Hunt expected to outline national insurance cut in Budget – live

Sir Keir Starmer warns that the journey to making Britain safe for women starts with creating a safe workplace “here in Westminster” – warning that “as everyone in this House knows, we are failing in that endeavour”.

He calls on the PM to make time for a vote on banning MPs who face allegations of sex offences from parliament.

Rishi Sunak ignores the call for a vote, but replies that his government has set up “the landmark domestic abuse act”, the new 24/7 victims’ support line, and is investing in “CCTV and better street lighting”.

He added: “Of course there is always more we can do but this government has a strong track record in ensuring women across this country will feel safe.”

Keir Starmer has questioned Rishi Sunak on how women and girls can have confidence in the criminal justice system “when almost all rapists don’t see the inside of a courtroom”.

Rishi Sunak responds that “of course” more needs to be done but insists “considerably progress” is being made, citing increases in sentencing powers for judges.

The PM says there has been a 50 per cent increase in rape convictions in the past year – and claimed they dropped during Sir Keir’s tenure as director of public prosecutions.

Sir Keir retorts that this will be fact-checked, and says: “I really do think that the victims of violence against women and girls deserve better than this nonsense. It needs to be taken seriously, it’s not games, prime minister … unless things changes the criminal justice system will continue to fail them.”

Sir Keir Starmer says he is “obviously very familiar with codes and criminal justice systems”, but presses the need for binding standards across the police to prevent people like Wayne Couzens from serving.

He warns that indecent exposure is not treated with the seriousness it requires, and urges Rishi Sunak to implement the recommendations of the Angiolini Inquiry into Sarah Everard’s death.

Rishi Sunak says chief constables already have existing powers to suspend officers facing allegations “and we fully expect them to use those powers”.

Sir Keir Starmer has opened by paying tribute to Sarah Everard and the “appalling failure” in police vetting and misconduct processes.

He cites the recent report which concludes there is “nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sight”, asking: “How can that be the case three years on from this horrendous crime?”

A minister has been forced to deny plans for a May election as the government faced calls to explain why a top diplomat was kept ‘in the dark’ over the cancellation of a major summit in April.

Rishi Sunak had been due to host political and business leaders from 25 different African countries at the gathering in London.

We’ll bring you live updates from PMQs when the session kicks off at 12 noon.

You’ll also be able to watch the exchanges live on our YouTube channel by following the link below:

Rishi Sunak has left Downing Street and is on his way to the House of Commons for Prime Minister’s Questions.

The prime minister was pictured leaving his official residence earlier this morning after meeting the cabinet.

Mr Sunak will face off against Labour leader Keir Starmer at what is likely to be another feisty session of PMQs ahead of the Budget.

Jeremy Hunt was kept waiting outside the door of No 11 Downing Street earlier after appearing for his pre-Budget photo call.

Usually, the door reopens immediately when the occupant of No 11 approaches – as it does when the prime minister arrives at No 10 – but there was a slight pause before the chancellor stepped inside.

It was a light-hearted moment in what is otherwise an important and serious day for the country and Mr Hunt, who could be delivering his final Budget when he appears at the dispatch box at 12:30pm.