Starmer defends deputy and borrowing record in fiery Commons debate

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and his government’s handling of borrowing costs during a heated parliament session on Wednesday, 3 September, facing sharp attacks from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch.

The debate at Prime Minister’s Questions came after Rayner admitted underpaying property tax on a house she purchased in southern England and referred herself to the government’s ethics adviser. Badenoch seized on the case, accusing Starmer of double standards and questioning why his deputy remained in office.

“I also welcome the fact that the Deputy Prime Minister has referred herself to the ethics adviser. She has admitted she underpaid tax. So why is she still in office? But there is not just a crisis at the very top of his cabinet. Mr Speaker, there is a crisis brewing for the whole country. When was the last time the cost of government borrowing was so high?” Badenoch asked.

Starmer responded by defending Rayner’s decision to disclose personal details of her case, including matters related to her family.

“In relation to the Deputy Prime Minister, she has explained her personal circumstances in detail. She’s gone over and above in setting out the details, including, Mr Speaker, yesterday afternoon asking a court to lift the confidentiality order in relation to her own son,” he said.

Borrowing costs have climbed to their highest level since 1998, outpacing those of other G7 economies. Inflation remains elevated, limiting the Bank of England’s ability to cut interest rates.

Pressed on the issue, Starmer said the government was committed to reducing debt through strict fiscal rules.

“Mr Speaker, on the question of borrowing costs, they have risen across the world as the leader of the opposition well knows, we are driving them down by getting debt down. That is hardwired into our fiscal rules. Those fiscal rules are non-negotiable,” he told MPs.

The prime minister also launched a stinging attack on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has travelled to Washington to testify before a U.S. House committee.

“He’s flown to America to bad mouth and talk down our country. And worse than that Mr Speaker … he’s gone there to lobby the Americans to impose sanctions on this country, which will harm working people. You cannot get more unpatriotic than that. It’s a disgrace,” Starmer said.

Government borrowing costs are now the highest in the Group of Seven economies and at their peak since 1998.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has referred herself to the government’s ethics adviser after admitting she underpaid property tax.

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