PMQs live: Starmer defends welfare bill after Badenoch claims it was ‘completely gutted’

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Keir Starmer is the first prime minister to “propose a bill to save money, who ended up with a bill which costs money”, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said.

Badenoch said:

I don’t think the prime minister actually watched what happened in the house yesterday. His bill was completely gutted, a U-turn in the middle of the debate removing clause five. Where on earth was he?

The reason why he can’t answer the question is because he knows it doesn’t save any money. It’s going to cost millions. This is the first prime minister in history to propose a bill to save money, who ended up with a bill which costs money. So if the bill does not cut welfare spending, can the prime minister tell the house how many people it will get into work?

Starmer replied:

We have already started changing the job centres and investing in support back into work.

He added:

The bill last night will help people back into work, and of course, the Timms review is ongoing. But I tell you what won’t help people back into work, what … won’t help control the costs, and that is voting to keep the broken system. And that is what they did last night.

Everybody in this house accepts the current system is broken. It invites the question, who broke it? They broke it, and last night, they voted for the status quo. The broken system is their policy, that won’t help individuals, taxpayers, certainly won’t help the economy.

The work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, is standing behind the speaker’s chair during PMQs instead of on the frontbenches alongside Starmer.

Badenoch refers to a series of “humilating u-turns” from the Labour government. She says the country needs to learn to live within its means.

Starmer replies by listing promises he says his government have made and delivered. Again, he brings up the “£22bn black hole” left by the Tories.

Unemployment has risen every month since Labour have taken over, says Badenoch.

Starmer says he’s really proud of Labour’s work on free school meals, affordable housing, trade deals and much more.

Badenoch says Starmer can’t confirm that the chancellor will stay in her job.

Badenoch: welfare bill 'completely gutted'

Badenoch says Starmer can’t control his MPs. She adds that while the welfare bill passed, it was “completely gutted” by concessions before the vote.

In response, Starmer says the Tories broke “everything they touched”.

Badenoch fires back that the PM has a “brass neck” and asks if he’s read the papers this morning. People out there are frightened. Can he rule out tax rises in the budget?

Starmer replies that she knows no PM stands at the dispatch box and writes budgets.

Kemi Badenoch begins by saying its been a difficult week for the prime minister.

She asks: How much is his welfare bill going to save?

Starmer replies that the welfare bill is consistent with the principles he previously set out and will be “better for individuals, better for the taxpayer and better for the economy”.

Paul Waugh asks about child poverty and free school meals.

Giving children the best start in life is important to him, replies Starmer.

Keir Starmer starts by saying thanking the NHS staff for their services as the NHS celebrates its 77th anniversary this Saturday. He says tomorrow the government’s 10-year health plan will be announced.

The House of Commons is filling up in anticipation for today’s PMQs. Both Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch can be spotted. Northern Ireland questions is just finishing up.

A live stream of today’s PMQs has been added to the top of the blog. You may need to refresh the page to see it.