Badenoch challenges Starmer at PMQs over winter fuel payment U-turn, Chagos deal and child benefit cap – UK politics live | Politics
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- June 4, 2025
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Badenoch claims she asked three questions about WFP two weeks ago, and she says Starmer was “floundering”.
She asks Starmer to apologise for pensioners, and asks how the U-turn will be paid for.
Starmer says Badenoch should apologise for the black hole the Tories left.
Key events
After PMQs there was meant to be an urgent question on Gaza. But that has been converted into a government statement, from Hamish Falconer, the Middle East minister, which will start after the regional growth statement from Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Treasury, which is taking place now.
Jesse Norman, the shadow leader of the Commons, raises a point of order. He says viewers will have seen Keir Starmer refuse to answer Kemi Badenoch’s questions. Instead Starmer started talking about Russia, he says. He asks whether Starmer should have been allowed to change the subject like that.
In reply, Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, says that at PMQs “the scope has always been that we’ve always questioned the answers whoever has been at that dispatch box”.
This came out as jibberish, but the point he seemed to be making was that at PMQs it is customary for the Speaker to allow the PM to answer questions however he likes.
Starmer says government will consider letting more miscarriage of justice victims qualify for compensation
David Davis (Con) says Starmer once wrote a book on miscarriages of justice. But people only get compensation if they can prove their innocence beyond reasonable doubt. This means 93% of victims do not get compensation.
Starmer says this is an important issue. He will ensure the government considers this.
Sarah Dyke (Lib Dem) says the police in Glastonbury need more resources to tackle the problem with anti-social behaviour in the constituency.
Starmer says Dyke is right to raise this issue.
David Pinto-Duschinsky (Lab) asks Starmer to criticise other parties not backing Labour’s plans on flood defences.
Starmer says the last government left flood defences in the worst state on record.
Gregory Stafford (Con) says his constituency needs more GPs.
Starmer says the last government left the NHS on its knees.
Lincoln Jopp (Con) says Starmer said he was a socialist during the election. It has been surprising to learn Nigel Farage is one too. Will Starmer remind Rachel Reeves of Margaret Thatcher’s saying about the problem with socialists being that they eventually run out of other people’s money.
Starmer says Jopp relaced Kwasi Kwarteng. He claims the Tories have made unfunded commitments worth £18bn. It is Liz Truss 2.0, he says.
Natalie Fleet (Lab) says she will speak out for rape victims who have having to wait years for justice.
Starmer says some women are having to wait far too long for justice.
The Tories left the prison system on the point of collapse, he says.
Manuela Perteghella (Lib Dem) asks about the impact of the national insurance increase on care providers. When will the government offer them relief?
Starmer says the government has announced £500m for local authorities to help them manage the NICs increase.
He says the Lib Dems opposed the budget. They cannot ask for more spending, but oppose the budget that provides it.
Starmer says the government inherited an “appalling” water system. The era of rewards for failure is over, he says.
Starmer rejects call from new Reform MP Sarah Pochin for burqa to be banned
Sarah Pochin, the new Reform UK MP, asks Starmer to ban the burqa in the interests of public safety, as some other European countries are doing.
Starmer welcomes Pochin to the Commons, but says he will not follow her advice on this. He says Pochin should tell her party leader to abandon Liz Truss economics.
Graeme Downie (Lab) says the SNP government is letting down young people in Scotland.
Starmer says the SNP is blocking an investement for a new welding centre on the Clyde.
Brendan O’Hara (SNP) says government lawyers recently argued in court that no genocide is occuring in Gaza. Is Starmer willing to say that here?
Starmer says he is appalled by Israel’s recent actions, including the expansion of military action, the actions of settlers, and the blocking of aid. The SNP want to get rid of the nuclear deterrent, he says.
Alex Barros-Curtis (Lab) praises the government for getting an exemption from steel tariffs for the UK. That will help workers in Wales, he says.
Starmer says the opposition do not support the deal that has led to this exemption. They are not backing British workers, he says.
Rachel Gilmour (Lib Dem) asks about a constituent who cannot work because of hger caring responsibilities who is unable to obtain disability living allowance. Will Starmer reassure her the government is doing all it can to help.
Starmer says the government will look into this.
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