Politics LIVE: Starmer brutally mocked for Sue Gray saga as Sunak takes swipe at Labour chaos - 'When did he become in favour of fire and rehire?'

Minutes remain until final two Tory leadership candidates confirmed

In just a few minutes' time, the Conservative leadership contest is set to take one of its final twists, with the party whittling down its three remaining candidates for the top job to two.

In yesterday's round of voting, the party's MPs cast their votes as follows:

• James Cleverly (39 votes)
• Robert Jenrick (31 votes)
• Kemi Badenoch (30 votes)

Scottish Labour stunned by rebellion that sees Holyrood vote to REVERSE winter fuel cut

Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar was caught off-guard when two of his MSPs rebelled in a vote urging the UK Government to reverse the winter fuel payment cut.

Labour MSPs largely stood by UK Labour’s decision to press ahead with the adversely affect hundreds of thousands of pensioners this winter.

The non-binding motion from First Minister John Swinney was passed by 99 votes to 14, with members of all other parties voting with the SNP Government.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Starmer says homeless veterans are at 'the front of the social housing queue'

Labour MP for Gloucester Alex McIntyre asked Starmer: "Can the Prime Minister update this House on what this Government is doing to support veterans, in particular how he will meet his promise to make sure that every veteran in Gloucester has a roof over their head?"

The Prime Minister said: "We owe an enormous debt to all of our veterans, and it was a great honour to announce at our party conference that our plans to build new homes across the country will ensure that homeless veterans are at the frontline of the queue for new social housing.

"Recognising the incredible sacrifice and contribution that they make we will repay all those who served us and house all veterans in housing needs, ensuring homes are there for heroes. We’re also ensuring veterans have access to support including with mental health and employment."

Labour MP Dawn Butler asks if the prime minister thinks it is 'important' to have a debate on Black History Month

The Brent East Labour MP thanked the Speaker for an event he is hosting with a tribute to legendary Motown group, The Temptations.

Butler used the last question of PMQ's to ask if it was important to have a debate on the month, which this year has the theme of "Reclaiming the Narrative."

She said: "October is Black History Month, and the theme this year is reclaiming the narrative. I want to thank Mr Speaker for the event that you will be doing in your apartments with The Temptations tribute band and the Prime Minister will be having an event in No 10 this evening.

"Will the Prime Minister agree with me that it’s important that we continue to have a debate on the floor of this house during Government time on Black History Month?"

Sir Keir replied: "I’m not sure, just at the moment, going to something that’s labelled ‘temptations’ is quite where I need to be at. But look, this is a really important initiative. It is important it’s being marked and I’m very pleased to be hosting the event this evening, to which I think she is coming."

Starmer questioned over adult day centres being cut

High Peak MP Jon Pearce said that adult day centres are being cut in Derbyshire, and relays some of the personal experiences of constituents who have dementia.

The Prime Minister says he is shocked to hear about the impact of cuts in Derbyshire, and says that councils were at the front line of the "ruinous economic failure" of the last government.

He adds the Labour will provide councils will long-term financial support to councils.

Starmer skewered over controversial private school VAT raid

Shivani Raja said the controversial plan "strips hard-working families of the choice of what is best for their children" adding there were fears of job losses, and squeezing the state education sector to its "absolute limit."

The Conservative MP for Leicester East asked: "What actions is the prime minister taking to mitigate these effects if he is not undertaking an impact assessment to understand them?"

The Prime Minister responded that he does understand that parents "save hard" to send their children to private school. Adding: "The problem is we don't have enough teachers in key subjects in our secondary schools. The party opposite may be willing to tolerate that - I'm not."

The prime minister asks the Conservatives: "If they're not going to make this change, are they going to leave our state secondary schools without the teachers they need - or are they going to cut the education budget? Which is it?"

Davey grills Starmer over youth mobility scheme with the EU

The Liberal Democrat leader asked whether the Prime Minister would reconsider entering a youth mobility scheme with the EU.

Starmer says the Labour party manifesto had "clear red lines" regarding the country's relationship with Europe, and says he will negotiate within those red lines.

Starmer refuses to say whether his pre-election promise not to raise National Insurance applied to both employee and employer National Insurance payments

Sunak asked: "I don’t think even Lord Alli is buying any of that nonsense. I’m not asking about the Budget, I’m asking specifically about the promise he made the British people. So let me ask him again, just to clarify his own promise. Does his commitment not to raise National Insurance apply to both employee and employer National Insurance contributions?"

Sir Keir replied: "We set out our promises in the manifesto. We were returned with a huge majority to change the country for the better, and I stick to my promises in the manifesto."

He added: "I notice it’s question three and he hasn’t yet welcomed the investment into this country. We’ve had in recent months, £8 billion from Amazon for jobs across the country, £10 billion from Blackstone for jobs across the north east, £22 billion on carbon capture, jobs in the North East and North West, £500 million for UK buses in Northern Ireland. While we are investing in our economy, what are they doing? They’re arguing about whether to scrap maternity pay.”

Mr Sunak responded: "I’m very happy to welcome investments that this government negotiated. When it comes to his answer on tax, businesses across the country will have found his answer just as reassuring as Sue Gray did when he promised to protect her job."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Ed Davey questions Starmer over Falklands ownership 

The Liberal Democrat leader asked: "Fishermen in the Falklands are having to pay huge amount in tariffs to sell their produce into the EU single market or sail under a Spanish flag."

"So when the PM renegotiates with the EU will he remember the overseas territories and ensure that British citizens fishing off the Falklands can sail proudly under the Union Jack?"

Keir Starmer responded: "My uncle nearly lost his life when his ship was hit by a torpedo defending the Falklands. They are British and they will remain British."

Sunak targets Reeves over planned borrowing u-turn

The Tory leader said the change would be nothing more than "fiddling the figures" asking the Prime Minister: "Does he still agree?"

Starmer says that he won't be drawn on issues to do with the budget, adding that the government are rebuilding the NHS and investing in young people

He concludes that after 14 years of Conservative government, Labour are giving the country its future back.

Starmer refuses to rule out National Insurance contributions U-Turn

Sunak told MPs: "When (Sir Keir) talks about security at work, once again, it’s one rule for him and another rule for everyone else.

“But I know that not everything or everyone has survived his first 100 days in Government, so can he confirm that when he promised not to raise income tax, National Insurance or VAT, that commitment applies to both employer and employee National Insurance contributions?”

The Prime Minister replied: "We made an absolute commitment in relation to not raising tax on working people.

"He, of course, was the expert’s expert on raising taxes. What did we get in return for it? We got a broken economy, broken public services, and a £22 billion black hole in the economy. We’re here to stabilise the economy, and we will do so."

Rishi Sunak launches PMQ's with Sue Gray joke

The Leader of the Opposition used his first question to ask about coming changes to employment law.

Referencing Sue Gray, he joked: "When did the PM first become a convert to fire and rehire?"

The Prime Minister ignores the comment, instead focusing on the plans to introduce new worker protection.

PMQ's Live starting in the next few minutes

Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak will be going head to head at PMQ's in the next few minutes.

Christopher Hope and Gloria De Piero will be analysing all the details on PMQ's Live.

You can have your say and follow along with all the action here on GB News.

Rachel Reeves set to push ahead with plans to borrow billions for investment despite rising Government debt

Rachel Reeves is set to push ahead with plans to borrow billions of pounds for infrastructure investment, despite rising government debt costs.

Reeves intends to change how the Treasury accounts for capital spending to reflect its benefits, a move that could be confirmed to the Office for Budget Responsibility as early as Wednesday, reports show.

This change in accounting methods is expected to allow the government to borrow tens of billions more for capital spending over the course of this parliament.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

MPs to debate Renters’ Rights Bill including end to ‘cruel’ no fault evictions

Proposed protections for tenants are due to be debated in Parliament as the Housing Secretary pledged her commitment to abolishing "cruel" no fault evictions. The Renters’ Rights Bill will have its Second Reading in the Commons on Wednesday.

The Government said the speed of its progress through Parliament signals a determination to put protections in law as soon as possible. The previous government pledged to end section 21 so-called no fault evictions but concern about its impact on landlords and the courts was set to lead to a delay in implementation.

The Conservatives’ Renters (Reform) Bill then ran out of time to progress through Parliament before the election. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is also Housing Secretary, said the Renters’ Rights Bill will "transform the sector" with a focus on ensuring stable accommodation for families.

Swinney says North East of Scotland must become ‘powerhouse of renewables revolution’

Scotland’s First Minister is set to speak today at the Scottish Renewables and RenewableUK Floating Offshore Wind conference at the P&J Live in Aberdeen. He is due to discuss how energy is at the centre of his vision for Scotland’s future as "a modern and dynamic nation."

Before his speech, Swinney said: "The North East has been at the heart of Scotland’s recent industrial story, becoming synonymous with the innovation that had fuelled our economy. Now we need it to be the powerhouse of the renewables revolution – and in doing so it will transform our economy once again.

“The Scottish Government is working with developers, industry and academia to make the most of this era-defining opportunity – to use green growth to build a robust wellbeing economy that benefits everyone. No sector better exemplifies this ambition for purposeful collaboration than floating offshore wind."

Sadiq Khan and Yvette Cooper 'pressed' police to give Taylor Swift royal-style escort through London and then received free tickets

Yvette Cooper and Sadiq Khan have been accused of pressing police to give Taylor Swift a royalty-style blue-light escort to Wembley. The pop star performed eight nights at Wembley as part of her Eras World Tour.

Swift's mum and manager, Andrea, is said to have threatened to axe the August shows unless a police convoy was provided.

However, officers from the Met Police were reluctant to grant her the VIP service, which comes at huge expense to the taxpayer.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Rachel Reeves's budget could mean the end of the 'affordable pint' as hiked alcohol taxes may turn customers away from pubs

The Budget could kill "the affordable pint" as brewers and hospitality firms warn the chancellor that they will be driven out of business by further costs.

Rachel Reeves has been warned that raising taxes on alcohol and pubs would lead to a fall in revenues by depressing sales of drink.

In a letter sent to Reeves, hospitality chiefs also suggest Angela Rayner’s proposals to boost workers’ rights could cause a staffing crisis.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Lammy to travel to Bahrain and Jordan to discuss ceasefire

The Foreign Secretary will repeat calls for de-escalation in the Middle East during a visit to the region. The visit comes days after the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the latest round of the conflict, and amid reports that the Israeli military is expanding its ground operation in Lebanon.

He said: "The situation is incredibly dangerous and further escalation or miscalculation in the region is in no one’s interests. I am pleased to be back in the region to meet with our key partners in Bahrain and Jordan and see first hand our combined efforts towards building long-term security and stability in the Middle East.

"We must not waver at this critical period to achieve ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, to get more desperately needed aid into Gaza, and secure the release of all hostages."

Israel's subsequent offensive in Gaza following October 7 has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave's health ministry, displaced nearly all its 2.3 million people, many of them multiple times, and brought a humanitarian crisis with hunger widespread and healthcare and critical infrastructure breaking down.

Tory leadership hopefuls battle for MPs’ support in hours before final ballot

Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch face a battle to make it in to the final stage of the Conservative leadership election, as MPs prepare to vote for the last time on Wednesday.

Former home secretary James Cleverly looks all but assured of being one of the final two candidates after coming top of Tuesday’s third round ballot with 39 votes. But just one vote separates Jenrick and Badenoch, on 31 and 30 votes respectively.

Both are seen as potential standard bearers of the right of the Conservative party, and only one is likely to go through to the final round of the contest, leaving them just hours to secure more backers from among their parliamentary colleagues before Wednesday’s vote.