PMQs live: Starmer says 643 Britons died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan in implicit rebuke to JD Vance
Starmer tells MPs 643 Britons died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, in implicit rebuke to JD Vance
Keir Starmer starts by saying tomorrow will mark 13 years since six soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. He names all six of them.
And it is the 18th anniversary of the death of a solider killed in Helmland, he says.
He says these people were fighting for their country. In Iraq and Afghanistan 643 individuals died, and many more were injured, he says.
Starmer dies not mention JD Vance at all, but this is a powerful rebuke to what Vance said yesterday.
Key events
David Davis (Con) says a coroner found that members of the SAS unlawfully killed four IRA terrorists in Northern Ireland in 1992. But he says he has read the evidence and found nothing to back up this verdict. He says inquests like this do not take evidence from the terrorist leaders.
Starmer says he has not looked at the detail of this case. But he defends the government getting rid of the Legacy Act, saying it was not supported in Northern Ireland.
Richard Foord (Lib Dem) says JD Vance should have more respect for British servicemen who died fighting.
Starmer says we should remember the sacrifice made by members of the armed forces.
Marie Tidball (Lab) asks if the government will stop the presumption that abusive parents should continue to have contact with their children.
Starmer says the family courts should never be used as a tool by abusers. He praises Tidball for her campaigning on this.
Oliver Dowden (Con) says two private schools in his constituency are closing because of the decision to put VAT on school fees.
Starmer says he does not doubt the aspiration parents have. But he says he wants all children to have a good eductation.
Emma Lewell-Buck (Lab) asks the government to commit to phased removal of asbestos from public buildings.
Starmer says he will arrange a meeting for Lewell-Buck with a minister about this.
Ian Sollom (Lib Dem) asks about the government’s strategy for skills, particularly in a way that would help the defence sector.
Starmer says he wants to see more skilled jobs, and jobs “with a real sense of pride”.
Paul Davies (Lab) asks about the government’s plans for breakfast clubs in schools.
Starmer says the first 750 clubs will open in April. This will save families up to £450 a year. Two of the clubs will be in Badenoch’s constituency, he says.
Kim Johnson (Lab) asks about an investigation showing black children were disproportionally treated as “sub-normal” in the 1960s and 1970s. She asks for an investigation.
Starmer says he will arrange a meeting with a relevant minister.
Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru leader, asks the government to review its fiscal reviews instead of cutting the aid budget.
Starmer says Plaid voted against giving Wales an extra £1.6bn for public services.
Steve Race (Lab) asks about special educational needs and disabilities (Send) education.
Starmer says Send education was in disarray when Labour came into power. In Race’s region (Devon), extra support is being provided, he says.
Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, also asks about reports that the US has asked the UK not to share intelligence with Ukraine. Does the PM still think they are reliable ally? And what is his plan B if they are not?
Starmer says of course the UK and the US cooperate. He says the US is a reliable ally. And he is working on a peace plan, backed by the US.
Davey asks if Starmer thinks Andrew Tate and his brother should be extradited to the UK to face trial. Will Starmer ask Trump for this?
Starmer says there is a limit to what he can say, because this is a live case. But he says “justice must be done”.
Badenoch asks about farmers, saying they are facing economic security.
Starmer says until that point they were “doing so well” (ie, agreeing). He says the government had to fill a £22bn black hole.
Badenoch asks if talks on a trade deal with the US have started.
Starmer says he spoke about this with the president and he says the US and UK teams are starting to talk about a deal.
