Starmer’s Office Backs Reeves After Leaving Support in Question

Keir Starmer’s office rushed to express support for Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, shortly after the UK prime minister appeared to cast doubt on whether she’ll stay in her role following a U-turn on the government’s flagship welfare reforms.

Asked today during prime minister's questions to repeat his previous pledge that Reeves would still be in the job at the next general election, Starmer avoided answering as a visibly emotional Reeves looked on. That prompted a clarification from Starmer’s press secretary, Sophie Nazemi: “She has the prime minister’s full backing,” Nazemi said of Reeves.

The speculation around Reeves, which caused the pound and UK stocks and bonds to slide today, comes at a low point in Starmer’s premiership. Yesterday, he abandoned controversial plans to restrict benefit payments to some disabled people, a reform pushed by the chancellor which would have saved some £5 billion ($6.9 billion).