Politics live: Elgin Marbles and immigration raised at heated PMQs
Rishi Sunak faced a difficult PMQs today following rows over the Elgin Marbles and the latest immigration figures.
Earlier MPs heard from the Scottish Secretary Alister Jack at Scottish Questions, while the Chancellor is now being grilled on the Autumn Statement by the Treasury Commitment.
Snow worries
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn opens by saying Scottish families will be feeling dread over energy bill as it gets colder, and asks the Prime Minister if he regrets not providing more support.
Rishi Sunak replies listing the support that was given.
Empty chair
Tory MP Rehman Chesti criticises Rishi Sunak over the Tory record on tackling Islamophobia, which he says represented 44 per cent of religiously aggravated offences last year. Points out the independent advisor on Islamophobia role has been left vacant for a year. Adds: “Enough is enough”.
Last man standing
Tory MP Sir Jeremy Wright tells the Commons his 110-year-old constituent was visiting Downing Street today, and it would be worth the Prime Minister meeting him.
He explained: "It may be a useful conversation...I think it's fair to say John has experience at surviving against the odds".
Greek tragedy
Here's a video from earlier in the session, where Sir Keir Starmer defied expectations by being actually funny.
Earlier at Scottish Questions, Labour claimed plans to close an oil refinery in central Scotland are a “hammer blow” to nearby communities.
Shadow Scotland secretary Ian Murray told the Commons: “The announcement to close the refinery at Grangemouth is a hammer blow. Too many communities are still living with the devastation from being left behind after coal mine closures in the 1980s. This must not be allowed to happen again.
“Grangemouth’s owner is buying football clubs and investing in plants elsewhere while the workers here lose out, and the Prime Minister has decided a culture war on the environment trumps getting the UK into the global green energy race by backing Labour’s green energy superpower plans.”
Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland, said it was a "very worrying time for those whose jobs are at risk at the Grangemouth refinery", and the Government was in talks with Holyrood.
Interlude
For my money, that was one of the most one-sided PMQs in memory, with Sir Keir Starmer managing not to miss the numerous open goals created by the Government.
Now we've got a little time before Jeremy Hunt appears before the Treasury Committee, so why not go for a walk, make a nice lunch, or perhaps enjoy reading some of the many fine pieces on The Scotsman.
I'm going to make some noodles, more updates shortly.
On the hunt
Jeremy Hunt is now appearing before the Treasury Committee, where he will have to explain his Autumn Statement.
Given he was admitting the tax burden was still at a record high less than 24 hours after it, this could be very, very difficult.
Enough of experts
Jeremy Hunt channels his inner Michael Gove by dismissing the OBR forecasts which show his Government is going to deliver even worse growth than previously forecast.
He tells the committee the forecasters should remember there was a "volatile period", and says they have never really got anything right.
Still, the Chancellor says forecasters should still exist, which is generous of him.
Trust exercise
Labour's Siobhain McDonagh has used her first question to absolutely go for Jeremy Hunt, asking "how stupid do you think the British people are?".
The Chancellor replies with a bunch of historic policies, rather than addressing the substance of her question.
Compassionate Conservatism
The Chancellor has ruled out the prospect of the UK returning to its aid spending target within the next five years.
The Chancellor said Britain could not afford 0.7 per cent of gross national income on official developmental assistance.
He said: “I don’t believe it is possible to budget for that in the figures in the next five years".
For the record, he voted against cutting it at the time, but has of course changed his mind now he's a minister.
World view
Jeremy Hunt says immigration is "too high" and it is "wrong for businesses to be filling their vacancies with people from overseas when we've got people here at home who are not working and would be better off if they were working".
Blue murder
To give you an idea of how badly that PMQs went for Rishi Sunak, here is a Tory MP breaking convention by actively saying it.
Forecast fight
Asked about the worst drop in household income ever, the Chancellor says this parliament has had a once-in-a-century pandemic and an energy shock.
Challenged on forecasts that there is a 50 per cent chance of a recession next year, Mr Hunt says forecasters were wrong about one happening this year.
Call of duty
Asked if he'll freeze fuel duty, which the Chancellor always does, Jeremy Hunt insists it's a temporary freeze, and plans will be announced next year.
Happy to offer good odds on him not freezing it again, and then, if you're interested, I've also got a bridge to sell.
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