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Inside Number 10 Downing Street

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Watch Ricky's interview with Akshata Murty

Number 10 Downing Street has been the office of British prime ministers since 1735. Now it has opened its famous black door to primary school children from across the UK.

Every Friday, during term time, the prime minister's wife Akshata Murty hosts lessons there - based around a different topic each time.

Newsround met children from Leicestershire who were learning about design and sustainability with a team from the Young Victoria and Albert Museum.

Akshata MurtyImage source, Number 10
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Akshata Murty, the prime minister's wife, takes questions from school children at Number 10

Mrs Murty, a businesswoman and fashion designer, told Newsround why she thinks the lessons at Downing Street are important.

She said: "I want young people from across the country to have a chance to come into this incredibly special, historic and iconic building.

"It's about inspiring them. It could be music, it could be sport, it could be design."

Children queue outside 10 Downing StreetImage source, Number 10
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Children queue outside the world famous London address

Mrs Murty grew up in India and comes from a family of teachers.

She said: "I love learning and I believe passionately for young people that learning needs to happen in a variety of ways, not just in the classroom and not just to pass exams."

What's it like to live at Number 10?

The family moved into Downing Street along with their two daughters, Krishna and Anoushka, in October last year when Rishi Sunak became the leader of the Conservative party.

rishi sunak and akshata murtyImage source, HANNAH MCKAY / Reuters
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Mrs Murty is married to the UK's prime minister, Rishi Sunak

"It's like living in any other family home," Mrs Murty said.

"The girls come home from school, they want to play in the garden, they have to finish their homework."

rishi sunak and governmentImage source, Kirstie Wigglesworth / PA
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As prime minister, Rishi Sunak both lives and works inside Number 10

Looking ahead to the general election

The next general election, due before 28 January 2025, will decide if Rishi Sunak keeps his job as prime minister.

His party - the Conservative Party - is currently behind the Labour Party in the polls.

In October, the Conservatives lost two by-elections to Labour. Labour leader Keir Starmer said the votes showed Labour were the 'party of the future'.

keir starmerImage source, Stefan Rousseau / PA
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Sir Keir Starmer is hoping to win the next general election and become the UK's prime minister

If the Conservatives lose the next election, Rishi Sunak and his family would have to move out of Downing Street to make way for a new prime minister.

Mrs Murty said: "My children feel incredibly lucky to be here, and they are aware that there's a time in our lives that we're here, and one day we won't be here, and that's the nature of this job."

She also spoke about her daughters missing their dad.

Rishi Sunak, Akshata Murty and their two daughtersImage source, Reuters
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Rishi Sunak, Akshata Murty and their two daughters

"They don't get to see him as much as they would like, but they're so proud of the work he's doing.

"They make the most of the time that he is with them, we all play games together, he's still responsible for homework duties sometimes."

Cost of living crisis

One of the biggest challenges facing the government is the UK's ongoing cost of living crisis. With rising prices and high interest rates, many people are now unable to afford the basic essentials to live. It's something Mrs Murty says she talks about with her daughters.

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Ricky finds out more about the cost of living crisis

She said: "They are aware of it, they read about it, they talk to friends, they're engaged with it and we talk about it as a family, because it affects all of us.

"They understand that means making sacrifices and doing the best you can.

"They're incredibly empathetic individuals and they understand that we as a country are going through a difficult time."