PMQs - as it happened: Corbyn says May ‘pouring petrol on burning injustices’ with universal credit rollout
Updates from Westminster, as they happened
Jeremy Corbyn has clashed with Theresa May over failings related to the government’s flagship welfare programme, claiming the prime minister is “pouring petrol” on the “burning injustices” she set out to resolve.
As the roll-out of universal credit accelerates, the Labour leader criticised the highly-contentious policy, saying that it is forcing more children into poverty and driving claimants to use food banks in greater numbers.
"The prime minister is not challenging the burning injustices in our society, she's pouring petrol on the crisis. When will she stop inflicting misery on the people of this country," Mr Corbyn said.
It came as speculation swirled around Westminster over a plot to oust Ms May as prime minister from her own backbenchers.
Members of the European Research Group (ERG), an influential group of Tory Eurosceptics, spent nearly an hour war-gaming plans to oust the prime minister over her Brexit blueprint at a meeting on Tuesday night.
However senior figures, including ex-Brexit secretary David Davis and Jacob Rees-Mogg, distanced themselves from reports of plans to oust Ms May from Downing Street.
See below for live updates
Corbyn dismisses her comments. He says all MPs have seen this in their constituencies. He says the national audit office has warned it could cost the government even more. Does she disagree, he asks.
May tells a story of a single mother who came to see her when Labour were in government. The woman wanted to set an example to her child by getting a job but she was told by the job centre that she would be better off on benefits.
Corbyn can't resist a jibe at May on Brexit, ribbing her about the 'gloomy faces behind her - and I don't just mean the ERG'.
'Everywhere you look this government is failing', he says. He says May is 'pouring petrol on the crisis' and says May's own promise to 'tackle burning injustices' has failed.
May says she is tackling injustices. She then goes on the attack, referring to deselection threats and Chuka Umunna's claim that the party is "institutionally racist". That's what Corbyn has done to the party, what would he do to this country, she asks.
Ian Blackford from the SNP is now on his feet. He accuses the PM "abandoning" millions of families through austerity and says people are poorer over the last decade.
He says May is 'unfit to govern and incapable of leadership', and condemns her for wanting to 'walk of the Brexit cliff edge'.
May says she is working for a good Brexit deal and quotes the Scottish NFU who urged people to support the government's plan.
John Lamont, a Scottish Tory, asks her to condemn MPs who appear on Russian state television.
May says they risk being used as propaganda for the Russian state and gets in a dig at Corbyn by referring to Press TV, the Iranian state broadcaster, where he has appeared in the past.
Alan Mak, a Tory PPS, asks May whether Brexit will basically be brilliant.
May says yes.
Hugo Swire asks why a promised report into the Windrush scandal has not been published.
May says the publication is being looked at currently.
Tory MP Trudy Harrison asks if farmers will be able to export meat after the EU.
May says famers play an important role. When UK leaves EU, the government is working to ensure they will be able to export their meat abroad. UK will also be able to leave the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Wayne David, a Labour MP, asks if she will be happy to leave the European Arrest Warrant.
May says the Chequers plan will make the UK part of the EAW.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies