Rachel Reeves has urged Labour MPs to back her Budget ahead of Wednesday's delivery, calling politics a "team sport" as she faces pressure from multiple fronts within her own party.
The Chancellor addressed restive backbenchers on Monday night, insisting the Budget was a complete package and not a "pick 'n' mix" where MPs could select only the parts they liked, according to PA Media.
Her appeal for unity comes as Labour's poll ratings have dropped significantly and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has warned that the Budget must restore public and business trust in the party.
Speaking to the Parliamentary Labour Party, Reeves told MPs the Budget was "a Labour Budget, a progressive Budget" and that she was proud of it. She outlined three priorities: "Cutting the cost of living, cutting NHS waiting lists and cutting the cost of debt."
Warning from Scotland
Writing exclusively for The Independent, Sarwar stressed that Wednesday's Budget "is a moment to restore confidence and put this Labour government back on track". He warned that trust has been "stretched thin" and requires rebuilding through honesty, not "slogans or short-term fixes".
The Scottish Labour leader demanded the Budget reflect "Labour values of fairness and action to deal with the cost of living and poverty". He argued: "We need a budget that tackles poverty, brings down bills, rejects austerity and restores business confidence."
Growth concerns mount
The Budget comes as Labour faces economic headwinds. Growth has flatlined and dipped since the party came to power in July, despite economic growth being its "number one mission". The Office of Budget Responsibility is reportedly set to downgrade UK growth forecasts until 2029.
Sarwar expressed concern that businesses face "even more policy instability" due to a failure to "project confidence and communicate those changes". He told The Independent: "Without growth, we cannot fund public services, attract investment, or raise living standards. Without growth we cannot end the Tory doom loop and bring prosperity back to people's pockets."
The Chancellor has long indicated she will hike taxes to fill what she describes as a black hole in public finances. Concluding her speech to Labour MPs, Reeves said: "On Wednesday, this will be a fair Budget. It will be a Budget that delivers strong foundations, secures our future and delivers on our promise of change."
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
