Rishi Sunak on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: what Prime Minister said on BBC One politics show this morning

Rishi Sunak will join Laura Kuenssberg on her BBC One political talk show this morning for an interview with the former political editor.

Also joining the show are Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and actress Dame Helen Mirren, who will play tribute to her late friend, the Harry Potter actor Sir Michael Gambon, who died this week, aged 82.

Sunak will later attend the Conservative Party Conference taking place in Manchester from 2pm today until Wednesday 4 October. It is expected that Kuenssberg will quiz the PM on his reputation and the fate of HS2.

Good morning and welcome to NationalWorld's live coverage of Rishi Sunak's appearance on BBC One's 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg' ahead of his appearance at the Conservative Party conference that begins today in Manchester at 2pm.

We're expecting questions regarding HS2 to dominate the interview, and perhaps also discussions regarding Suella Braverman and her latest statements that have courted some controversy.

You can watch the interview in the UK on BBC One from 9am or through BBC's iPlayer service.

So get your breakfast ready as we follow Sunak's appearance on the BBC this morning.

While we wait for Rishi Sunak's interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Sky News have been interviewing Michael Gove on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.

Asked about Boris Johnson's comments that China is laughing at Britain's inability to build HS2, Mr Gove sharply criticises China's political system. But on HS2 itself, he says it is an "important project" and there are "spades in the ground".

"However, we do need to look at value for money," he says, and costs have ballooned.

Asked how he would defend scrapping HS2 to people in the north, he says levelling up is "about more than one project".

"You don't bake a cake with one ingredient," he says.

During the party conference this week, Rishi Sunak is set to emphasize the distinction between his long-term decision-making approach and Labour's inclination toward a short-term, superficial strategy that has marred politics in the past. He underscores the pressing priorities of addressing inflation and bolstering economic growth.

When questioned about the Institute for Fiscal Studies' assessment, which asserts that Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson have implemented the most substantial tax increases since World War II, Michael Gove maintains that the government strives to reduce taxes whenever feasible. He attributes the economic slowdown to factors like the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, necessitating the retention of current tax levels. He rebuffs the IFS's claim that COVID is solely responsible for the elevated tax burden.

Regarding the timeline for potential tax reductions, Mr. Gove defers to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, indicating that the discussion on tax distribution should occur at a later time. He expresses a desire to see a reduction in the tax burden before the next election but underscores the immediate priority of curbing inflation.

... and as Match of the Day finishes, we're about ready for today's episode of 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.'

Well, this should be an interesting Sunday morning.

Impressionist Jon Culshaw is one of the guest panellists on this morning's show. Laura asks who will be his target this morning; bit of levity on what could be a heavy morning of political discussion

Fraser Nelson from The Spectator and former government advisor Baroness Casey join John Culshaw on the show as the other panellists, if you prefer a dryer approach to your Sunday morning politics.

Laura asks Rishi what kind of PM he wants to be, bringing up the current dramas regarding motorists.

Rishi Sunak says "It seems to be a sense that a lot of people want him to make their life difficult using their cars [...]", while bringing up what is happening in Wales. Laura fires back about Cornwall's situation regarding 20mph limits.

Laura asks if it is something that is mainly in Conservative council areas?

"This is about local people being in the driving seat. Of course, it makes sense to have speed limits around school areas but these things have to be done with consent."

Laura asks "Will you stop councils introducing 20mph zones as a default?"

"The guidance from councils to governments are doing things with the support and consent of their local community and not imposing things on them without their consent."

"I want people to know that we are on their side"

Laura brings up it was a Conservative mayor who brought in ULEZ to London and asks if his newfound interest in ULEZ is because he is not doing well in the polls.

"You failed to mention Laura when I was chancellor I cut fuel duty by the largest amount on records," Suank retorts.

Laura is not taking any prisoners this morning - Sunak a few times now has tried to interject over the top.

"I'm fine with the criticism because I think it is the right thing for our country"

"What I don't like is the way we've done this in the past. We've not been honest with people and we have to approach politics differently. This is an example of it."

Laura asks if he can be honest about hitting a net zero target, bringing up statistics from a number of researchers and Conservative members. "Be honest this morning"

"Absolutely not. We are going to meet these targets as we decarbonize more than any other country," he states, regarding the UK leading the way in decarbonization compared to other G7 countries.

Yes or No - will HS2 come to this part of the world, Laura asks from the studio in Salford.

"I'm not going to comment on that yet," he retorts. Laura fires back that he is the PM of this country and it is not speculation. Is it going to happen or not?

"We got stakes in the ground so I cannot comment but we are absolutely committed to level up this country. My view is that we need to focus on the long term things to make these towns a better place to to live."

"You are vividly refusing to make a long-term decision - you even got it branded on your slogan for the conference, but you won't tell people a decision about HS2," Laura states.

"I completely reject [that the UK is a laughing stock]. I hear the leaders are excited around the world of what the UK has to offer."

Given Michael Gove's appearance on Sky News this morning and his comments on tax cuts, Laura asks if Sunak has control of his party.

"If anyone wants to be critical about my decisions, let them talk to me about it. I am a Conservative. Of course, I want to cut taxes. The best tax cut I can do for Britain is to cut inflation."

"Inflation is a tax. It's a tax that affects the poorest people the most. That's why the best tax cut I can offer is to the hard inflation."

Michael Goves' comments have been brought up again.

"The best tax cut we can make is to half inflation. You saw last summer the most important priority is bringing inflation down. The quickly we bring it down the better it is."

"I know things are tough and there is work to do."

"When the public looks at this they wonder who to believe" Laura explains to Sunak, followed by no one running against Rishi Sunak during the leadership challenge.

"I stood up for my principles - I stuck to my guns, you cannot borrow to get out of debt."

"You changed NS2 and net-zero targets. The plan for social care isn't happening..." Laura lists a litany of issues Sunak has found taking over the PM role.

"Are you chucking most of the 2019 manifesto to one side - your shifting Net Zero targets," she tells Rishi Sunak, who is adamant they have not shifted."

"The government have 100 policies to tackle net zero. I am doing what I think is right for the future of our company. I get people will be critical about it. I'm ok about that."