Image source, House of Commons

Two of the country's top politicians faced grillings from MPs in Parliament today.

First up, this morning Chancellor Rachel Reeves faced a series of questions from the Treasury Select Committee over last month's Budget.

The session gave the cross-party group of MPs the chance to quiz the chancellor on the government's economic policies - including tax and spending plans.

But Reeves was also grilled about speculation over the contents of the Budget, in the run-up to the day it was announced - you can read more of the chancellor's response to questions over leaks here, and on some more specific policy announcements here.

Image source, House of Commons

Moments after came this week's Prime Minister's Questions, in which Kemi Badenoch pressed Keir Starmer on his work in a number of areas - including energy bills, education and policing.

The Tory leader also pressed the prime minister on his leadership, asking why he was being referred to as a "caretaker PM" by some in his own party. Starmer said he was concentrating on issues that matter to people.

We're ending our live coverage now - but you can read more about the chancellor's Treasury Select Committee appearance in our news story.

Did the number of teachers fall by 400 under Labour, as Badenoch claims?published at 13:34 GMT 10 December

13:34 GMT 10 December

By Tamara Kovacevic

Earlier at PMQs, Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch clashed over the number of teachers under Labour.

Asked how many extra teachers there were, Starmer replied “more than when they [the Conservatives] left office”.

Badenoch replied: “Wrong. There are now 400 fewer teachers.”

The latest statistics for teachers in England, external (the other nations run their own education systems) were published in June 2025.

They do show 400 fewer teachers in 2024, compared with 2023.

These figures are based on a School Workforce Census, conducted in November 2024. But we can’t tell whether the reduction happened under the Conservatives or under Labour - as both were in power during the previous 12 months.

We have asked the Department for Education whether they have any specific figures for teacher numbers under Labour.

Reeves's committee appearance suggests new line of defence over Budget income tax planspublished at 13:29 GMT 10 December

13:29 GMT 10 December

Faisal Islam
Economics editor

Earlier today - while appearing in front of the Treasury Select Committee - Chancellor Rachel Reeves came under pressure from MPs over both the accuracy, and an array of leaks and briefings, around the Budget.

She said they were “unacceptable”, that there was “too much speculation”, and that she was “frustrated” with damaging leaks.

There is an inquiry. However, a top Treasury official also confirmed that a previous leak inquiry had concluded that journalists were merely speculating about measures.

The chancellor was focussed on one leak in particular however, which she said was not an authorised briefing.

This was the Financial Times’s reporting of an apparent reversal on raising income tax rates, which she said was “partial and inaccurate” and gave the impression she was not going to significantly increase headroom.

This saw a notable gilt response, which is why Downing Street then made clarificatory statements. There is still some detail to unpick here.

It suggests some interesting new lines of defence about why the government changed tack on an income tax rate-related plan that was sent to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) in early November.

The chancellor pointed to the fact that the OBR would have analysed this tax rate policy and reported back to the Treasury on 11 November.

She also defended her focus in a key speech on the negative impact of the OBR downgrade to productivity, rather than offsetting increases in forecast tax revenues related to higher inflation.

She pointed out that cutting inflation was an aim of some of the Budget process.

The chancellor is suggesting, in essence, that the negative impact of the productivity downgrade was much more certain than the positive impact of inflation on tax revenues.

What’s happened to energy bills under Labour?published at 13:17 GMT 10 December

13:17 GMT 10 December

By Gerry Georgieva

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Kemi Badenoch and Keir Starmer argued about energy bills.

The Conservative leader said they had “risen by £187” since Labour came to power, despite a pre-election promise to cut them by £300.

Badenoch’s £187 figure refers to the change in the energy price cap, external. That cap was set to £1,568 in July to September 2024 but is currently £1,755. A total of £187 higher.

Labour’s £300 promise was linked to its plan to remove fossil fuels from UK electricity production by 2030.

The Labour leader responded to Badenoch by saying “we’re taking £150 off energy bills”.

That figure comes from changes in the Budget, external – the scrapping of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme and the reduction in the amount households pay towards the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme.

Scrapping the ECO scheme is projected to cut £59 a year off a typical household’s energy bill.

Another £88 a year will be cut by having the government - instead of consumers - pay for 75% of the RO scheme costs for the next three years.

At an average cost of £2.3bn a year,, external the independent Office for Budget Responsibility,, external says this change will lead to higher government borrowing.

Finally, £7 will be saved from VAT, getting the total saving figure to £154 a year, starting in April.

Vicki Young
Politics Live presenter

Kemi Badenoch used PMQs to tease Keir Starmer about the gossip going around Westminster that Labour MPs are referring to him as a "caretaker PM".

On Politics Live, the Labour grandee David Blunkett told me he’d spoken to some of the people who are rumoured to fancy a shot at the Labour party leadership - he said he’s been telling them: “The best thing to do is to get on with what you’re doing really well, and let’s see what happens down the line.”

He said that when he talked to Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, he quoted Lenin from 1917, saying: “Timing is everything in politics."

Lord Blunkett told me: “It’s been a really rocky eighteen months, we all know it has.”

When I asked him if he thinks Keir Starmer can turn it around, he told me “he’s got to” and went on to say: “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: get your act together and get on with it.”

• You can watch today's episode of Politics Live on iPlayer here

Image source, House of Commons

Here’s a recap of the key exchanges between the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch:

The Speaker warned barracking MPs that they aren’t part of Christmas panto season, but Kemi Badenoch managed to keep her side laughing, writes our political correspondent.

On Starmer's leadership

• Badenoch asked why Starmer's own MPs are calling him a “caretaker PM”, a label he firmly rejected as he went on to list achievements - such as improving cost of living and helping with energy bills.
• He said he is concentrating on the issues that matter to people while she’s concentrating on trying to save her job
• But Badenoch persisted in her attack, saying Labour MPs are so busy trying to replace him that they have taken their eyes off the ball

On energy, education and police legacy

• Pressed about how much energy bills have fallen by since the election, Starmer dodged the question and instead highlighted the number of Conservatives who have defected to Reform UK - "The real question is who’s next?” he said
• On education and police recruitment, Badenoch said there were fewer in the job since the Tories left government - Starmer rejected both claims

On Trump, trade and Europe

• Starmer refused to be drawn by a question from Lib Dem leader Ed Davey on Trump, who asked if the PM would call the president over the new US national security strategy
• The PM instead highlighted deals the UK had inked with the US and India, adding he would "always stand up for" European values of freedom and democracy
• He was similarly pressed about re-joining the EU by Liz Saville Roberts of Plaid Cymru, to which he firmly said it would not be sensible to unravel that progress by discussion over a customs' union

Image source, House of Commons

Blake Stephenson, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, tells the prime minister that digital ID is "intrusive and fundamentally un-British" and something the government has no mandate to implement.

"It's an attack on our open society and a staggering waste of taxpayers money, isn't it?" he asks.

Starmer says digital ID has "huge benefits" and says the Conservatives failed to control UK borders.

"We are taking control of our borders and I'm glad we're doing so".

We're continuing to bring you some more analysis on PMQs and Chancellor Rachel Reeves' questioning at the Treasury Committee earlier, but that ends our live coverage of today's political grilling - stick with us.

Ben Wright
Political correspondent

Image source, House of Commons

The prime minister says it’s a critical moment for Ukraine for Europe and our security.

But invited by Sir Ed Davey to criticise Donald Trump and the new US national security strategy, Starmer swerves any mention of the American president.

The PM is trying to walk a diplomatic tightrope right now that seems to be getting more frayed by the week.

Staying on the topic of Europe, Liz Saville Roberts of Plaid Cymru draws the prime minister's attention about how Wales has been affected by the "chaos imposed Brexit".

When will Starmer admit that the only solution is to re-join the customs' union and the single market, she asks.

"Or is he too afraid of what his party might say?"

Starmer again references deals with the US, jobs at Jaguar Land Rover and the pharmacy sector.

He says it would not be sensible to unravel that progress by discussion over a customs' union.

Image source, House of Commons

Badenoch knows her party is behind her - at least for nowpublished at 12:30 GMT 10 December

12:30 GMT 10 December

Ben Wright
BBC political correspondent

The Speaker warns barracking MPs that they aren’t part of Christmas panto season, but Kemi Badenoch has her side laughing along as she tries to make mischief out Keir Starmer’s leadership difficulties.

The two leaders trade statistics on their respective records in office but it’s Badenoch who struts like a leader who knows her side are fully behind her - at the moment anyway.

Davey stands up again - he says he didn't hear anything in Starmer's previous answer about standing up to Trump as he underlines the need to strengthen ties with Europe.

He says a customs union with Europe would be the best way to improve the UK's economy.

Starmer responds that the UK does "have a close relationship" with the EU, achieved through the "reset" earlier this year.

The prime minister adds that he does want a closer relationship and that they are moving towards that.

However, given the UK has now done "significant" trade deals with other countries - including the US and India - the prime minister says it would not be "sensible" now to unravel "what is effectively the best deal with the US that any country has got".

Image source, House of Commons

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey adds his condolences to the family and friends of Lance Corporal George Hooley.

He then congratulates Lando Norris and the team at McLaren on the British driver's F1 championship win.

He adds that Trump's new national security strategy is a "deeply alarming document" which he says repeats "far right tropes of civilisational erasure".

Davey says it is no wonder Putin "has welcomed that strategy".

He asks if the prime minister will pick up the phone and tell Trump that attempts to interfere with UK democracy are unacceptable.

Starmer replies by saying Europe is united behind values of freedom and democracy, freedoms he will "always stand up for".

An end-of-season PMQs gets a fiery reaction from the Commonspublished at 12:23 GMT 10 December

12:23 GMT 10 December

Chris Mason
Political editor

The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch sought to build a question sequence around the Prime Minister’s vulnerability and the government’s record.

Before the exchanges properly got going both the prime minister and Tory leader exchanged barbs about each other’s leaderships - Badenoch branding Starmer a "caretaker Prime Minister" - a label some Labour MPs have used in private.

And Starmer said Badenoch was trying to hold on to her job - with a Labour MP heckling her with the shouted line "bet you’re gone first".

What followed was a teasing set of questions about those talked up as prospective future Labour leaders — including the home secretary and health secretary — and their records in office.

The two leaders joshed back and forth, the exchanges having an end of season vibe to them. But there’s another outing this time next week before the Christmas break.

The leader of the opposition takes a broader swing at Starmer's government, and says "everything is getting worse" under Labour.

Badenoch adds that his cabinet should be doing their own jobs, but instead they're all "competing for the caretaker's job".

She then presses the PM to "admit that Labour is not working".

Starmer says Badenoch is "living proof you can say whatever you like when nobody is listening to anything you have to say".

The PM accuses the opposition leader of having "no credibility" on the economy, police or defence.

"No wonder so many are leaving her party, they know there's absolutely no reason to stay," he adds.

"Wrong," Badenoch repeats, as she responds to Starmer's claim that the Tories left an "utterly broken" criminal justice system.

She says that there are in fact fewer police officers since the election.

She then moves on to health, and asks him how many appointments have been lost to strikes since last July.

Starmer says the Tories left the NHS "in an absolute mess" and says Labour have provided five million extra appointments because they have invested in healthcare.

The Tories "should hang their heads in shame", he adds.

In response to Starmer's last answer, Badenoch now rises and says "wrong".

She says there are now 400 fewer teachers since the education secretary came into office - saying the statistics are spelled out on the Department for Education website.

Turning to the Home Office, Badenoch cites a Labour pledge to recruit 13,000 more police officers.

"How's that going?"

Starmer responds that there will be "3,000 more by the end of March", adding police numbers are rising.

He then criticises the Tory legacy - saying they left the criminal justice system "utterly broken".

He cites Liz Truss as saying the Tories need to take responsibility for 14 years of failure as he suggests Badenoch might "get up and say sorry".

Badenoch repeats the same question she asked Starmer about energy bills.

"You could power the national grid on all of that hot air," she says, adding that energy bills have risen despite Labour promises to cut them.

She adds that Labour pledged to recruit 6,500 more teachers and asks how many they have actually managed to recruit.

"More than when they left office," replies Starmer, who goes on to attack the previous government on their record on health and the economy.

"They should be utterly ashamed of their record in service."

• Our Verify team are looking at the numbers on energy bills - we'll have a post from them soon

Image source, House of Commons

Next, Badenoch presses Starmer on whether he has a grip of his party and government.

This is received with heckling, which prompts the Speaker Lindsay Hoyle to ask those in the Commons to shush.

Badenoch asks the PM by how much energy bills have fallen since the general election.

In response, the PM goes on to list former Tory MPs who have defected to Reform UK. He says that as many as 21 former Tory MPs have left for Reform - adding that the "real question is who's next".

"We need no lessons from them [Tories]," Starmer adds.

Starmer anwers Badenoch's question by saying his own MPs are "very proud" - they've passed a Budget that protects public services like the NHS.

"We created the conditions for economic stability with the headroom we need," the PM says.

He says he's concentrating on the single most important issue - cost of living.

He then hits back at Badenoch's "caretaker" claim, by saying he's focused on what matters to the country while she is "trying to save her job".

Image source, House of Commons

Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch opens PMQs by echoing Starmer's comments on Lance Corporal George Hooley.

She then asks a straightforward question: "Can [Starmer] tell the House why his own MPs are describing him as a caretaker prime minister?"