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As it happenedended

PMQs live: Jeremy Corbyn attacks Theresa May over nurses' pay at first PMQs after summer break

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn go head-to-head for the first time after the summer recess

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
,Lizzy Buchan
Wednesday 15 November 2017 06:05 EST
Comments
Theresa May: Corbyn continually asks for money to be spent on "this, that and the other"

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Welcome to The Independent’s live blog of the first Prime Minister’s Questions of the new parliamentary session.

Welcome to The Independent’s live blog of the first Prime Minister’s Questions of the new parliamentary session. It comes after a leaked document revealed Government proposals for immigration curbs after Brexit.

The blueprint for Britain’s new immigration system – which would strip all newly-arrived EU migrants of their rights to live permanently in the UK – triggered a furious backlash within hours.

But with Labour still divided on the issue of immigration it is unlikely that Mr Corbyn will want to dwell on the issue for all of his six questions. He is much more likely to exploit reports that the Government is planning to end the controversial public sector pay cap – introduced by the coalition government in 2010.

The Labour leader could also use the first Prime Minister’s Questions of the parliamentary session to challenge Ms May on the fragility of her Government and the Cabinet splits exposed over the summer months following the inconclusive general election result in June.

Ashley Cowburn6 September 2017 12:19

The SNP's leader in Westminster is now up. He asks about immigration - and the leak. "Last October the PM was forced into a humiliating u-turn over asking firms to say how many foreign workers they employ... we need to cherish those who are here and not chase them... the PM needs to stop dancing to the tune of her own right-wing backbenchers." 

He asks whether international students will still be included in the net migration figures. May refuses to answer the question. 

Ashley Cowburn6 September 2017 12:23

Ashley Cowburn6 September 2017 12:26

Ruth Smeeth, a Labour MP, says she is "disgusted" with this Government over children going hungry over the school holidays. 

May says her Government is concentrating on tackling the root causes of poverty. 

Ashley Cowburn6 September 2017 12:27

Luciana Berger says the state will "have blood on its hands" over its failure to improve mental health care provisions in the UK.

The PM Says the Government needs to do more on mental health provision and is putting more money into this area. 

Ashley Cowburn6 September 2017 12:31

Ashley Cowburn6 September 2017 12:34

Ashley Cowburn6 September 2017 12:36

Nigel Dodds, the DUP MP, asks the PM for an assurance there will be no joint authority with Ireland in the event of direct rule over Northern Ireland being introduced - May says she can give her ally in the DUP that assurance.

Ashley Cowburn6 September 2017 12:37

Ashley Cowburn6 September 2017 12:44

Oddly, in the exchanges between May and Corbyn, Brexit wasn't mentioned once.

Instead a range of issues were raised: workers striking in McDonalds, tax increases, the public sector pay cap and food banks. May was generally evasive on the range of issues. 

Brexit was raised, however, by the Tory MP Anna Soubry who asked about amendments to the Government's EU Withdrawal Bill (repeal bill) - and May hinted she was willing to consider some of the amendments. 

Ashley Cowburn6 September 2017 12:50

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