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UK politics - live: Rayner and Dowden clash at fiery PMQs as Sunak branded a ‘pint-sized loser’

Labour’s deputy leader uses session to tackle the government on its housing record, accusing ministers of delaying justice on no-fault evictions

Matt Mathers
Wednesday 24 April 2024 14:02 BST
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Angela Rayner speaks out as police review deputy Labour leader’s council house claims

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Angela Rayner branded Rishi Sunak a “pint-sized loser” during a fiery session of Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.

Labour’s deputy leader used the session to tackle the government on its housing record, accusing ministers of delaying justice on no-fault evictions in the rented sector.

She also accused Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, of having “stabbed” the Tories’ “biggest election winner” Boris Johnson in the back in order to get his “mate into No 10”.

“Has he finally realised that when he stabbed Boris Johnson in the back to get his mate into No 10 he was ditching their biggest election winner for a pint-sized loser?” she told MPs in the Commons, following reports that Mr Dowden was among senior Tories call for a summer election.

Elsewhere, the prime minister is on a visit to Germany. He held a joint press conference with chancellor Olfa Scholz, where he praised Germany for increasing defence spending.

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She might claim Commons as her main residence - Dowden

Dowden replies saying it is a pleasure to have another exchange with Rayner.

He notes it is one of several between the two deputies and jokes that if there are any more she might claim the Commons chamber as her residence.

On the issue of no fault evictions, he adds, MPs will be voting on the matter later today and insists the government is taking action.

Matt Mathers24 April 2024 12:14
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Rayner uses first question to tackle Dowden on housing

Rayner uses her first question to tackle Dowden on the government’s housing record.

She says that Natalie from Brighton has been served with two no fault eviction notices in 18 months.

Rayner asks Dowden when the Tories will start tackling the issue instead of focusing on her living arrangements.

Matt Mathers24 April 2024 12:11
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PMQs is now under way.

Stay tuned for live updates as Angela Rayner faces Oliver Dowden.

Matt Mathers24 April 2024 12:06
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PMQs kicks off shortly

PMQs will kick off shortly - we’ll bring you all the action as it happens.

You can also watch the exchanges live on our YouTube channel (below)

Angela Rayner faces Oliver Dowden in a crunch battle of the deputies.

Watch live: Rayner and Dowden step in for Sunak and Starmer during PMQs

Watch live as deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden clashes with Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 24 April.

Matt Mathers24 April 2024 11:58
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Watch: Civil service cuts will pay for £75bn in defence, says Grant Shapps

Civil service cuts will pay for £75bn in defence, says Grant Shapps
Matt Mathers24 April 2024 11:57
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402 people detected trying to cross Channel on Tuesday - Home Office

Some 402 people were detected crossing the English Channel on Tuesday, according to provisional figures from the Home Office.

The cumulative number of arrivals by small boats in 2024 now stands at a provisional total of 6,667.

This is 20 per cent higher than the total at the equivalent point last year, which was 5,546, but slightly lower (down 0.4 per cent) than the total at this stage in 2022, which was 6,691.

Some seven boats were detected on Tuesday, which suggests an average of around 57 people per boat.

There were 29,437 arrivals across the whole of 2023, down 36 per cent on a record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.

File photo: Footage from BBC News shows migrants in small boat at Dunkirk on Tuesday morning
File photo: Footage from BBC News shows migrants in small boat at Dunkirk on Tuesday morning (BBC)

Matt Mathers24 April 2024 11:47
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Labour declines to match 2.5% defence spending by 2030

Labour has declined to put a date on defence spending reaching 2.5 per cent of GDP.

Emily Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, said her party would boost spending “as and when we can” if it won the next election.

It comes after PM Rishi Sunak pledged to meet the target by 2030.

Ms Thornberry told Sky News Labour would increase spending when the “circumstances allow”.

“We want to move towards 2.5 per cent – it was 2.5 per cent when we were last in power - we’re not going to say we’re going to do it by 2030,” she added.

Matt Mathers24 April 2024 11:37
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Watch: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arrives in court

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arrives in court charged with historical sexual offences
Matt Mathers24 April 2024 11:27
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Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson faces 11 historical sex charges in court including rape

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has appeared in court to face historical sex charges, including one count of rape.

The former DUP leader’s wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson also appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court to face charges in relation to the same police investigation.

Full report:

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson faces 11 sex charges in court including rape

The 61-year-old politician was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March

Matt Mathers24 April 2024 11:26
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Watch live: Sunak meets Scholz

Matt Mathers24 April 2024 11:24

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