Keir Starmer's aides 'revive Dominic Cummings idea of unit to cull Treasury power'
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Advisers to the Prime Minister have discussed reviving Dominic Cummings’ idea of setting up a Downing Street economic unit to curb the power of the Treasury. During Boris Johnson’s tenure in No 10, Mr Cummings formed a ‘joint economic unit’ with the Treasury, which was a thinly disguised attempt to restrict the Chancellor’s independence and centralise economic policy.
![[Mr Cummings (pictured in 2023) formed a ‘joint economic unit’ with the Treasury, which was a thinly disguised attempt to restrict the Chancellor’s independence during Boris Johnson tenure]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/23/93392397-14217841-image-m-23_1734824813094.jpg)
Last night No 10 denied that any such unit was being planned by Sir Keir Starmer’s advisers – but sources said that it was discussed as an ‘option’ after Rachel Reeves’ tax-raising Budget, which the Bank of England says has brought growth to a halt.
![[Sources have told The Mail on Sunday that the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, (pictured) has expressed his support for some of Mr Cummings’ reform plans]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/23/93392383-14217841-image-m-22_1734824802396.jpg)
Her unpopular measures included hiking inheritance tax on farmers, which had been suggested by Treasury mandarins during previous governments but rejected as a controversial decision that would offer too little financial gain. A source said: ‘Things like that would have been squashed by No 10 if they had been more involved in the process.’.
Sources have also told The Mail on Sunday that the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has privately expressed his support for some of Mr Cummings’ plans to reform the Civil. Service, which Mr Cummings regarded as a ‘blob’ preventing innovation. A source said: ‘Morgan has a grudging admiration for some of Cummings’ radical thinking.’.
