Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch to face off at PMQs over tax hikes

Keir Starmer is set to go head-to-head with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch at PMQs with tax hikes and the rationalisation of the railway on the agenda.

It comes as chancellor Rachel Reeves insists she is sticking by Budget tax rises for businesses in order to rescue the crisis-hit NHS.

Tory leader Ms Badenoch is expected to use an Opposition Day Debate to try and force a vote on the tax increases and a shake-up of inheritance rules for farm owners.

But Ms Reeves has told businesses she is “standing firm” on tax hikes and that critics have presented “no real alternatives” to her £40bn-a-year Budget plans.

It’s also the first PMQs since MPs voted in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.

The law means some terminally ill people in England and Wales would be given the right to die at a time of their choosing.

The issue split Parliament, but a majority of MPs voted in favour of the historic change.

In other topics, Starmer is expected to discuss the announcement that three rail operators will be renationalised by Labour in 2025, to “improve reliability and clamp down” on disruption.

South Western Railway will be renationalised in May 2025, C2C in July 2025, and Greater Anglia in autumn 2025, the transport department confirmed.