Deputy PM refuses to rule out tax rises - but vows to take on Labour welfare rebels

Starmer: UK will reach 4.1% of GDP defence spending in 2027

Sir Keir Starmer is now addressing the NATO summit at The Hague, beginning with a discussion of the conflict between Israel and Iran.

He says: "We need to make sure the ceasefire holds, and seize this opportunity to stabilise the region - and get Iran around the negotiating table with the United States."

Ultimately, Starmer says, this is how "we will ensure" a complete end to Iran's nuclear programme.

The prime minister turns to Ukraine, pledging not to "lose focus" on the war with Russia - and the "rising threats to Euro-Atlantic security". 

He says: "In the face of those threats, I've long argued that this is the moment to unite for Europe to make a fundamental shift in its posture, and for NATO to meet this challenge head on. 

"And that is what we have done today, with the UK at the forefront. 

"NATO allies have agreed a new defence investment pledge, raising defence and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, making NATO stronger, fairer and more lethal than ever."

He sets out a timeline for this, with allies agreeing to "review this pledge in 2029".

"The new National Security Strategy sets out our plans and priorities across these areas," Starmer says.

"Under the NATO new definitions, we estimate that we will reach at least 4.1% of GDP in 2027."

Starmer holds news conference at NATO summit

The prime minister is holding a news conference at the NATO summit in The Hague, the Netherlands.

It comes as allies agree to an "ironclad commitment" to collective defence, including investing 5% of GDP on defence and security.

You can watch Keir Starmer's statement and subsequent questions from the media in the stream above, and we'll bring you updates too.

Rayner holds firm in face of rebellion - with just days left to save welfare plans

Angela Rayner may be a seasoned hand at Deputy PMQs, but this is an extraordinary week. 

The government is facing down a full-blown rebellion on its plans to cut the welfare bill, with around one in four Labour MPs willing to back an amendment that would effectively kill it in its tracks.

One in four MPs. Less than a year into government.

Today, Rayner confirmed the crunch vote will go ahead next Tuesday. 

But there are just days to save the bill and prove this is a government that can push through its agenda without being at the mercy of its own MPs.

Mel Stride, a former welfare secretary himself, standing in at DPMQs for the first time, asked if she is "just a little embarrassed?"

A fundamental question for Labour

The deputy PM has faced down several opponents at PMQs, from Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab to Chris Philp last week, and knows how to command the chamber and did so today, turning the question on to the Tories' economic record. 

But she also knows the government being defeated on a flagship policy this early on is more than just embarrassing. 

The welfare issue speaks to a fundamental question in the Labour Party. 

Is it a party, as the name suggests, that is about getting people to work, or about rolling out the state to help the most vulnerable. 

A bigger challenge to come

A darling of the Labour left, Rayner today had to publicly defend a bill the government estimates would put 250,000 people into poverty. 

Behind the scenes, we understand she is on board with the reforms and there were no hints otherwise today. 

The biggest challenge at DPMQs could have come from the benches behind her, but Labour MPs kept quiet on welfare. That doesn't mean there isn't trouble ahead, and persuading those 120+ MPs is the bigger challenge she and her cabinet colleagues face over the coming days. 

Starmer meets Erdogan at The Hague

While his deputy was doing PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer has met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoganat the NATO summit at The Hague.

The prime minister, who stood next to Erdogan for a family photograph earlier, was accompanied by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Defence Secretary John Healey and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.

Neither the prime minister nor the president spoke while media were in the room.

Corbyn questions UK's support for Israel - and asks deputy PM to back independent inquiry

Wrapping up PMQs is former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

He asks about 86 people who were killed in Gaza by Israeli forces, and another 56 who were shot dead while queuing for food.

"Israel stands condemned for acts of genocide for war crimes for their occupation of Gaza and their activities in the West Bank," he says, and asks why Britain still supplies parts for F-25 jets used by Israel in Gaza.

He also asks if Angela Rayner will support his private member's bill, calling for an independent inquiry into UK policies on Israel and Gaza.

Rayner: Israel's recent conduct appalling

The deputy prime minister says Israel's recent action is "appalling and counter-productive".

She says the UK strongly opposes "the expansion of military operations" and the blocking of aid.

"It's a long-standing principle that genocide is determined by competent international courts and not for governments," she says.

Rayner adds the UK does not sell arms trades "directly to the IDF" that might breach international humanitarian law.

Rayner pressed for 'cast-iron guarantee' on PIP cuts

Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, is now asking about changes to the personal independent payments (PIP).

She says an expected Labour rebellion means the government might have to rely on the opposition to get their welfare cuts through.

'Welfare system is failing,' says Rayner

She asks for a "cast iron guarantee" that if the cuts are passed, not a single person will lose a penny until the carers' allowance scandal review is complete and recommendations implemented.

The review is looking at DWP attempts to claw back £251m from unpaid carers after many unwittingly went over the benefit earnings threshold.

Rayner says the government has taken steps on the carers' allowance scandal.

She goes on to say the "welfare system is failing people". 

Cooper said it was "disappointing" Rayner couldn't give a cast-iron guarantee, and if the welfare cuts go through the Lib Dems will pursue the matter.

'Businesses have been put on notice - tax rises are coming'

Next, Mel Stride claims that Britain's businesses have "today been put on notice - tax rises are coming".

He asks Angela Rayner about projected council tax rises - despite Labour claiming they will not raise taxes on working people.

"Why she doesn't think council tax is paid by working people?"

Rayner responds that council tax rose "every single year" under the Tory government.

She accuses the Conservatives of putting taxes up and "ruining the British economy".

Tories 'left country in a mess'

Stride comes back, saying: "When you cut out the blather, isn't the reality that this Labour government has condemned us to higher taxes, more debt, fewer jobs" and increased inflation.

Yet Rayner tells us the plan is working, he says.

He asks whether she is embarrassed to be defending policies she doesn't agree with herself.

Rayner takes aim at the Tories again, saying they should be embarrassed "for the mess they left our country in".

Rayner refuses to repeat chancellor's promise on tax rises

Next, Mel Stride asks Angela Rayner if she will repeat Rachel Reeves' promise not to raise taxes at the next budget. 

The deputy prime minister makes no such commitment, and instead attacks the Tories on their record on welfare and tax rises. 

The Conservatives have said they will support Labour's welfare cuts only if they can make certain commitments, including getting people into work and not rising taxes. 

Rayner: I'll take no lectures from Tories

Stride said that "every respectable economist says tax rises are inevitable" and asks Rayner to "give business certainty now and repeat to the house the chancellor's promise not to raise taxes?"

Rayner says his question is "a bit rich"  as the Tories raised taxes to record highs, while the welfare bill "ballooned" under their leadership. 

She said she will "take no lectures" from the Conservatives, saying they have "no plan and no idea". 

Rayner insists welfare vote will go ahead in wake of rebellion

Mel Stride is standing in for Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch today, as deputy prime minister Angela Rayner takes the reins at PMQs.

He begins his round of questions, predictably, on welfare reforms - and a burgeoning rebellion in the Labour Party.

Stride says that rebels say that the welfare bill is "dangerously rushed" and "ill-thought through".

He asks Rayner to explain why she thinks she is right - while 122 of her colleagues are wrong.

Government risks humiliating defeat

The deputy prime minister says Labour won't "abandon millions of people trapped in the failing system left behind by him and his colleagues".

Stride comes back, accusing Rayner of being unable to defend her own government's policy.

But will the welfare vote on Tuesday go ahead?

"We will go ahead on Tuesday," Rayner says, setting up a parliamentary battle between the government and its own backbenchers.

Our political editor Beth Rigby has said defeat for Keir Starmer would be humiliating, given the huge majority he enjoys.

-SKY NEWS