PM’s Chief Secretary Rejects Claims Reeves Misled Public Ahead of Budget

Shiva K Dhakal
National Press Corporation(NPC)
United Kingdom—Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones has rejected claims that Chancellor Rachel Reeves misled the public in the days leading up to last week’s Budget announcement.

Reeves has faced criticism from opposition figures who accuse her of overstating the challenges in the public finances to justify subsequent tax rises. When asked by the BBC on Monday whether the chancellor had lied, Jones replied: “No, of course she didn’t.” Reeves herself denied any wrongdoing on Sunday, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch renewed calls for her resignation, claiming she was preparing tax increases “to pay for welfare”.

Later today, Prime Minister Keir Starmer will deliver a speech in London warning that the welfare system risks “trapping” people in poverty and unemployment. “We have to confront the reality that our welfare state is trapping people, not just in poverty, but out of work,” he is expected to say.

The political row escalated further on Monday after Conservative shadow minister Alex Burghart accused Reeves of attempting to “manipulate the gilt market” in the run-up to the Budget. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he alleged that a pre-Budget speech by Reeves on 4 November – interpreted by many as signalling a possible rise in income tax – could have influenced market expectations around government borrowing.

Burghart argued that using misleading information to influence market conditions would be a “very serious offence”, claiming that executives in a private company would be “sacked” for similar behaviour. He added that shadow chancellor Mel Stride has written to the Financial Conduct Authority requesting an investigation.

The BBC’s Nick Robinson challenged Burghart’s assertions, noting that Reeves did not explicitly state that income tax would increase. Burghart, however, insisted that the chancellor’s team engaged in extensive off-the-record briefings that went “way beyond” what is typical ahead of a Budget.

The Treasury has strongly denied the accusations.