A powerful earthquake struck the southern Philippines this morning. The death toll stands at 35. It will rise.
UK aid teams are on standby. Whitehall sources confirm the Foreign Office is monitoring the situation closely. A rapid response unit has been assembled, awaiting the green light from Manila.
This is a political test for Starmer. He will want to show leadership. His team knows that a slow response would be seized upon by the opposition. The optics matter.
Meanwhile, the backbenches are restless. A group of Labour MPs are already drafting questions about the UK's preparedness for natural disasters. They want reassurances that funding for overseas aid won't be cut further.
The Philippines quake is a tragedy. But in Westminster, it is also an opportunity. An opportunity to look decisive. An opportunity to score points.
Expect a statement from the Prime Minister within the hour. He will offer condolences. He will pledge support. But the real work is happening behind closed doors.
I am told the first tranche of UK aid could be released as early as tomorrow. The priority is search and rescue. Then comes the longer-term reconstruction. The government is already sounding out NGOs on the ground.
This story is moving fast. I will have more on the political fallout later.
