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Sir Keir Starmer joked that Jeremy Hunt “has been taking lessons on marketing from the Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow” over promises on childcare.The chancellor announced the government will guarantee pay rates to childcare providers for the next two years, to deliver on its care offer for children over nine months old and get more working-age parents back into employment.The Labour leader added: “All is not as it seems and with just over three weeks to go, he has to come clean because up and down the country parents need to know will they get their entitlement in April or is it just another of their reckless promises on governing?” More

Sir Keir Starmer described Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt as “the Chuckle Brothers of decline” as he responded to the chancellor’s spring Budget on Wednesday 6 March.The Labour leader suggested Mr Hunt’s statement – which is expected to be the last before a general election – “is the last, desperate act of a party that has failed”.“Another day, a new entry in this hall of infamy. The chancellor, who breezes into this chamber in a recession and tells the working people of this country that everything is on track,” Sir Keir said.“Crisis, what crisis… smiling as the ship goes down, the Chuckle Brothers of decline.” More

Jeremy Hunt made a joke about Sir Keir Starmer’s weight during his heated Budget announcement in the House of Commons.The chancellor brought up comments by top Labour adviser Peter Mandelson who said Sir Keir could do to “shed a few pounds” to appeal to voters.Mr Hunt said: “I know he has been taking advice from Lord Mandelson who yesterday rather uncharitably said he needed to shed a few pounds.“Ordinary families will shed more than a few pounds if that lot gets in.”Mr Hunt then added: “If he wants to join me on my marathon training he is most welcome as well. More

Rishi Sunak dodged Sir Keir Starmer when he was asked why “mandatory national vetting standards are not already in place” for the police.The Labour leader focused on policing failures during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 6 March, in the wake of a report into Sarah Everard’s death.“Serious failures in police vetting were raised in independent reports as long ago as 2012, 2019, 2022 and 2023. That is why has been arguing for mandatory national vetting standards,” Sir Keir said, before asking why they are not already in place.Mr Sunak did not directly answer the question but said it is “vital” for public confidence that those who are not fit to wear the badge are not able to join in the first place. More

MPs burst out laughing as Labour’s Angela Eagle asked Rishi Sunak which part of his economic policing is he most proud of.During Prime Minister’s Questions today (6 March), Ms Eagle asked: “Mr Speaker, which part of his economic legacy is the prime minister proud of? “Is it presiding over the highest tax burden since the Second World War or is it delivering the slowest real wage growth since the Napoleonic War?”Ms Eagle’s question was met with laughter and cheers.Mr Sunak replied: “Mr Speaker, saving 10 million jobs in the pandemic with the furlough scheme. More

Jeremy Hunt got locked out of Downing Street ahead of his crunch Budget announcement on Wednesday (6 March).Footage showed the chancellor walking towards the infamous No.11 door, but he was left standing awkwardly in front of it.Mr Hunt was eventually let in after giving a quick knock.The chancellor’s new plan is under considerable scrutiny as he promised a 2p tax cut to national insurance in the hopes of boosting Conservative popularity, with experts questioning if Britain can even afford such a move. More

The House of Commons deputy speaker warned MPs not to get “excited” as Jeremy Hunt was jeered at the beginning of his spring Budget statement.Dame Eleanor Laing said the behaviour was “not amusing” and that the chamber needed to hear what the chancellor had to say.“I can tell who is making the noise and you simply won’t get the chance to speak later,” she warned MPs.Mr Hunt said the government was in a position to deliver “permanent tax cuts” and billed his financial statement as a “Budget for long-term growth” on Wednesday 6 March. More

Sir Keir Starmer quizzed Rishi Sunak on how women and girls can have confidence in the criminal justice system “when almost all rapists don’t see the inside of a courtroom”.Mr Starmer made his comments as he pressed the prime minister to introduce mandatory national standards for police vetting following the murder of Sarah Everard.During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (6 March), the Labour leader said: Sarah Everard’s murder should have been a watershed moment on policing reform, but the sad reality is the victims of rape who have the courage and bravery to come forward have just a 2.4 percent chance of their perpetrators being caught.” More