During Prime Minister’s Questions, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn confronted Keir Starmer about Labour MPs from Scotland voting to retain the two-child benefit cap, contradicting Gordon Brown’s call to end child poverty. Starmer defended his party’s track record on lifting children out of poverty and highlighted steps taken by the current government. However, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle reprimanded Flynn for using props during his questioning.
The SNP’s Pete Wishart criticized Starmer for the Labour rebellion over the benefit cap, leading to the suspension of seven MPs. Wishart suggested that Starmer’s “honeymoon” period was over before it began, citing negative headlines and backlash from poverty campaigners. Starmer pushed back, stating he wouldn’t take lectures from the SNP and highlighting an increase in child poverty in Scotland.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey pressed Starmer on social care and carer allowance repayments, calling for a cross-party commission to address the crisis. Starmer acknowledged the severity of the crisis inherited by the new government and pledged to work with the sector to create a national care service.
In response to Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s comments about possible sanctions on Russian assets to fund Ukrainian reconstruction, Starmer expressed unity across the House on sanctions and freezing assets. He confirmed discussions on more effective measures and emphasized the importance of working together on this issue.
The exchange at PMQs highlighted tensions within the opposition parties and the challenges facing the new Labour government. Starmer’s responses focused on defending his party’s actions and outlining plans for addressing key issues like child poverty and social care.
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