At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer opened by condemning the anti-Semitic terror attack at Bondi Beach and said he had spoken with UK security and community leaders to help protect Hanukkah events, reaffirming a crackdown on antisemitism and hate crime.
Starmer was pressed on a UK scholarship scheme for students from Gaza due to expire on 31 December. He said the government was working on solutions for those unable to leave and wanted students to take up their places, pointing to an existing medical evacuation scheme for children.
The Leader of the Opposition attacked Starmer over economic performance, claiming unemployment has risen and accusing Labour of breaking promises on taxes, including national insurance and frozen income tax thresholds. Starmer defended the government’s record, citing jobs created, lower inactivity, and policies aimed at easing living costs. The exchange also escalated into arguments over business rates, support for pubs and hospitality, and whether to restrict doctors’ strike action during a severe winter flu wave.
Other questions ranged widely: support for Ukraine (including a move to release frozen proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC intended for Ukraine aid), tougher action against antisemitism including security funding and a review of protest and hate-crime laws, NHS pressures and vaccination, social care pay and conditions, water pollution and accountability, road safety enforcement, immigration rule changes affecting health and care workers, and the case of Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai.
