Reeves hits back at spending review critics claiming ‘my choices are Labour choices’
Reeves says Labour’s free school meal drive inspired by growing up in Thatcher years
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves has defended her economic policy in an exclusive article for The Independent, amid cabinet disputes over her spending review, particularly regarding funding for local government, social housing, border control, and policing.
- Ms Reeves highlighted her efforts to rebalance the economy, drawing from her own experiences growing up in Lewisham “under Margaret Thatcher and John Major’s governments”.
- She emphasised her investments in free school meals and above-inflation increases to universal credit.
- Ms Reeves addressed criticisms of being out of touch by pointing to left-wing policies she has implemented, such as ending the tax loophole for private schools and rolling out free breakfast clubs.
- Senior Labour figures have attacked Ms Reeves for sticking to her pledges not to raise income tax, VAT, or national insurance, leading to expected cuts in the upcoming spending review.