Oliver Dowden faces Angela Rayner as deputies square up at PMQs – UK politics live

Sarah Jones (Lab) says Susan Hall, the Tory candidate for London mayor, has endorsed Islamaphobic tropes on social media, defended Enoch Powell and said black communities have a problem with crime. Can Dowden really support her?

Dowden ignores the points Jones raised, and attacks Sadiq Khan’s record on crime.

Virginia Crosbie (Con) asks if the government will support a third bridge to Anglesey, her constituency.

Dowden criticises the Welsh government for not prioritising new roads.

Mhairi Black, the deputy leader of the SNP, says when mass graves were discovered in Ukraine, the Commons was united in condemndation. Yesterday Palestinian officials uncovered two mass graves outside the bombed hosptials in Gaza. This is also a war crime, isn’t it?

Dowden says the government expects Israel to investigate allegations of misconduct, and that is what it is doing. But he says he is surprised Black is comparing Israel to Russia.

Black says the mere suspicion of war crimes should be enough for arms sales to be suspended.

Dowden says Israel is investigating these deaths. And he says the government recently considered the case for arms sales to Israel, and decided they could continue.

Rayner says both parties want defence spending to go up to 2.5%. But it is the Tories who have cut the size of the army to its smallest size since the Napoleon era.

She refers to reports claiming Dowden is recommending an early election to minimise Tory loses. When Dowden ditched Boris Johnson, did he realise the party was getting rid of its best election winner for a “pint-sized loser”.

Dowden ends with another jibe at Rayner’s housing arrangements.

Rayner says, unlike Dowden, she thinks housing is an issue for people. She says Tory councils have also faced bankruptcy proceedings.

People are at risk of losing their homes because of Liz Truss’s mini budget. But Truss says it was her proudest moment. Since she won’t apologise, will Dowden?

Dowden says the PM and the chancellor have brought inflation down. And they have promised the biggest increase in defence spending for a generation. Labour won’t say if it will match it. Rayner voted to scrap Trident, she says.

Rayner says Dowden has not read the leasehold legislation. The ban will not affect many people. It is like banning non-doms, but exempting the PM.

She says Andy Street has only built a tiny number of social homes as West Midlands mayor.

Dowden criticises the record of the Labour council in Birmingham. Tory mayors deliver more for less, he claims.

Rayner says the bill does not do that.

When will the government end leasehold for flats?

Dowden says the government is addressing this. He says government policies can only be paid for with a strong economy. But Rayner’s employment reforms would open the door to “French-style wildcat strikes”.

And the one Thatcherite reform Rayner will not repeal is the right to buy your council house.

Rayner says Dowden has not read the bill. The minister cannot say when no-fault evicitions will be ended. When will it be?

Dowden says they are voting today.

Angela Rayner says Frank Field was a good friend and colleague. She pays tribute.

Tories are obsessed with her living arrangements, she says. But she says people are interested in what the government will do about theirs. She mentions the case of someone facing eviction, and asks what the Tories are doing to get rid of no-fault evictions.

Dowden says it is a pleasure to be facing Rayner again at PMQs. Any more sessions like this and she will be claiming this is her primary residence.

He says MPs are voting on no-fault evictions today.

Jonathan Gullis (Con) lists some of the things he has done as an MP for his constituents. But Labour-led Stoke council have undermined by what he has done through various measures, he claims. Crime and anti-social behaviour are increasing because of where the council is “dumping” people. He asks if Dowden agrees that Stoke-on-Trent Labour should “axe the garden tax”.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle interrupts Gullis, saying he has gone on enough.

Dowden says there is not much he can add. But he claims Labour councils across the council are letting people down.

And Gullis is right in “holding rogue landlords to account”, he says.

That is his first reference to Angela Rayner.

Oliver Dowden starts by saying MPs will want to offer their condolences to the family and friends of Frank Field. He was an outstanding parliamentarian, he says.

And he wishes the Jewish community a happy Passover. It is a celebration of freedom, he says. But he says we remember the hostages in Gaza.

Nigel Farage will be allowed to present his nightly GB News programme throughout the general election campaign, Ofcom has confirmed, after the media regulator said there was no clear desire among the British public to stop politicians presenting shows on news channels. Jim Waterson has the story here.

Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question at PMQs.

Jonathan Gullis, who is down to ask the first question, is a deputy chair of the Conservative party and one of the Tories who has been most critical of Angela Rayner on social media. He may be tempted to use his slot to get “housegate” on to the agenda before the Rayner/Dowden exchanges start.

But, judging by his post on X this morning, he made ask something of more interest to his constituents.

We would like to hear from readers who have a memory to share of Frank Field. If you are interested, please submit a contribution here.