Rachel Reeves has been accused of being “out of ideas” as she is set to outline plans for strengthening ties with the EU.
As part of the annual Mais lecture in the City of London, the Chancellor will set out her “three big choices” for the decade to come at the Mais lecture: deepening ties with the EU, expanding AI and other technology, and “growth in every part of Britain”.
The Chancellor is expected to say: “In this changing world, Britain is not powerless. We can shape our own future. Our method is stability, investment and reform – through an active and strategic state.
“Today, I am making three big choices on the greatest growth opportunities for Britain in the decade to come: growth in every part of Britain, AI and innovation, and a deeper relationship with the EU.
“Our plan is clear. To build for growth, to champion innovation, and to make Britain the place where the industries of the future are created.”
However, she was met with criticism from Reform UK’s Treasury Spokesman Robert Jenrick, who told The Express: “The idea that Labour’s EU reset is going to bring back jobs and leave people with more money in their pocket is for the birds.
“Rachel Reeves is out of ideas and has been reduced to trying to dig up failed policies from the past. She should start fixing the mess she made, beginning by scrapping her ridiculous plan to raise fuel duty.”
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride added: “It’s no secret that Reeves and Starmer have wanted to row back on Brexit since day one and we can expect to hear more detail on Labour’s plan to drag us closer to the EU at the Chancellor’s speech today.
“Labour are desperate to blame anyone but themselves for their economic failures.
“Under increasing pressure, having mismanaged the economy, Reeves would rather point the finger at Brexit than accept their poor choices have been a disaster for our economy.”
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Dame Esther Rantzen says peers must ‘face the facts’ over assisted dying bill
Dame Esther Rantzen has urged peers in the House of Lords to “face the facts” and back assisted dying legislation, saying a “small minority” is trying to sabotage the Bill.
Opponents of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill have been continually accused of trying to “talk out” the Bill as it makes its way through the upper chamber, where it will fail if it does not pass before the current parliamentary session ends in May.
Speaking to the BBC, Dame Esther said: “I’m just begging the House of Lords to face the facts, which is the elected chamber has voted, a majority, for this to go through.
“The majority of the public want and need this Bill.”
RECAP: Reform council to vote to declare small boats crisis ‘terrorist threat’
Reform Councillors on Kent County Council made the announcement
| PA
Kent County Council’s Reform UK administration is set to vote on declaring an “illegal migration emergency” this Thursday, in what is believed to be the first such declaration by a local authority.
The motion, tabled by councillors David Wimble and Jeremy Eustace, argues that the county sits at the frontline of Channel crossings that are placing considerable pressure on local services and finances.
A five-page report accompanying the proposal warns that small boat arrivals are “likely to contain a number of potential terrorist cells, supporting IS and al-Qaeda”.
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Here’s what’s happening today in Westminster
Good Morning and Happy St Patrick’s Day from all of us on the GB News Politics team. Here’s what’s happening today in Westminster and beyond.
Sir Keir Starmer will have his weekly cabinet meeting this morning as he rallies his top team with the war in Iran rumbling on.
He’ll also be joined in Downing Street by President Volodymyr Zelensky and Nato chief Mark Rutte today to discuss the war in Ukraine and the fallout from Donald Trump’s swipe at Sir Keir last night.
President Trump has said he is “not happy” with Downing Street after the Prime Minister said he wanted a “viable” option to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
He said: “I was very surprised with the United Kingdom, because the United Kingdom, two weeks ago, I said, ‘Why don’t you send some ships over’ and he really didn’t want to do it.
“I said ‘You don’t want to do it? We’ve been with you. You’re our oldest ally and we spend a lot of money on Nato and all of these things to protect you’…I think it’s terrible. I was very surprised.”
Reform’s senior trio of Nigel Farage, Robert Jenrick and Richard Tice will be holding press conference today setting out their economic plans.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is in East Surrey with her Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho while MSPs will decide if assisted dying should be legalized in Scotland when they cast a key vote this evening
Here on GB News, we’ll be joined by Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately and Secretary to the Treasury Dan Tomlinson.