Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the first Prime Minister's Questions since the end of the summer recess.
Theresa May is expected to face intense criticism over the Government’s strategy for exiting the European Union after she distanced herself from the suggestion, by Brexit Secretary David Davis, that remaining part of the EU’s single market is “very improbable”. A Number 10 spokesperson said Mr Davis’s claim was “his opinion” – and not policy.
Here at the latest updates:
The strategy – or, lack of strategy – over the Government’s Brexit terms is likely to feature prominently at the first Prime Minister’s Questions after the summer recess. In her second PMQs (you can watch her first here) Ms May is expected to face a grilling from MPs.
Another likely topic includes the reintroduction of grammar schools, after a document was accidently revealed outside Downing Street on Tuesday. The paper said Education Secretary Justine Greening will launch a consultation into opening new grammars.
Meanwhile, as the Labour leadership continues Owen Smith has urged Jeremy Corbyn to use Ms May’s appearance at PMQs to pile on pressure over Brexit. In an article this morning he wrote: “I'm sorry to say that in her first PMQs in July, you put Theresa May under no pressure at all.
"You didn't even ask her about the EU, even though Brexit was and is the biggest challenge facing her Government and the reason for David Cameron's resignation and her elevation to Downing Street. Perhaps the same reticence about standing up for Britain's place in the EU which led you to campaign so ineffectively for Remain also puts you off exposing the weaknesses and contradictions in the Government's position - but continuing to fail to take Theresa May on over Brexit would be a dereliction of duty."
He added: "I'm sure you agree that Labour needs a leader who can take on the Tories effectively, both inside and outside Parliament. I hope you can improve on recent performances."
