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

Angela Rayner speaks out as police review deputy Labour leader’s council house claims

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.

Key Points

• Rayner says Tories ‘obsessed’ with her former council house at fiery PMQs
• Labour deputy brands Sunak a ‘pint-sized’ loser
• Sunak visits Berlin to strengthen military ties with Germany
• PM praises Germany for hiking defence spending
• ‘Conditions are right’ to increase defence spending - Shapps
• UK will increase defence spending to 2.5% by 2030

[24 April 2024 10:06 · Matt Mathers]

Former Labour minister Frank Field dies aged 81 after cancer battle

Former Labour minister and crossbench peer Frank Field has died aged 81, his family has announced.

Lord Field had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

[24 April 2024 09:58 · Matt Mathers]

ICYMI: Rayner told kitchen renovations offset tax on council house sale

Angela Rayner is expected to claim that she did not have to pay capital gains tax when she sold her former house due to a kitchen renovation, as the row over her housing affairs rumbles on.

The deputy Labour leader is likely to argue that enhancements she made to her former council house have offset the tax she would have paid had it not been her primary property, according to The Times.

Full report:

[24 April 2024 09:55 · Matt Mathers]

‘Conditions are right’ to increase defence spending - defence secretary

Defence secretary Grant Shapps told GB News has said that inflation falling and the current conflicts across the world have led to the government’s decision to increase defence spending.

“The conditions are right now, but not only that, the situation in the world. You’ve seen what’s been happening in Ukraine, with (Vladimir) Putin continuing to prosecute his illegal war.

“You’ve seen what’s happening in the Middle East with Iran firing on Israel with 100s of projectiles. I think it’s very important for Britain to play its leadership part.”

Mr Shapps said the funding will go towards a lot of “different things” including munitions, accommodation and new technology.

“Most of all I hope it leverages the countries to come forward and spend their money properly. It’s really important that we show dictators everywhere, people like Putin, that we will not be walked over.

Mr Shapps added that the government will be “cutting the bureaucracy” in defence to help fund the package.

“We have about 60,000 people in MoD, but we’re saying by 2028 we think we can manage with 50,000 people.

“We want people on the front line, not in the offices.” More comments from Mr Shapps below:

[24 April 2024 09:45 · Matt Mathers]

ICYMI: Britain to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030, Rishi Sunak announces

Rishi Sunak has promised to boost Britain’s defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030 – despite critics raising concerns about how he will pay for the promise.

At a press conference alongside Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, the prime minister promised an extra £75bn in defence spending over the next six years.

Full report:

[24 April 2024 09:42 · Matt Mathers]

Sunak and Scholz to announce joint development of artillery systems in Berlin

Sunak’s first visit to the German capital since entering No 10 comes after he faced pressure to visit senior politicians from one of the UK’s most powerful European allies.

The UK and Germany are closely aligned on matters including support for Ukraine and are the two biggest suppliers of military aid to the country after the US, but have so far opted to co-operate through Nato and G7 forums instead of through strengthening bilateral ties.

Full report:

[24 April 2024 09:40 · Matt Mathers]

Recap: Why are police investigating sale of Labour deputy leader’s council house?

Police have launched an investigation into Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner as speculation over whether she broke electoral law continues.

The investigation opened upon “reassessment of information” given to the police by deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, James Daly, about information she gave about her living situation a decade ago.

Here’s everything we know about the row:

[24 April 2024 09:36 · Matt Mathers]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live politics coverage.

Today we are covering Prime Minister’s Questions and other stories from Westminster and elsewhere.

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