UK PMQs LIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Rishi Sunak in First Clash of the Year

Economic & Infrastructure Development

• 💡 The government claims to be "turning a corner" economically, citing £150 off energy bills, frozen rail fares, and lifting half a million children out of poverty.
• 📈 Inflation is falling, and the Bank of England predicts it will reach its target, with six consecutive interest rate cuts and IMF forecasting high growth for the UK in 2025.
• 🏗️ Support was expressed for the Chesterfield Staveley regeneration route, aiming to deliver 1,500 houses and 5,700 jobs on former coal mining and brownfield industrial land.
• ⚠️ Concerns were raised about the cumulative impact of business rate revisions and relief reductions in York, with hospitality facing a 41% rise and independent shops around 27%, potentially leading to closures.

International Relations & Security

• 🌍 Discussions included security guarantees for Ukraine with NATO allies, emphasizing their importance for a just and lasting peace.
• ⚖️ The Prime Minister's former chambers head stated that President Trump's actions in Venezuela were illegal, breaching the UN Charter, though the PM focused on a peaceful transition to democracy and international law.
• 🛡️ The UK government backed the Danish Prime Minister against Trump's threats to annex Greenland, reaffirming NATO's importance as a military alliance and rejecting calls to choose between Europe and the US.
• 💬 A conflict of interest was debated regarding the Shadow Attorney General advising Abramovich while the opposition supports sanctions against Russia and aid for Ukraine.

Domestic Policy & Public Services

• 🧠 A call was made for a public health campaign on suicide prevention, especially in January, with the government highlighting its men's health strategy, funding, and mental health worker recruitment.
• 💉 The government announced the chickenpox vaccine rollout, contrasting it with "vaccine conspiracy theories" and emphasizing the importance of a Labour government for healthcare safety.
• 🏥 An inquiry was requested into the deaths of 56 babies and two mothers at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, with the Prime Minister expressing commitment to a high-standard, independent inquiry.
• 🌊 Tribute was paid to local volunteers for cleaning up toxic debris from a cargo vessel spill off the West Sussex coastline, with calls for the polluter to bear costs.

Justice & Social Welfare

• ⚖️ The need to reform courts and the criminal justice system was highlighted to address "victim waiting lists" and improve justice for victims, particularly those of violence against women and girls.
• 💼 A review of franchising legislation was requested to ensure a balance of power between companies and franchisees, following a tragic case involving a Vodafone manager.
• 📉 Concerns were raised about youth emigration and rural depopulation in the Highlands due to lack of opportunity, with calls for stronger apprenticeship and skills pathways.
• 🏡 The Prime Minister affirmed commitment to building houses through "sensible proposals" and reusing brownfield land, rejecting claims of bulldozing the countryside.

Northern Ireland & Veterans

• 🤝 Discussion centered on the dysfunction in Northern Ireland's power-sharing, with calls for a structured conversation to address the "culture of veto and decline" within Stormont.
• 🎖️ Concerns were raised about the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill not adequately protecting veterans, with the government promising amendments to ensure fair and effective safeguards.
• 🛡️ The opposition accused the government of "surrendering our veterans to lawfare" and prioritizing welfare over defense spending, while the government emphasized protecting veterans.