Tory MP Andrew Bowie criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s response to one of Rishi Sunak’s questions on China at PMQs.

He wrote on X: “Utterly surreal moment at PMQs. Rishi asks if his last question about Chinese sanctions on MPs on all sides…

“Keir gives, quite obviously, pre prepared answer attacking Conservatives, the economy and Labour’s plans. Not only tone deaf but just, odd.”

Sir Keir Starmer faced groans from the opposition benches after he was quizzed about winter fuel payment cuts.

Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies raised the case of a constituent who suffers from ME and chronic pain who has lost the allowance and called for a social energy tariff to help struggling pensioners.

The PM prompted grumblings from opposition MPs as he replied: “On this issue of winter fuel payments we have inherited a £22 billion black hole.”

Referring to the Tories, he went on: “They should be apologising not groaning for leaving the country in such a state.”

Sir Keir added that the Government is committed to the state pension triple lock.

Rishi Sunak highlighted warnings by Parliament’s intelligence and security committee that British universities are a “feeding ground” for China to exert political influence.

He said: “That’s why we passed the Freedom of Speech Act with new powers to help defend universities from this threat but the new Education Secretary has since blocked it. So can the Prime Minister tell us how without this tool the Government will prevent Chinese influence over our universities?”

Sir Keir Starmer replied: “I really don’t think party political points on national security are at all appropriate. Honestly, throughout the last Parliament we stood with the government on all questions on security and intelligence because it was important to the outside world that we did so. I worked with the security and intelligence services for five years prosecuting cases.

“I know first-hand the work that they do as a lawyer, I’ve known first-hand the work that they do as Prime Minister. We support them in everything that they do and he knows that.”

Rishi Sunak asked Sir Keir Starmer why he halted implementation of a system for monitoring interference from foreign states.

Mr Sunak told the Commons: “The last government also established a new system of registration and monitoring to protect the UK from interference from foreign states, including China, Russia and Iran.

“It’s called the foreign influence registration scheme, it was described as essential by MI5 in the fight to help keep Britain safe. But since the Prime Minister took office, he has halted its implementation. Why?”

The PM replied: “That isn’t correct.”

The Tory leader hit back: “Well, Mr Speaker that is very clearly what the Government has said.

“Only last week he said at the Despatch Box that he would give the security forces the powers they need and if he is going to fulfil that promise, I would urge him to get up to speed on this issue and therefore implement the scheme.”

Rishi Sunak asked Sir Keir Starmer if he was prepared to sanction “any Chinese business or individual involved in aiding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine”.

Sir Keir replied: “Yes, and we’ve called for that in the past. We continue to do so, and I hope this is an issue where we can have unity across the House.”

Rishi Sunak raised the case of Jimmy Lai, a British citizen wrongly imprisoned in Hong Kong for four years, in his second question to the PM.

Mr Sunak said: “Given what the Prime Minister said, and I agree, of course, we must engage when we should use that engagement for our national interests, I hope that the Foreign Secretary will unequivocally condemn this military escalation and stand up for democracy in Taiwan.

“Now, the whole House will be concerned about the fate of the democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai. He is a British citizen who has been wrongly imprisoned in Hong Kong for four years.

“The previous government pressured China for his release. Does the Prime Minister agree that this is a politically motivated prosecution and that it is a breach of China’s legal obligations to Hong Kong under the Sino-British (Joint) Declaration?”

Sir Keir replied: “Yes, and this case, as he will understand, is a priority for the Government. We do call on the Hong Kong authorities to release immediately our British national and the Foreign Secretary raised this case, in his first meeting with China’s foreign minister, and we will continue to do so.”

Rishi Sunak used his first question at PMQs to ask Sir Keir Starmer about China.

The Conservative Party leader said: “This week, China has carried out unwarranted, aggressive and intimidatory military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Our allies are rightly concerned after worrying reports that the Government may have intervened to stop a visit to the UK by the former Taiwanese president.

“Can the Prime Minister confirm that the Foreign Secretary will use his meetings in Beijing this week to condemn China’s dangerous escalatory acts in the strait?”

Sir Keir replied: “The continued military activity in the Strait is not conducive to peace and stability. Stability in the Taiwan Strait is in all of our interests.

“On the wider point that he raises, we will co-operate where we can as permanent members of the UN Security Council, issues like net zero, health and trade, compete where we have different interests, but challenge, the point he makes is absolutely right, where it’s needed to protect national security, human rights and our values, and we will put that challenge in.”

Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England manager.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions he said: “I know the whole House will join me in wishing the best of luck to the new England manager Thomas Tuchel.”

Sir Keir, an Arsenal fan, went on to reference Tuchel’s previous role as Chelsea manager.

“I won’t hold his old job against him, but I wish him well in the new one,” he said.

Sir Keir Starmer began PMQs by paying tribute to former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond and ex-Tory MP David Amess.

The PM described Mr Salmond, who died over the weekend, as “a monumental figure in Scottish and UK politics”.

He added: “This week, we also remember our colleague and friend Sir David Amess who kindness and commitment to public service continues to inspire us all.”

Sir Keir also paid tribute to Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert and Sir General Mike Jackson, a former head of the British Army, who have both died in the past week.

Sir Keir Starmer will face Rishi Sunak for his weekly grilling session in the Commons at midday.

The Tory leader has no shortage of topics to ask the Prime Minister about including claims of a Labour manifesto breach on national insurance hikes in the upcoming Budget.

Sir Keir is also at the centre of a row over Government intervention in talks about Taylor Swift’s security at her London concerts during the summer.