Starmer and Badenoch clash over North Sea oil and gas at PMQs – UK politics live | Politics
Badenoch attacks Labour’s proposed approach to energy support as more spending for people on benefits
Badenoch turns to the proposed energy bill support package, and she says this is another example of Starmer wanting to increase spending for people on benefits.
Starmer says Badenoch keeps getting things wrong.
Key events
Iain Duncan-Smith, the former Tory leader, says we are now at war with Iran whether we like it or not. He says the government should proscribe the Islamic Republican Guard Corps.
Starmer says the IRGC is sanctioned. But he says the proscription regime is not designed for state organisations.
Peter Fortune (Con) says, with Easter coming up, he is sure Starmer is thinking of the miracle of resurrection. He asks about what will be done to ensure people are not left behind in a cashless society, including a jibe about lost mobile phones.
Starmer says, as the country moves to a cashless society, the government must ensure that people who rely on cash are not left out.
Caroline Voaden (Lib Dem) asks about a constituent who suffered lifelong injuries from a pelvic mesh implant. She asks how long victims of this problem will have to wait for help.
Starmer says the government will respond to the recommendations from the inquiry into this at the earliest opportunity.
Harriet Baldwin, the Tory MP for West Worcestershire, asks why a government minister authorised the 9% council tax rise imposed by the Reform UK-led council there.
Starmer says Reform UK must take responsibility for their own decisions.
Tonia Antoniazzi (Lab) says two of her constitiuents had insulation fitted under a scheme set up by the last government. But it was badly done, and the repairs will cost £100,000. She says she will not be compensated for this.
Starmer says those responsible should be held to account. A minister will look at this case, he says.
John Lamont (Con) asks about the employer national insurance rise and how it is affecting a hotel in his constituency.
Starmer says the government raised this tax to repair the damage done by the previous government.
Starmer says Reform UK MPs have now all walked out of the Commons.
Nigel Farage says Starmer’s stop the boats policy has failed. What is plan B?
Starmer says Farage voted against the legislation giving more powers to border controls. Farage backed the Iran war, he says. He says one Reform council has raised council tax by 9%. And Farage has said, with regard to one council, he wishes his party had not won because governing was so hard. He calls Farage “a disgrace”.
Starmer confirms government to impose moratorium on crypto donations to political parties
Darren Paffey (Lab) asks if there has never been a more urgent need to defend our democracy, and stop foreign interference in it.
Starmer says the government will act decisively to protect our democracy, and there will be “a moratorium on all donations made through cryptocurrency”.
Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, says as a former energy secretary who granted energy licences for the North Sea he can say Starmer is right, and Badenoch wrong, about the Jackdaw and Rosebank licensing process.
He says the insider trading ahead of Donald Trump’s Iran announcement on Monday looks like “corruption of the worst kind”.
Starmer welcomes Davey’s comment about the North Sea. On Iran, he says he comments on his actions.
Davey says he does not think the chancellor’s rescue plan goes far enough. He dismisses Badenoch’s complaints as “crocodile tears”. But the government should help people who do not get benefits, he says.
Starmer says Davey is right to say Badenoch wanted to join the war.
And, on the North Sea, he says at least Davey has read the legislation that Badenoch challenged him on.
On energy, Starmer says the government will keep its policy under review. It will put in place “appropriate support”, he says.
Debbie Abrahams (Lab) asks about the occupied territories on the West Bank, and asks what will be done to stop products from their being imported.
Starmer says products from the West Bank should be properly labelled as such.
