What is Prime Minister's Questions?
Prime Minister's Questions, often called PMQs, is a weekly session in the House of Commons where Members of Parliament ask the Prime Minister questions. It takes place every Wednesday at noon when Parliament is sitting.
PMQs lasts about 30 minutes. The Leader of the Opposition is allowed to ask up to six questions, which often leads to heated exchanges.
Other MPs also ask questions about national issues or concerns in their constituencies.
Theater and tradition
PMQs is known for its lively atmosphere, with MPs cheering, jeering and shouting. The Speaker frequently calls for order.
The session in its current weekly form began in 1997, when Tony Blair combined two shorter sessions into one.
PMQs is broadcast live on television and radio and is widely reported in the media.
Critics say PMQs is more about point scoring than serious questioning, while supporters argue it holds the Prime Minister to account.
Each session begins with a standard opening question asking the Prime Minister to list their engagements for the day, which allows MPs to follow up with questions on almost any subject. Clips from PMQs often go viral online.