Reeves responds to backlash from colleagues over cuts
Rachel Reeves has said she is “sympathetic towards the mess” her Cabinet colleagues face after reports of a furious Budget backlash.
The Chancellor told the BBC it is “perfectly reasonable” that ministers “set out their case” amid fears of cuts – but warned problems cannot “just be magicked away”.
She said she had reached spending settlements with all government departments ahead of the Budget. Speaking to Radio 5 Live from Downing Street in an interview due to be broadcast later today, she said: “I’m very sympathetic towards the mess that my colleagues have inherited. I understand those challenges, but also my colleagues understand the challenges that we face as a government in making sure that the sums add up.
“It is perfectly reasonable that Cabinet colleagues set out their case, both to me as Chancellor and to the Prime Minister, about the scale of the challenges that they find in their departments. It’s been a really constructive process.”
Last week, it was reported that the Prime Minister was facing backlash from senior ministers over potential departmental spending cuts. The Prime Minister has previously warned that the Budget next Wednesday would be “painful”, and ministers have been referring to the “black hole” in the public finances since they entered office.
Ms Reeves will be looking to raise up to £40 billion from tax hikes and spending cuts in order to avoid a return to austerity.