Sir Keir Starmer is facing tough questions in the Commons as pressure mounts over the government’s handling over the China spy case.
No 10 has clashed with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after it accused it of having blocked the publication of a crucial witness statement, leading to the collapse of the case.
The CPS hit back, and insisted it was entirely up to the Government to release the evidence if it wanted to.
The row is likely to be put in the spotlight as Starmer and Kemi Badenoch face off at PMQs for the first time in weeks.
Sir Keir said he was “deeply disappointed” in the outcome of the case and said in recent weeks there had been “baseless allegations” put forward by the Tories.
The prime minister will also likely face questions on comments made by Rachel Reeves earlier, as she admitted she is considering potential tax hikes and spending cuts in her Budget.
Ms Reeves told Sky News the economy was still suffering from the impacts of leaving the European Union, austerity policies and Liz Truss’s mini-budget.
Key Points
- Starmer facing grilling in the Commons
- Downing Street and law chiefs clash over China spy case evidence
- Reeves hints at tax rises and spending cuts in Budget
- Reeves blames Brexit for Britain's economic woes
- UK faces highest inflation in G7 in pre-Budget blow for Reeves
Analysis: Starmer tries – and fails - to draw a line under China spy row
12:13
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Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Keir Starmer started PMQs by making a statement on the China spy row – in which he said he had decided to publish the witness statement at the centre of the row over the collapse of the case.He came out fighting, telling the Tory leader Kemi Badenoch that were it not for the former government led by her party ”we would not be where we are”.
But his remarks merely opened the door to more questions.
And with the soon-to-be published witness statement yet to land, the PM failed to draw a line under the issue.
Tory Brexiteer humiliated in Commons clash over Northern Ireland
12:11
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Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Hillary Benn has hit back at Tory Brexiteer Andrew Rosindell, who said “severedly restricted trade” between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a “disgrace”.
The Northern Ireland secretary pointed to Mr Rosindell’s own record in advocating for Brexit.He said: “I’d just say to those who advocated that we should leave the European Union, this is the consequence of it. Because you had an open border two, two different jurisdictions. How are you going to deal with trade in those circumstances?
“Secondly, the goods are flowing, the goods are moving. If you look at the evidence, the Northern Ireland economy in the second quarter grew by 2 per cent. That is not indicative of a problem.”
Starmer deals with China spying scandal before he can be asked a question
12:10
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Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Keir Starmer has used the start of PMQs to make a statement on the China spying scandal knowing that Kemi Badenoch is going to ask repeated questions on it.
With the support of the Speaker he is explaining why the case collapsed and is attempting to pin the blame on the last Tory government because of its policy.
“Had the Conservatives been quicker in updating our legislation this wouldn’t have happened.”
He insists: “No minister or special adviser played any role in this matter.”
Nevertheless he is still under pressure over why key evidence was not handed over.Starmer is now set to publish the witness statements in full to be transparent.
Starmer condemns death threats against Nigel Farage
12:08
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Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has sought to cool rising tensions between himself and Nigel Farage, condemning a death threat made against the Reform UK leader.
The prime minister was accused by Mr Farage of fuelling violence against him after repeatedly criticising him during Labour’s conference in Liverpool.
Opening prime minister’s questions, Sir Keir said: "Today marks four years since the horrific murder of Sir David. Famous Sir David was much loved across the house, kind and generous, I know it was a huge loss to many members.
“As we remember, Sir David and Jo Cox, of course, I want to take this opportunity to condemn unequivocally the death threat made against the Honorable Member for Clacton [Mr Farage].
“I know that our house will welcome the justice that has been done, whatever our disagreements, we are all parliamentarians, and I won't stand for violence or threats against our democracy.”
Starmer explains China spy case
12:06
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Athena Stavrou
At the outset of PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer sought to explain the government’s position on the collapsed China spy case.
He said he was “deeply disappointed” in the outcome of the case and said in recent weeks there had been “baseless allegations” put forward by the Tories.
PMQs kicks off in the Commons
12:02
,
Athena Stavrou
This week’s PMQs has begun in the Commons.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing questions from the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Topics likely to be raised include the government’s handling of the China spy case, potential tax hikes and more.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
PMQs to begin shortly
11:50
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer is set to face questions in the Commons shortly.
It is the first time he and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch have faced off in weeks.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
Starmer leaves No10 for PMQs
11:40
,
Athena Stavrou
Downing Street and law chiefs clash over China spy case evidence
11:23
,
Athena Stavrou
Downing Street has clashed with the Crown Prosecution Service over the release of evidence said to be vital to explaining why the China spy case collapsed.
Sir Keir Starmer’s government is at odds with the agency over a claim it blocked the publication of a witness statement at the heart of the case.
Cabinet secretary Chris Wormald is understood to have been prepared to publish a government witness statement central to the withdrawal of espionage charges against two men accused of spying for Beijing in Parliament.
However, lawyers in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) were said to have blocked the move.
But the CPS hit back, and insisted it was entirely up to the government to release the evidence if it wanted to.
The government may now be forced to publish the key evidence in the case, with a minister saying they are “looking at what the options are”.
Home secretary: Britain has lost control of its borders
11:17
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Athena Stavrou
Britain has lost control of its borders and is fuelling a loss of trust in politics, the home secretary will warn on Wednesday.
Shabana Mahmood is to issue the warning as she hosts her counterparts from across the Western Balkans, as well as other European allies, at a summit in London.
In one of the most stark assessments of the impact of small boat crossings on public trust in government, Ms Mahmood is to say it risks undermining “the credibility of the state itself”.
She will insist that Britain can only stem the flow of migrants arriving on small boats through international cooperation.
What is happening today?
11:00
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Athena Stavrou
It is yet another busy day in government, with several notable things happening today.
- Sir Keir Starmer will face PMQs for the first time in weeks in the Commons.
- The PM will likely face questions on the government’s handling of the China spy case, and Rachel Reeve’s comments on potential tax hikes.
- Rachel Reeves is attending the annual International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting today in Washington DC, after the IMF warned UK inflation will surge to the highest in the G7 in 2025 and 2026.
- In the High Court, Epping Forest District Council’s bid to block the use of the Bell Hotel as accommodation for asylum seekers is set to be heard.
Full story: Reeves admits she’s looking at tax rises and spending cuts in Budget
10:52
,
Athena Stavrou
Analysis: Under pressure Starmer and Badenoch to go head to head for first time in weeks
10:31
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports:
Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch will face off at PMQs today for the first time in weeks, after a party conference season which saw both of them stable their respective ships – for now.
But the Labour leader is expected to come under intense pressure over the recent collapse of the China spying trial.
And the Tory leader will still have to convince her restless backbenchers that her conference speech - in which she unveiled her big policy of scrapping stamp duty - was not a one-off.
Reeves eyes tax hikes as economy suffers ‘severe and long-lasting’ Brexit impact
10:16
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Athena Stavrou
Rachel Reeves acknowledged she was looking at potential tax rises and spending cuts to fill a black hole in her Budget - which she said was partly due to the lingering impact of Brexit.
The chancellor said “austerity, Brexit, and the ongoing impact of Liz Truss’s mini-budget, all of those things have weighed heavily on the UK economy”.
“Already, people thought that the UK economy would be 4 per cent smaller because of Brexit,” she said.
“Now, of course, we are undoing some of that damage by the deal that we did with the EU earlier this year on food and farming, goods moving between us and the continent, on energy and electricity trading, on an ambitious youth mobility scheme.
“But there is no doubting that the impact of Brexit is severe and long lasting and that’s why we are trying to do trade deals around the world, US, India, but most importantly with the EU so that our exporters here in Britain have a chance to sell things made here all around the world.”
Badenoch hits back at Reeves' tax rise comments
09:59
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Athena Stavrou
Kemi Badenoch has launched an attack on Rachel Reeves after the chancellor admitted she was considering tax hikes in the upcoming Budget.
The Conservative leader wrote on X: “After her tax bombshell in last year's budget, Rachel Reeves promised she wouldn't be coming back for more. Now she finally admits tax rises are coming.
“There is an alternative - cut spending and lower taxes. Only the @Conservatives have a plan for a stronger economy.”
After her tax bombshell in last year's budget, Rachel Reeves promised she wouldn't be coming back for more. Now she finally admits tax rises are coming.
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) October 15, 2025
There is an alternative - cut spending and lower taxes. Only the @Conservatives have a plan for a stronger economy. pic.twitter.com/ZCxlPvQDCu
Watch: Reeves blames Brexit for Britain's economic woes
09:46
,
Athena Stavrou
Defence secretary at Nato meeting
09:34
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Athena Stavrou
Away from the UK, John Healey is currently in Brussels for a Nato summit.
The defence secretary is meeting other minister’s of defence as he warned the UK and Nato members will ramp up their response to Putin’s aggression.
Reeves facing black hole of up to £50bn
09:20
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Athena Stavrou
Economists have warned that the chancellor is facing a black hole of up to £50bn at her next Budget, but has been told she cannot afford to tinker at the margins “by picking from a Scrabble bag” of smaller tax increases.
Leading tax expert Dan Neidle, the founder of Tax Policy Associates, said the “wise” way for Ms Reeves to increase taxes would be “raising one of the main taxes, possibly by expanding the base of VAT, which may or may not break a manifesto pledge”.
Reeves to attend IMF meeting after inflation blow
09:05
,
Athena Stavrou
Rachel Reeves is set to attend the annual International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting today in Washington DC.
The chancellor will meet G7 finance ministers and attend a Ukraine roundtable before a G20 ministerial dinner on Wednesday.
It comes after the IMF warned UK inflation will surge to the highest in the G7 in 2025 and 2026.
Watch: Expert warns Rachel Reeves to raise major taxes and reform others as he warns of 'desperate' situation
08:55
,
Athena Stavrou
UK faces highest inflation in G7 in pre-Budget blow for Reeves
08:48
,
Athena Stavrou
Rachel Reeves has been delivered another major blow ahead of next month’s make-or-break Budget as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned inflation will surge to the highest in the G7 in 2025 and 2026.
The latest outlook report suggests British households will face the fastest-growing costs among the G7 group of advanced economies, driven in part by rising food and hospitality prices.
Its report, described as “grim”, casts doubt on the Bank of England’s hopes of bringing interest rates back down to the 2 per cent target rate in the near future.
The IMF said price inflation in the UK would increase more sharply than previous predictions in July; it now expects UK inflation to average at 3.4 per cent in 2025, rather than 3.2 per cent, and 2.5 per cent in 2026 next year, up from 2.3 per cent.
It also trimmed its growth prediction for 2026 amid concerns over the jobs market – but raised its forecast for this year.
Full story: Reeves admits she’s looking at tax rises and spending cuts in Budget
08:46
,
Athena Stavrou
Starmer to face Commons grilling
08:45
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer is set to face a grilling in the Commons as questions mount over the China spy case and the upcoming Budget.
The prime minister will answer questions from opposition at PMQs after his Government and the Crown Prosecution Service clashed over the release of vital evidence.
No 10 accused the CPS of having blocked the publication of a crucial witness statement.
The CPS hit back, and insisted it was entirely up to the Government to release the evidence if it wanted to.
Reeves hints at tax rises and spending cuts in Budget
08:33
,
Athena Stavrou
Rachel Reeves acknowledged she was looking at potential tax rises and spending cuts to fill a black hole in her Budget which she said was partly due to the lingering impact of Brexit.
The Chancellor said “of course, we’re looking at tax and spending” as she prepares for her November 26 statement.
She told Sky News: “Challenges are being thrown our way, whether that is the geopolitical uncertainties, the conflicts around the world, the increased tariffs and barriers to trade and now this review looking at how productive our economy has been in the past and then projecting that forward.
“But I won’t duck those challenges. Of course, we’re looking at tax and spending as well, but the numbers will always add up with me as Chancellor because we saw just three years ago what happens when a government, where the Conservatives, lost control of the public finances – inflation and interest rates went through the roof.”