UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Chancellor Rachel Reeves vows to stay in office, saying misogynistic behavior won’t force her to step aside or weaken her commitment to the role.
As reported by the Express, Rachel Reeves insists she will remain in office for the next two years and urges MPs to support her budget plans.
What did Rachel Reeves say about misogyny and her Budget plans?
Rachel Reeves warns critics will not “beat me,” urging Labour MPs to stay united to secure a second term. She called budget leaks “incredibly destabilising.”
Addressing Labour colleagues in the Commons, she stated,
“I’ll show the media, I’ll show the Tories. I will not let them beat me. I’ll be there on Wednesday, I’ll be there next year and I’ll be back the year after that.”
The chancellor hit back at “armchair” critics questioning her command, saying she had not fully recognised the persistent misogyny in public life.
Ms Reeves admitted some MPs may struggle with elements of the £30bn tax rise budget, but urged them to focus on the broader strategy.
She told MPs,
“A budget involves choices. Choices are things that we do, and also things that we don’t do. I hope that you like every single measure but you might not. There might be 99 per cent or 95 per cent that you like, but 1 or 5 per cent that you don’t. The budget is a package. It’s not a pick and mix.”
Ms Reeves indicates the budget may include extra support for the NHS and measures to reduce energy bills.
How did Rachel Reeves plan to tackle Budget shortfalls and tax rises?
The Chancellor faces major challenges after the Office for Budget Responsibility cut its forecasts for 2026 and each year leading up to the 2029 election.
The forecast downgrade forces the Chancellor to consider tax increases to balance finances and strengthen the historically low fiscal headroom.
A new tax targeting high-value homes worth over £2 million could affect 100,000 properties and raise £400–£450 million.
Around 2.4 million properties in the top three council tax bands will be revalued to determine which are liable for the surcharge.
The government will reveal a milkshake tax to promote healthier children and plans to scrap the sugar tax exemption on pre-packaged dairy drinks.
The chancellor may cut projected public spending increases by £5 billion for 2029–30, but experts warn the plan may be unrealistic.
What did business leaders urge Rachel Reeves to do ahead of the Budget?
Business leaders urged Rachel Reeves to focus on growth, with CBI head Rain Newton-Smith saying the UK faces a “fork in the road.”
She warned,
“If we get the wrong choices on Wednesday then we risk getting locked in a stop-start economy where large tax rises rear their head every year, or even every autumn and spring. That is not the road to growth. That is a … road to certain decline.”
Ms Newton-Smith called on the chancellor to curb welfare spending and avoid a “thousand taxes,” warning the country cannot afford another decade of stagnation.
She added,
“Short-term politics leads to a long-term decline, and this country cannot afford another decade of stagnation. That means making hard choices for growth now before they get harder, having the courage to take two tough decisions rather than 20 easier ones.”
What did Kemi Badenoch say about Rachel Reeves and the Budget?
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch warned that the government’s actions are hindering growth and pursuing policies she called “job-killing.”
She criticized the chancellor, saying Ms Reeves is “doing a terrible job,” and urged Labour to consider public perception of the budget.
Ms Badenoch said,
“A lot of people out there in the country, men and women, thinks that she needs to cut tax, and if she raises it, then she should go.”
She added,
“Killing it would be a signal to the world that Britain still understands what makes an economy grow. If the chancellor had any sense, and any regard for business, she would use the budget to say ‘we got this one wrong’ and drop it.”
Commenting on the Employment Rights Bill, the Tory leader warned it could effectively ban seasonal and flexible jobs.
Which changes are expected in the UK Employment Rights Bill?
The UK Employment Rights Bill changes:
- Unfair dismissal: Employees can claim from day one, removing the 2-year qualifying period (2027).
- Sick pay: Statutory Sick Pay starts from the first day; more workers are included by removing the lower earnings limit (April 2026).
- Fire and rehire: Dismissal for refusing worse terms becomes automatically unfair in most cases (October 2026).
Flexible Working: Employers must provide valid reasons if refusing flexible work requests (2027). - Tips & harassment: Stronger rules on tipping and preventing harassment, including from third parties.