Starmer says Louise Casey to be brought in to support grooming gangs inquiry
Kemi Badenoch starts with a tribute to the former Tory MP Oliver Colvile, who has died.
She says her first question comes from Fiona, one of the grooming gang survivors. Fiona asks what the point of speaking up if you are going to be called liars.
Starmer thanks Badenoch for the question. The grooming gangs scandal was one of the worst of all time. He says his “vow” to Fiona and others is that this inquiry will be different; survivors won’t be ignored. Fiona is welcome to rejoin the panel. The inquiry will not be watered down, it will focus on grooming gangs and it will cover the ethnicity of offenders.
And he says Louise Casey will be brought in to support the inquiry.
Key events
Harpreet Uppal (Lab) raises a knife attack in her constituency, and asks what the government is doing about this.
Starmer says the government has a strategy to tackle the root causes of knife crime.
Alex Mayer (Lab) says during the war Churchill changed the clocks to ensure there was more daylight in the evening. Will the government try “Churchill time” again?
Starmer says he will consider the idea (in the tone of voice that implies he won’t.)
Rebecca Smith (Con) asks when the government will implement its pledge to reduce business rates. The Tories would abolish them, she says.
Starmer lists measures the government is already taking to help businesses.
Patrick Hurley (Lab) asks what the government is doing to support youth clubs. He particularly mentions the FAB charity.
Starmer praises the FAB charity, and says the government’s youth strategy will be published later in the autumn.
Simon Hoare (Con) asks about the problems facing Jhoots Pharmacies.
Starmer says customers and staff have been badly left down. He says officials are currently addressing whether councils and health boards need more powers to go after rogue pharmacies.
Julia Minns (Lab) asks about flood defences in her Carlisle constituency. Does the PM agree climate change-sceptic policies of the opposition parties are reckless?
Starmer says the Tories left flood defences in their worst state for years.
Starmer attacks a Reform UK council for bringing Reform into disrepute, which he says is “quite something” for a party whose former Welsh leader has been convicted for taking pro-Russian bribes.
Starmer declines to rule out further delay in council elections because of local government reorganisation
Will Forster (Lib Dem) says it has been reported that local elections will be cancelled for a second year because of local government reorganisation. Can the PM rule that out?
Starmer defends the reorganisation. He says the timetable for the elections in Surrey will be set out soon.
He does not rule out a further delay.
Wendy Morton (Con) asks the PM to define when grey belt is grey.
Starmer says he can given an example of a car park being defined as green belt. That is the sort of place where development should take place.
Ellie Chowns (Green) asks if the PM accepts inequality, not immigration, is the reason for low living standards.
Starmer says, if the Greens want to tackle inequality, they should vote for Labour’s measures to address this.
Daniel Francis (Lab), who represents Bexleyheath and Crawford, says the local Tory council does not want people to report potholes because it cannot afford to fill them in.
Starmer says that is “ludicrous”.
Davey welcomes Labour accepting Brexit has been ‘disaster’, and calls for customs union with EU
Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, asks if the PM agrees the Commons should properly scrutinise the Crown Estate, given the revelations about the Royal Lodge. Would he support a select committee inquiry, with Prince Andrew giving evidence.
Starmer says he favours proper scrutiny.
Davey says Labour MPs are relieved they can finally call Brexit a disaster. But that must not be just a means of attacking Nigel Farage, “however much he deserves it”. Will the PM repair the damage by negotiating a customs union with the EU.
Starmer rejects that idea.
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