PMQs LIVE updates as Boris Johnson faces Sir Keir Starmer after inflation hits record high

Members of Parliament will have plenty to discuss with Boris Johnson in today's PMQs (Wednesday 18 May). It's the first session since Prince Charles delivered the Queen's speech last week, outlining the government's agenda for the parliamentary session.

Some 38 bills were announced in the programme, including new laws around Brexit, education and levelling up. But the speech came under fire from charities and opposition politicians alike, with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey saying it 'does nothing to help the millions of families and pensioners facing soaring bills and eye-watering inflation.'

And struggling households could be plunged further into poverty, after the Office for National Statistics announced this morning that inflation had surged to 9% - the highest level in 40 years. The hike, which has risen from 7% since March, means that the cost of living increases even further and people's money won't travel as far.

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak says 'we can't protect people completely' as inflation hits record

The Chancellor said in a statement that 'we cannot protect people completely' from the rise but that the government 'stand ready to take further action.' Rishi Sunak added: "We’re saving the average worker £330 a year through reducing National Insurance Contributions, changing Universal Credit to save over a million families around £1,000 a year, and providing millions of families with £350 each this year to help with their energy bills.”

Today also marks the first PMQs session since Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer vowed to 'step down' if he is fined by police over an allegation he broke coronavirus laws. Sir Keir was caught on camera drinking a beer in an MP’s office after a day of campaigning for the