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With Starmer on his way back from the G7 in Canada, his deputy Angela Rayner will be up at PMQs this lunchtime.

We were expecting the Conservatives to put up shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart, as had been the case previously.

However, Sky News now understands that shadow home secretary Chris Philp will be the one standing up for the opposition this lunchtime.

The daughter of assisted dying campaigner Esther Rantzen was just speaking to Sky News ahead of Friday's vote on the bill proposing legalising the practice.

Rebecca Wilcox, like her mother, has been campaigning for the bill to pass.

She is asked about opponents to the bill who have suggested it might allow mentally ill patients to end their own lives.

Wilcox says the bill will require someone to have a "terminal diagnosis" - and "you can't just be depressed" to end your life.

"And this is an example of some of the scaremongering that has been going on on the other side of the debate," she says.

"And I completely understand that they are desperate to stop it. 

"But if you are desperate to stop it, please don't. Please don't exaggerate the truth. Please don't exaggerate a lie." 

Join Sky News on Friday for coverage of the votes on the assisted dying bill.

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.

They start by picking over what Keir Starmer had to say about the potential for an American attack on Iran 鈥� which sounded rather different from the line his German counterpart was taking. So what was going on there then?

Back in Westminster, the details of benefit cuts which will impact millions get published 鈥� the government needs to convince dozens of Labour MPs to back the plan.

And HS2 slows down 鈥� we'll hear today that the new line will be delayed beyond 2033.

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook is speaking to Sky News this morning on behalf of the government.

He is asked about the situation in the Middle East, and repeats the government's calls for de-escalation.

Wilf Frost then asks him if the UK wants to see a change in regime in Iran.

The minister says the UK's position is "clear".

" You can be incredibly critical of that theocratic regime. 

"You can understand that Iran poses a threat to the UK -sanctions are obviously already in place.

"And we're particularly worried about its nuclear program and what that will do to peace and security in the region.

"But as I say, when it comes to this instance, and I think the two are entirely compatible, it is appropriate for us to be pushing for restraint and for both sides to step back from the brink. "

The minister would not comment on the potential for military action from the UK or US in the region.

We've heard this morning that inflation - the amount prices are going up - was 3.4% in May.

While this is technically a decrease from 3.5% the month before, errors in April's figures meant it should have been 3.4%, but it wasn't officially changed.

The Office for National Statistics say fuel and holiday prices are down compared to last year - the latter because of term times.

However, they pointed out that rising food prices, including on "chocolates and meat products" helped keep figures up.

Reacting this morning, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "Our number one mission is to put more money in the pockets of working people through our plan for change.

"We took the necessary choices to stabilise the public finances and get inflation under control after the double-digit increases we saw under the previous government, but we know there's more to do.

"Last week we extended the 拢3 bus fare cap, funded free school meals for over half a million more children, and are delivering our plans for free breakfast clubs for every child in the country.

"This government is investing in Britain's renewal to make working people better off."

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is speaking at a meeting of European ministers today in Strasbourg - and the topic up for discussion is the European Convention on Human Rights.

This is the legislation that has been blamed by many for allowing foreign criminals to stay in the UK as it is often used in cases blocking their deportation.

Both the Conservatives and Reform want to either change or amend the legislation.

Mahmood will outline how the UK remains committed to the ECHR as a whole, but it needs to be updated.

"If a foreign national commits a serious crime, they should expect to be removed from the country," the minister will say.

She will claim legislation needs to evolve as society evolves.

It's worth noting that this is a piece of law Sir Keir Starmer is intimately familiar with - he once wrote a textbook on it when he was a lawyer.

By Faye Brown, political reporter

The government will announce another delay to the beleaguered HS2 project on Wednesday, saying the latest target is now impossible.

Sky News understands that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will announce that the London to Birmingham line will no longer be ready to open by 2033.

It is not clear what the new target date will be.

Ms Alexander is expected to blame the Tories for a "litany of failure" that drove the costs up by 拢37bn since 2012, when the high-speed rail network was approved by the coalition government.

As first reported by , she is also expected to raise concerns that taxpayers may have been defrauded by subcontractors and pledge that "consequences will be felt".

Ms Alexander's announcement will come alongside the findings of two reviews into HS2, looking into what went wrong and how and when to construct the rest of it.

She will tell MPs: "Billions of pounds of taxpayers' money has been wasted by constant scope changes, ineffective contracts and bad management.

"It's an appalling mess. But it's one we will sort out."

By Tamara Cohen, political correspondent

Plans for cuts to benefits which will impact more than three million households will be published today - as the government faces a battle to convince dozens of Labour MPs to back them.

Liz Kendall, the welfare secretary, has set out proposals to cut 拢5bn from the welfare budget - which she has said is "unsustainable" and "trapping people in welfare dependency".

Disabled people claiming PIP, the personal independence payment which helps people - some of them working - with the increased costs of daily living, face having their awards reviewed from the end of next year.

An estimated 800,000 current and future PIP recipients will lose an average of 拢4,500 a year, according to a government assessment.

The government also intends to freeze the health element of Universal Credit, claimed by more than two million people, at 拢97 a week during this parliament, and cut the rate to 拢50 for new claimants.

Under pressure from Labour MPs concerned particularly that changes to PIP will drive families into poverty, Ms Kendall will announce new protections in the bill today.

Sky News understands they include a 13-week transition period for those losing PIP; a higher rate of Universal Credit for people with the most serious conditions; and a commitment that disabled people who take a job will not immediately lose their benefits.

Some 40 Labour MPs have signed a letter refusing to support the cuts; and dozens of others have concerns, including ministers.

Welcome back to the Politics Hub.

Sir Keir Starmer is making his way back from Canada and the G7 summit.

However, he won't be back in time for PMQs today, meaning Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will be stepping in. The custom is the opposition will also field their backups - normally shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart.

But the main news from the government doesn't look like it will be coming from the weekly lunchtime showdown.

Instead, we are set to find out more on the government's welfare bill as it is published for everyone, including rebellious Labour MPs, to read.

And we are also set to hear more about everyone's favourite infrastructure nightmare, HS2.

The Labour government's review into the high-speed, seemingly slow built line is going to be announced, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander saying she wants to draw a "line in the sand" under the previous woes of the project.

Stay with us throughout the day for updates on all the latest politics news.

Speaking to Sky News this morning is Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, and shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge.