1 week ago Fresh embarrassment for Rachel Reeves as she is forced to admit accepting another lavish freebie

The Chancellor had to declare under parliamentary rules that she was given a free dinner and tickets, worth £265 in total, to see a play at the National Theatre in London.

Politics

3 w. ago ‘Good chance’ Reeves will have to raise taxes in autumn budget, thinktank says – UK politics live

Institute for Fiscal Studies also warns Reeves over her focus on sticking with fiscal rules regardless of real world eventsIn an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said she would not accept free tickets for concerts again in the future.Asked about the controversy about her decision to accept two corporate tickets for a Sabrina Carpenter concert at the O2, she repeated the line that she used at her press conference yesterday – that a family member wanted to attend the concert (presumably one of her children, but she did not say that), and that she accepted tickets for a corporate box because security concerns meant it was not deemed safe for her to get normal tickets for the auditorium.I’m just saying I wouldn’t do it again. I felt I was doing the right thing. But I do understand perceptions.I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work.And we know that if you move from welfar...

Politics

3 w. ago Reeves denies welfare cuts will increase poverty amid warning poorest set to be £500 a year worse off – UK politics live

The Resolution Foundation says the UK’s poorest will be £500 a year worse off by the end of the parliament due to the spring statementIn an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said she would not accept free tickets for concerts again in the future.Asked about the controversy about her decision to accept two corporate tickets for a Sabrina Carpenter concert at the O2, she repeated the line that she used at her press conference yesterday – that a family member wanted to attend the concert (presumably one of her children, but she did not say that), and that she accepted tickets for a corporate box because security concerns meant it was not deemed safe for her to get normal tickets for the auditorium.I’m just saying I wouldn’t do it again. I felt I was doing the right thing. But I do understand perceptions.I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work.And we know that if you move ...

Events

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves defends freebies: ‘I’m not personally a huge Sabrina Carpenter fan, being a 46

Rachel Reeves said she recognised her acceptance of free tickets to see Sabrina Carpenter in concert was “a bit odd”.

Politics

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves admits that accepting free Sabrina Carpenter tickets may have appeared ‘a bit odd’

It came earlier this month, ahead of the Spring Budget announcement which took place on Wednesday March 26

Politics

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves says accepting Sabrina Carpenter freebie looked ‘a bit odd’

Her comments came after Wednesday’s Spring Statement.

Politics

3 w. ago So much for growth, growth, growth! Rachel Reeves admits forecast for economy HALVED with inflation higher

Chancellor Rachel Reeves stressed the grim realities facing the country as she delivered her Spring Statement to the Commons, arguing the 'world has changed'.

Economics

3 w. ago ‘If I want to go to a concert I’ll pay for it’: Minister heaps pressure on Reeves over Sabrina Carpenter tickets

Rachel Reeves’ decision to accept free Sabrina Carpenter tickets threatens to reignite the freebies row which rocked the government last year

Politics

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves is all about growth. So why won’t she admit that Brexit is its worst enemy? | Polly Toynbee

Our exit from the EU won’t be a focus of the spring statement, but it should be. Most now accept the need for closer ties As the chancellor ekes out every last billion this week, it’s worth stepping back and remembering one key reason why Britain fares worse than its neighbours: Brexit. On Monday, MPs debated whether to rejoin the EU following the success of a public petition that gained 134,000 signatures. Don’t hold your breath. The government replied by quoting its not-until-hell-freezes-over manifesto pledge: “there will be no return to EU membership”. But the global Trumpquake has shaken all certainties, upended all that seemed solid. The European defence emergency has made talk of Brexit and its future less taboo on both sides of the Channel. Close observers note the ice breaking. “Things are moving in the right direction,” says Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform (CER).Nonetheless, Labour is so paralysed by Brexit that despite its hunt for growth, it has said noth...

Politics

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves thrown under bus by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander as minister fails to back her after the Chancellor accepted £276 Sabrina Carpenter concert tickets

The Chancellor was cut adrift by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who said she had never taken free tickets since becoming an MP and was too busy working to attend concerts.

Politics

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves row on Sabrina Carpenter tickets grows as Cabinet colleague says she wouldn't accept freebies

The Chancellor said she and a family member went to see Sabrina Carpenter a couple of weeks ago

Sport

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves says accepting free Sabrina Carpenter tickets was 'right thing to do from security perspective’

The Chancellor said she and a family member went to see Sabrina Carpenter a couple of weeks ago

Events

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves' defiant response to criticism over accepting free Sabrina Carpenter tickets

Rachel Reeves has responded to criticism over accepting complimentary tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter concert, stating that she will fully declare their value in accordance with the rules

Politics

4 w. ago No austerity in No11! Rachel Reeves admits getting free £600 tickets to Sabrina Carpenter gig but blames 'security' issues

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said accepting the freebie at the O2 Arena for her and a 'family member' was the right thing to do'.

Economics