Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer trade blows on energy bills crisis at fiery PMQs – as PM vows he WON’T scrap NICs hike

BORIS Johnson today warned Labour would "clobber" Brits with higher energy bills as he traded barbs with Keir Starmer at a fiery PMQs.

The PM defended his "generous" support package for struggling families but also repeated his vow not to scrap the upcoming National Insurance rise.

In front of a raucous Commons chamber he tore into Sir Keir's plan for a windfall tax on energy companies to fund more help for households.

Boris said it would dissuade firms from investing in Britain and added: "It would be totally ridiculous and it would raise prices for consumers."

The Labour leader accused the PM of "insulting people's intelligence" with his offer to slash people's energy bills, which be branded a "con".

Every household will get £200 off their annual tariff, but it will take the form of a loan that will be paid back over five years.

Blaming "the loan shark chancellor and his unwitting sidekick" Sir Keir said: "It’s all one big scam and people across the country are paying the price."

Boris was also confronted on his plan for a National Insurance hike, which will cost the average earner £180 a year.

But he replied: "Everybody can see how vital this is. We have to clear our Covid backlogs. We love our NHS and we’re paying for it."

Today's PMQs is Boris' last major appearance before Parliament goes into recess for a 10 day break from tomorrow.

Allies believe if he gets through it without further controversy then he should be safe from a confidence vote until March.

But the PM is far from out of the woods with many Tory MPs furious over a series of missteps by the Government.

The row over his incorrect jibe at Sir Keir, who he claimed failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile, is still at boiling point.

Boris has angered many within his own party by repeatedly refusing to apologise for the slur.

On Monday the Labour leader was surrounded by a mob outside Westminster who chanted Savile's name at him.

Today senior backbencher Mark Harper raised the "grim" prospect of the Tories deploying such tactics in a future election campaign.

He said: "This is not the kind of country we want to be.

"The prospect of adopting this approach poses yet more serious questions for my Conservative MP colleagues and I to consider in the weeks and months ahead."

We’re setting out a fantastic plan to help people with the cost of energy it’s more generous and more effective than anything Labour have set out

Boris Johnson

Mr Harper became the 10th Tory MP to publicly criticise the PM over his remarks as he comes under growing pressure to say sorry.

But health minister Ed Argar suggested Boris is unlikely to show any remorse when he steps up to the despatch box this afternoon.

He said: "The Prime Minister has been very clear - he's clarified what he was talking about.

"I'll be honest with you, I suspect that's what you will hear from the Prime Minister later."

There is also still simmering anger within the rank and file over the way Boris dealt with the No 10 parties scandal.

So far 11 backbenchers have publicly announced they've submitted letters of no confidence in his leadership.

REBEL PAUSE

But the true number is expected to be much higher, with allies of the PM putting it at between 35 and 45.

Rebels have seemingly decided to hold their fire on a coordinated push to topple him until after police investigation into Partygate.

One Tory MP told the i: "The trend is clear – it’s just a matter of the timetable."

Boris is equally under fire from many on his own side over crippling tax rises at a time when Brits are facing a cost of living crisis.

Many backbenchers want him to scrap the planned National Insurance rise in April that will hammer families for £180 a year on average.

But yesterday the unrepentant PM looked to steady the ship by promoting many close allies in a mini-reshuffle.

He has told allies opponents will need a tank division to prize him out of No 10 as he bunkers down to fight for his political life.