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Live: Prime minister's questions Live: Prime minister's questions
(10 minutes later)
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Watch prime minister's questions live from 1200 GMTWatch prime minister's questions live from 1200 GMT
By Justin Parkinson 1207 Mr Cameron is straight onto the economy, asking whether the PM was wrong to say he had abolished boom and bust. Mr Brown says it is a global economic crisis and attacks Conservative policy, accusing the opposition of wanting to cut spending. By Justin Parkinson 1219 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg asks why the PM is playing "copycat" with the Tories over the bank loans guarantee scheme, rather than "hardball" to get the banks lending. Mr Brown says that, since November, 20,000 firms have benefited from government initatives to increase cashflow.
1218 Labour MP and home affairs committee chairman Keith Vaz asks the PM to call for a ceasefire in Sri Lanka. Mr Brown says he will be talking to other leaders about the situation.
1217 "I cannot stand this - a month off and it's the same. Gordon refusing to answer the questions and throwing a grown up version of 'takes one to know one'. Actually, grown up isn't quite the phrase I'm after."Dave, London
1216 They are still arguing about VAT. Mr Cameron says this, and other government moves, are achieving nothing, "bogus" and building up debts for Britain's children. The PM says the Tories would cut services for children.
1215 "Brown's delivery is so bad that you can't help but stop listening to what he is saying. Cringeworthy."Ben Davies, Manchester
1214 The PM says the Tories are internationally isolated on economic policy. They trade remarks about ex-Tory chancellor Ken Clarke. Mr Cameron says Labour has squandered his "golden economic inheritance" since 1997. Mr Brown replies that Mr Clarke has said he might consider a VAT cut as a viable policy.
1213 "I wish David Cameron and the Conservatives would get on with being an effective opposition and scrutnising the current situation alongside the government instead of keeping harping back to statements made years ago. I still think he looks like a dog nipping at the heels of the PM."Ben Elder, Milton Keynes
1212 Mr Brown defends the VAT cut, saying it gives the typical family an extra £5 a week to spend.
1211 The line of questions and answers is pretty much as predicted so far. Mr Brown says Tory plans to cut the business department's budget are a "do-nothing" policy. Mr Cameron says the government's temporary VAT cut is adding to government debt and "an expensive failure".
1208 The Tory leader gets in a jibe about the stories saying a butler is being employed in Downing Street. He says the government is in more need of a photocopier - for policy formulation.
1207 Mr Cameron is straight onto the economy, asking whether the PM was wrong to say he had abolished boom and bust. Mr Brown says it is a global economic crisis and attacks Conservative policy, accusing the opposition of wanting to cut spending.
1207 David Cameron is up. The last question was "planted" and the loans policy "copied" from the Tories, he says. He adds that it was a shame the "good Conservative" policy had not been announced in a Commons statement.1207 David Cameron is up. The last question was "planted" and the loans policy "copied" from the Tories, he says. He adds that it was a shame the "good Conservative" policy had not been announced in a Commons statement.
1205 Labour's Liz Blackman asks the first question of the year, on the loan guarantees for small businesses which was announced by Lord Mandelson this morning. She asks if it will be "properly targeted". Mr Brown says it will give real help for business now.1205 Labour's Liz Blackman asks the first question of the year, on the loan guarantees for small businesses which was announced by Lord Mandelson this morning. She asks if it will be "properly targeted". Mr Brown says it will give real help for business now.
1203 The PM begins by paying tribute to service personnel killed in Afghanistan.1203 The PM begins by paying tribute to service personnel killed in Afghanistan.
1201 BBC political editor Nick Robinson predicts the economy will dominate, complete with "soundbites" in place for the next general election. The Speaker calls MPs to order and gets PMQs under way.1201 BBC political editor Nick Robinson predicts the economy will dominate, complete with "soundbites" in place for the next general election. The Speaker calls MPs to order and gets PMQs under way.
1200 Lord Tebbit says he thinks it does not matter "a damn" whether the heir to the throne - ie the Prince of Wales - calls a friend "Sooty", as has been reported in the press. Will this come up at PMQs?1200 Lord Tebbit says he thinks it does not matter "a damn" whether the heir to the throne - ie the Prince of Wales - calls a friend "Sooty", as has been reported in the press. Will this come up at PMQs?
1159 A few minutes to go. The House of Commons is buzzing with excitement. Well, it's been almost a month now since the last instalment. David Cameron is in.1159 A few minutes to go. The House of Commons is buzzing with excitement. Well, it's been almost a month now since the last instalment. David Cameron is in.
1158 Immigration minister Phil Woolas tells Daily Politics his recent comments on his brief have been aimed at making the country talk about it. Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne says there was "clearly a mistake" when the government "unilaterally" removed controls on immigration from eastern EU countries. Lord Tebbit says it is "extraordinary" that ministers were saying things he said a decade ago and was accused of "dreadful things".1158 Immigration minister Phil Woolas tells Daily Politics his recent comments on his brief have been aimed at making the country talk about it. Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne says there was "clearly a mistake" when the government "unilaterally" removed controls on immigration from eastern EU countries. Lord Tebbit says it is "extraordinary" that ministers were saying things he said a decade ago and was accused of "dreadful things".
1152 This week's precursor to PMQs is Duchy of Lancaster questions. The chamber looks pretty busy already.1152 This week's precursor to PMQs is Duchy of Lancaster questions. The chamber looks pretty busy already.
1150 The weather at Westminster is gloomy, cold and misty. Symbolic of events to come within the Commons chamber? Let's hope not.1150 The weather at Westminster is gloomy, cold and misty. Symbolic of events to come within the Commons chamber? Let's hope not.
1146 It won't come as a surprise to regular PMQs watchers, but today's Sun reports that shadow foreign secretary (and ex-Tory leader) William Hague has been "sensationally anointed" as David Cameron's deputy. Will this allow Mr Brown to make jibes about the Tories being backward-looking? The Oxford English Dictionary's definition of "anoint" is "to smear or rub over (medicinally or cosmetically) with oil or unguent; to oil, grease, apply ointment to". Tabloid language apart, that would indeed be a sensational event.1146 It won't come as a surprise to regular PMQs watchers, but today's Sun reports that shadow foreign secretary (and ex-Tory leader) William Hague has been "sensationally anointed" as David Cameron's deputy. Will this allow Mr Brown to make jibes about the Tories being backward-looking? The Oxford English Dictionary's definition of "anoint" is "to smear or rub over (medicinally or cosmetically) with oil or unguent; to oil, grease, apply ointment to". Tabloid language apart, that would indeed be a sensational event.
1144 Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has received a grilling from the Commons business select committee. He said rumours of a turf war with Schools Secretary Ed Balls were "absolute and complete stuff and nonsense".1144 Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has received a grilling from the Commons business select committee. He said rumours of a turf war with Schools Secretary Ed Balls were "absolute and complete stuff and nonsense".
1142 Among those near the top of the MPs' ballot to ask questions this week are Labour's Liz Blackman, Lib Dem Tom Brake and a trio of Tories: Simon Burns, John Randall and Richard Bacon.1142 Among those near the top of the MPs' ballot to ask questions this week are Labour's Liz Blackman, Lib Dem Tom Brake and a trio of Tories: Simon Burns, John Randall and Richard Bacon.
1140 Another thought regarding possible questions. Jonathan Ross is to host the Baftas next month. Several MPs were angry that the BBC did not sack him over the Andrew Sachs row. Will Mr Brown be asked about this?1140 Another thought regarding possible questions. Jonathan Ross is to host the Baftas next month. Several MPs were angry that the BBC did not sack him over the Andrew Sachs row. Will Mr Brown be asked about this?
1138 Mr Woolas says the government is talking to the banks to ensure "perfectly sound" businesses do not fail because of a lack of credit. Asked for examples of strategically important companies which might need help from the loans guarantee scheme, he cites IT firms.1138 Mr Woolas says the government is talking to the banks to ensure "perfectly sound" businesses do not fail because of a lack of credit. Asked for examples of strategically important companies which might need help from the loans guarantee scheme, he cites IT firms.
1135 Lord Tebbit tells Daily Politics that the government's scheme to underwrite bank loans is "modest", arguing that ministers themselves have overborrowed in recent years. Will Mr Cameron follow the same line?1135 Lord Tebbit tells Daily Politics that the government's scheme to underwrite bank loans is "modest", arguing that ministers themselves have overborrowed in recent years. Will Mr Cameron follow the same line?
1133 As well as live text coverage today, there will be analysis by BBC political correspondent David Thompson. We will also be putting up comments from former Tory chairman Lord Tebbit and immigration minister Phil Woolas, who are appearing on BBC Two's Daily Politics.1133 As well as live text coverage today, there will be analysis by BBC political correspondent David Thompson. We will also be putting up comments from former Tory chairman Lord Tebbit and immigration minister Phil Woolas, who are appearing on BBC Two's Daily Politics.
1131 Hello, Happy New Year and welcome back to our live text coverage of PMQs. Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and a host of backbenchers return for more spats over the issues of the day. Once again the economy looks set to dominate, with the government having announced a £20bn scheme to underwrite loans to small businesses. Meanwhile, a leading economist has predicted unemployment will reach 2.8 million this year. There is also a possible rebellion by Labour MPs over part-privatisation of Royal Mail for Mr Brown to contend with. Expect the imminent government announcement about a third runway at Heathrow to stir the passions too. Oh, and another political outsider - banker Mervyn Davies - is to be given a peerage and a ministerial job. Might that cause a little resentment among Labour backbenchers?1131 Hello, Happy New Year and welcome back to our live text coverage of PMQs. Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and a host of backbenchers return for more spats over the issues of the day. Once again the economy looks set to dominate, with the government having announced a £20bn scheme to underwrite loans to small businesses. Meanwhile, a leading economist has predicted unemployment will reach 2.8 million this year. There is also a possible rebellion by Labour MPs over part-privatisation of Royal Mail for Mr Brown to contend with. Expect the imminent government announcement about a third runway at Heathrow to stir the passions too. Oh, and another political outsider - banker Mervyn Davies - is to be given a peerage and a ministerial job. Might that cause a little resentment among Labour backbenchers?