out she used the same joke last week. She says, to laughter, that what is apparently Mr Hague's website still says he is the Tory leader.
1213 Tories cheer as Mr Hague attacks the government's record. He talks of the worst retail downturn since records began, claiming the temporary VAT cut from 17.5% to 15% is not working. Ms Harman warns him not to talk down the economy.1213 Tories cheer as Mr Hague attacks the government's record. He talks of the worst retail downturn since records began, claiming the temporary VAT cut from 17.5% to 15% is not working. Ms Harman warns him not to talk down the economy.
1212 Have Your Say "What has been achieved in Iraq? Does the Honourable Lady accept that terrorism in Britain is a direct result of our invasion of that country?" Colin, UK1212 Have Your Say "What has been achieved in Iraq? Does the Honourable Lady accept that terrorism in Britain is a direct result of our invasion of that country?" Colin, UK
1212 Have Your Say "What is the governemt doing to help those who are having to pay CSA payments but can barely keep our heads above the water with our own expenses especially during this financial crisis" Dee, Bolton1212 Have Your Say "What is the governemt doing to help those who are having to pay CSA payments but can barely keep our heads above the water with our own expenses especially during this financial crisis" Dee, Bolton
1210 The atmosphere is subdued as Mr Hague accuses the government of re-announcing policies. Christmas should not be all about "repeats", he jokes in a reference to seasonal TV schedules. Ms Harman says the Tories would "make matters worse" for the economy by cutting public spending.1210 The atmosphere is subdued as Mr Hague accuses the government of re-announcing policies. Christmas should not be all about "repeats", he jokes in a reference to seasonal TV schedules. Ms Harman says the Tories would "make matters worse" for the economy by cutting public spending.
1209 Things are getting harder for people and businesses, Mr Hague says. A national loan guarantee scheme is needed, he adds. Ms Harman says £1.3bn extra is going to job centres and says unemployment is still about 600,000 lower than when Labour gained power in 1997.1209 Things are getting harder for people and businesses, Mr Hague says. A national loan guarantee scheme is needed, he adds. Ms Harman says £1.3bn extra is going to job centres and says unemployment is still about 600,000 lower than when Labour gained power in 1997.
1208 Have Your Say "With the likelihood of unemployment reaching 2.5million by June 09, is it prudent to bring back troops, many of whom will be decommissioned? These men will want a decent life, they have earned it, what will the government promise with guarantees?" Robert Lowe, St Petersburg, Russia 1208 Have Your Say "With the likelihood of unemployment reaching 2.5million by June 09, is it prudent to bring back troops, many of whom will be decommissioned? These men will want a decent life, they have earned it, what will the government promise with guarantees?" Robert Lowe, St Petersburg, Russia
1208 Mr Hague moves on to unemployment, saying more must be done to enable business to borrow. Ms Harman says anyone losing a job suffers a "terrible blow", while ministers are stepping up protections for people. She says the banks have been recapitalised to stabilise them and more will happen next year.1208 Mr Hague moves on to unemployment, saying more must be done to enable business to borrow. Ms Harman says anyone losing a job suffers a "terrible blow", while ministers are stepping up protections for people. She says the banks have been recapitalised to stabilise them and more will happen next year.
1205 Mr Hague is up. He makes a joke that the news of ending UK military involvement in Iraq was leaked last week but no-one was arrested. Ms Harman promises a further statement by Mr Brown on Thursday.1205 Mr Hague is up. He makes a joke that the news of ending UK military involvement in Iraq was leaked last week but no-one was arrested. Ms Harman promises a further statement by Mr Brown on Thursday.
1203 Labour's Brian Donohoe says energy firms must pass on lower costs to consumers. Ms Harman says she agrees and says the law will be changed otherwise.1203 Labour's Brian Donohoe says energy firms must pass on lower costs to consumers. Ms Harman says she agrees and says the law will be changed otherwise.
1202 And we're off. Ms Harman lets MPs know Gordon Brown is in Iraq and sends condolences to the family of a soldier killed in Afghanistan.1202 And we're off. Ms Harman lets MPs know Gordon Brown is in Iraq and sends condolences to the family of a soldier killed in Afghanistan.
1200 Mr Hague and Ms Harman have arrived.1200 Mr Hague and Ms Harman have arrived.
1159 Justice Secretary Jack Straw is in his customary position on the Labour front bench, while Chancellor Alistair Darling is also in place. Almost time.1159 Justice Secretary Jack Straw is in his customary position on the Labour front bench, while Chancellor Alistair Darling is also in place. Almost time.
1157 It is a beautiful, crisp winter's day in Westminster. Meanwhile, the chamber is more than half full. BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells Daily Politics there is "plenty" to discuss, despite the end-of-term feeling.1157 It is a beautiful, crisp winter's day in Westminster. Meanwhile, the chamber is more than half full. BBC political editor Nick Robinson tells Daily Politics there is "plenty" to discuss, despite the end-of-term feeling.
1153 Lord Heseltine says UK business not "seen anything like the worst" of the the downturn yet. He adds that the government has not done much to restore confidence and that the recession will be "painful".1153 Lord Heseltine says UK business not "seen anything like the worst" of the the downturn yet. He adds that the government has not done much to restore confidence and that the recession will be "painful".
1153 Lord Kinnock tells BBC Two's Daily Politics that the government is acting to ensure unemployment is kept to a minimum through the economic crisis. Ms Harman is likely to follow a similar line during PMQs.1153 Lord Kinnock tells BBC Two's Daily Politics that the government is acting to ensure unemployment is kept to a minimum through the economic crisis. Ms Harman is likely to follow a similar line during PMQs.
1152 Among the topics likely to crop up this week are the economy (especially as this is Mr Cable's brief for the Lib Dems), the VAT cut, overpaid pensions, unemployment, the future of the Royal Mail, and Iraq. It's all serious stuff but Ms Harman and Mr Hague, in the past, seem unable to resist a dig at each other. Mr Cable - who last year described Gordon Brown as having gone "from Stalin to Mr Bean" - is no stranger to mockery either.1152 Among the topics likely to crop up this week are the economy (especially as this is Mr Cable's brief for the Lib Dems), the VAT cut, overpaid pensions, unemployment, the future of the Royal Mail, and Iraq. It's all serious stuff but Ms Harman and Mr Hague, in the past, seem unable to resist a dig at each other. Mr Cable - who last year described Gordon Brown as having gone "from Stalin to Mr Bean" - is no stranger to mockery either.
1149 At the moment MPs are discussing international development matters. There is a fair smattering of them within the Commons chamber as International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander outlines government policy on aid to people in Zimbabwe.1149 At the moment MPs are discussing international development matters. There is a fair smattering of them within the Commons chamber as International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander outlines government policy on aid to people in Zimbabwe.
1146 While it is the day of the deputies in the Commons, two big beasts of the 1980s and 1990s - former Labour leader Lord Kinnock and former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine - are joining BBC Two's Daily Politics to offer their analysis and, possibly, advice.1146 While it is the day of the deputies in the Commons, two big beasts of the 1980s and 1990s - former Labour leader Lord Kinnock and former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine - are joining BBC Two's Daily Politics to offer their analysis and, possibly, advice.
1143 Hello and welcome to our coverage of the last PMQs of the year. As Gordon Brown is in Iraq, the leaders of the main parties will be replaced with stand-ins. For Labour, Harriet Harman takes over, while William Hague represents the Tories and Vince Cable the Liberal Democrats. All three are known for enjoying a joke or two during PMQs, so expect a bit of fun to see the Westminster troops off for Christmas. Join in the debate with Have Your Say.1143 Hello and welcome to our coverage of the last PMQs of the year. As Gordon Brown is in Iraq, the leaders of the main parties will be replaced with stand-ins. For Labour, Harriet Harman takes over, while William Hague represents the Tories and Vince Cable the Liberal Democrats. All three are known for enjoying a joke or two during PMQs, so expect a bit of fun to see the Westminster troops off for Christmas. Join in the debate with Have Your Say.