Rachel Reeves tells Andy Burnham why she should stay as Chancellor - but 'Red Ed Miliband' secures secret economic role

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Jun 25, 2026 - 11:52

Rachel Reeves tells Andy Burnham why she should stay as Chancellor - but 'Red Ed Miliband' secures secret economic role

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has appealed Andy Burnham why she should stay in her job while "Red Ed Miliband" has secured a secret economic role, sources say.

In a pitch to keep her job, Ms Reeves has told Mr Burnham she has "unfinished business" in No11 and her approach to fiscal policy was "beginning to bear fruit".

Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce summit, the Chancellor said: "I’m proud of my record... There is more to do, but all of that has to be anchored around that stability that I’ve returned to the economy.”

She added: "I hope that whoever is chancellor, in the future, whenever that future may be, sticks to what I’m doing because it is beginning to bear fruit.

"And we are seeing that investment return to the economy, that growth return to the economy, and crucially, that stability, so that businesses can plan and invest for the future."

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who is understood to be a contender for Ms Reeves's role, is already playing an important part in developing economic policies for the incoming Prime Minister, the Times reports.

The economic policies "Red Ed" is developing are understood to have fiscal implications, with his aides relaying ideas back to Mr Burnham's transition team.

He and his team are understood to have been working with Mr Burnham for weeks.

Despite the collaboration, Mr Burnham is said to be cooling off on the idea to place Mr Miliband at No11.

A source close to Mr Burnham has said Mr Miliband's appointment is now "50/50", the Telegraph has revealed.

Continue my approach, Rachel Reeves tells Chancellor-to-be

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has indicated her successor should continue her fiscal policy approach as it is "beginning to bear fruit".

Speaking at a British Chambers of Commerce summit, she said: "I hope that whoever is chancellor, in the future, whenever that future may be, sticks to what I’m doing because it is beginning to bear fruit.

"And we are seeing that investment return to the economy, that growth return to the economy, and crucially, that stability, so that businesses can plan and invest for the future."

She also joked she was "not sure anyone wants my advice", which received laughed from the audience of business leaders.

Britons who refuse to pay benefits debts risk losing driving licence under tough new rules

Britons could have their driving licence removed and slapped with a hefty fine under sweeping new powers aimed at tackling fraud.

The measures, introduced under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025, represent the most significant crackdown on welfare debt in a generation.

From today, the Department for Work and Pensions is dispatching letters to thousands of people with outstanding debts, instructing them to make contact and arrange payment or face serious consequences.

The legislation targets former benefit claimants who have ceased receiving payments but continue to owe money to the DWP.

Read Hemma Visavadia's story here.

Publication date of Defence Investment Plan still uncertain

Dan Tomlinson Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury could not provide a precise date of when the Defence Investment Plan (Dip) will be published.

The long delayed plan has seen both Defence Secretary John Healey and armed forces minister Al Carns resign from their roles over it.

Mr Tomlinson told GB News: "I don't know precisely which date we'll publish on, but I understand it's the Prime Minister's intention to make sure that it's published for the [Nato] summit that he'll be attending in the coming days.

"These decisions are difficult. We do need to make sure that we increase our expenditure on defense further."

Every department contributing to increase defence spending, says tax minister

Dan Tomlinson Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury said every Government department is making savings to contribute towards increased defence spending.

Speaking to GB News, he said: "Every single department is going to contribute to the need to fund the Defence Investment Plan.

"HMRC is being asked to make savings and so are departments across Government.

"These decisions aren't easy, but the Chancellor, the Prime Minister, and the Defence Secretary will make sure that we publish the plan, and we have a further increase in spending on top of what the Government's already announced."

Conservative party is policy ready ahead of potential general election, says Kevin Hollinrake

Party Chair of the Conservatives Kevin Hollinrake said the party has "a plan" ahead of a potential snap general election, but made clear they are willing to work in step with the Government if it's in the national interest.

When questioned whether the Tories are policy ready, he said: "We've got a plan to do this, so if an election comes, we're ready for it, but we're willing to work in the national interest alongside the Government.

"Andy Burnham's come forward, he says he's interested in reform welfare to fund defence - that's the right thing to do.

"We're offering our 117 votes in the House to be able to do this quickly to make sure our defence, our forces, are ready."

He concluded if Mr Burnham was not willing to make the appropriate forms to free up money for defence, then the Conservatives "want a general election because the fence of the realm is too important".

'Kemi tells you like it is' - Kevin Hollinrake backs Conservative leader's attacks on Bridget Phillipson

Party Chair of the Conservatives Kevin Hollinrake supported his leader's comments in PMQs yesterday, where Kemi Badenoch shot criticism at the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson for starting "class warfare".

Speaking to GB News, he said: "Kemi tells you like it is - she and I and many other people see what Bridget Phillipson has done in terms of basically an assault on independent education, which has led to this closure of 100 schools and 30,000 children going moving from the independent sector into the state sector.

"The fact that 0 per cent of school teachers think Bridget Phillips is doing a good job, I think I agree with Kemi's language. I think it is class warfare. I think it is spiteful."

Rachel Reeves claims economy in better state than when she inherited it

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said her time in the Treasury has improved the economy, leaving it in a better state than she found it.

She moved into No11 in July 2024 and implemented the controversial tax raid on pensioners, farmers and small businesses, with unemployment rates higher than when she took office.

However, she claimed she has restored economic stability, with the UK recording the fastest growth in the G7 of the first quarter of this year, the Telegraph reports.

She said: "I’ve been there every step of the way, making the decisions to turn round our economy.

"And I think the important point is whoever’s Prime Minister in a few weeks’ time will inherit a stronger economy and a fairer economy than the one I inherited when I became Chancellor two years ago.”