It’s show time for Keir Starmer as MPs return to parliament today following the summer recess. The Prime Minister and his team have faced a slew of negative headlines in recent weeks over the planned cut to the winter fuel allowance, an ongoing cronyism row and whether the new government is spooking business with its pessimism and speculation over the ‘painful’ budget in October. Recent polls suggest Labour is losing support. Starmer’s net approval ratings, according to Opinium, are now -13 per cent. It was +19 per cent when he entered 10 Downing Street in July.

The PM is already facing disquiet from his MPs

Ministers hope to show momentum this week with the return of MPs to the Commons. Starmer wants to demonstrate progress and land his ‘delivery’ message by pushing through Labour’s legislative programme. This week that will be formed of the Public Ownership Rail bill, which aims to return trains from the private sector to the hands of the state and the Budget Responsibility Bill – aka the ‘We are not Liz Truss bill’ – which would force any future government to consult the Office for Budget Responsibility to assess any major tax or spend plans. Starmer is also keen to push forward GB Energy, Labour’s plan to set up a state-run company for the investment deployment of green energy. This week, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband could announce where in Scotland the headquarters will be set up. There is currently less certainty, however, on whether Labour stands by pre election claims that the project will slash energy bills by up to £300.

Yet for all Starmer’s plans to hit the ground running after winning power, the PM is already facing disquiet from his MPs on the planned cuts to the winter fuel allowance. Other MPs hope the government can find a more positive tone than last week’s doom and gloom rose garden speech. This week will be the first display in how public new backbenchers plan to go with their grievances: do they push Starmer and his cabinet in the Commons Chamber? Treasury questions on Tuesday is one moment where they might choose to speak out. Or do these newbies keep playing ball for the time being? The Tories – and the Liberal Democrats to a point – have plans to up the pressure on Starmer. Both parties are keen to ensure a vote on the winter fuel allowance. That would force Labour MPs to go on the record with their position, something that is likely to be uncomfortable for the new government.