Rachel Reeves faces claims of ‘fleeing to China’ amid concerns over UK borrowing
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Rachel Reeves was accused of having “fled to China” rather than explain how she will help the UK’s “flatlining” economy after borrowing costs hit a 27-year high. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride, joined by his Conservative colleagues, took aim at the Chancellor as he questioned whether she will be forced to increase taxes further or cut public services should her fiscal headroom evaporate.
He claimed Britons are having to “pay the price for yet another socialist government taxing and spending their way into trouble”, adding it is time for Ms Reeves to “change course”. Where is the Chancellor? It is a bitter regret that at this difficult time with these serious issues she herself is nowhere to be seen.
The Chancellor has a long-planned visit to China scheduled for this week but Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said Ms Reeves should “return from her ridiculous trip” given that the pound is “almost collapsing”. Tory former Treasury minister Dame Harriett Baldwin added: “Is the reason that the (Government) front bench is so empty today, the Chancellor has fled to China, that she has realised that her Budget means that she now is the arsonist?”.
Treasury minister Darren Jones, who was sent by the Government to reply to an urgent question directed at the Chancellor, said the trip is “important” for UK trade and would continue. The exchanges in the House of Commons came against the backdrop of Government borrowing costs continuing to surge, which has put more pressure on Labour over its fiscal plans.
