Starmer refuses to rule out defence budget being used to fund Chagos Islands deal – as it happened

5.05pm GMT

Afternoon summary

• Kemi Badenoch has challenged Keir Starmer to say that “not a penny” from the defence budget will be spent on the government’s Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius. (See 3.07pm.) She spoke out after Starmer refused to give this assurance at PMQs. (See 12.26pm.) The two leaders clashed in the Commons shortly before Starmer left for his flight to Washington, where tomorrow he will have the chance to discuss Ukraine policy, tariffs and the Chagos Islands with President Trump at the White House.

• Seven organisations involved in the Grenfell Tower disaster face possible debarment from public contracts as the government accepted all recommendations of the public inquiry into the devastating fire and set out plans for “tough action” on the construction industry.

• John Swinney, Scotland’s first minister, has announced that he wants “mainstream Scotland” to unite behind the values of “decency, democracy and respect” to counter the rise of Reform UK. (See 11.52pm.)

• Parents of under-fives could be exempted from the government’s two-child benefit limit under a range of options UK ministers are considering as they try to bring down child poverty numbers without removing the rule altogether.

• United Utilities, England’s most polluting water provider, “isn’t good enough” at trying to stop sewage dumping, its boss has admitted to MPs.

• A mother declared at risk of sudden death due to her 150-day hunger strike to free her jailed son has been persuaded to end her fast if UK ministers show any sign of progress in efforts to seek his release.

4.29pm GMT

Here are some pictures from PMQs from the official Commons photographer.