Rishi Sunak prepares for his first PMQs in top job – as details of call with Joe Biden emerge | Politics News

Rishi Sunak will make his first appearance at the Prime Minister’s Questions at lunchtime, the first major test of his leadership role.

The new PM will face Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer in the Commons – a day after removing nearly a dozen Conservative ministers from the cabinet.

Jacob Rees-Mogg has returned to the backseat after a brief stint as business secretary, along with others loyal to Liz Truss.

Sunak’s first full day at top job – live updates

Mr. Sunak held phone calls with a number of world leaders after being appointed Prime Minister yesterday, including US President Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine.

The White House said Mr Biden – who mispronounced Mr. Sunak’s name during Monday’s Diwali celebrations – congratulated him on his appointment.

Both leaders “reaffirmed the special relationship” between the UK and the US – and “agreed on the importance of working together to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its actions.” his own aggression”.

And in conversation with Mr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President assured that British support for the disabled country would be “stronger than ever” under his prime minister.

In stark contrast to his predecessor, Mr Sunak also took time to speak with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Read more:
Sunak faces the most difficult situation in decades – Beth Rigby
Who’s in and who’s out in the new closet?
Key words of Rishi Sunak’s speech

A new cabinet

The new prime minister – for the third time this year – will hold a cabinet meeting with his new look as early as this morning.

Mr. Sunak’s top ministerial team includes allies, former Truss supporters and a number of right-wing Conservatives.

There was an element of continuity with the previous administration, with James Cleverly serving as secretary of state and Ben Wallace as secretary of defense.

Click to subscribe to Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

The Prime Minister has also revived the careers of experienced frontrunners including Dominic Raab and Michael Gove, who were sacked by Boris Johnson during the dying days of his government.

But Mr. Sunak’s decision to re-appoint Suella Braverman as interior secretary – days after she abruptly left government for violating ministerial rules – has been the most controversial.

Labor has accused Mr Sunak of “putting the party before the nation” – with insider secretary Yvette Cooper warning: “Our national security and public safety are too important for this kind of chaos.”

Read more:
Why is Sunak in such a gloomy mood?
How was yesterday – in pictures
What does the prime minister actually do?

Rishi Sunak’s in a tray

In the coming days, Mr. Sunak will start Tired duty Conservative Party unity and efforts to restore the UK’s economic prestige.

The pound hit a six-week high on Tuesday, a sign that markets approve of the country’s new leader.

Jeremy Hunt, who remains prime minister after being parachuted into the role by Ms Truss on a small budget, will now deliver his financial statements on October 31.

But according to The Times, Mr. Sunak – himself a former prime minister – is considering postponing the announcement to give him more time to “grasp” the plans of the Finance Ministry.

The government is currently grappling with how best to plug a £40 billion black hole in the country’s finances, as both men will discuss proposals to raise taxes while tightening public spending.

A Number 10 source has told Sky News that no decision has been made to push back the financial statements.