Rachel Reeves didn’t hold back today when she said she’s cracking on with the job of being Chancellor.
The tears rolling down her face had gone and instead a smiley and upbeat Ms Reeves was on show.
PARachel Reeves was all smiles at NHS launch after tears were shed in the Commons on Wednesday[/caption]
Not known, clear with picture deskSir Keir and Ms Reeves hug at NHS event earlier today[/caption]
There was a slightly awkward hug for Sir Keir Starmer but she was there to send a signal.
It was a clear message to both Westminster and the City that she isn’t going anywhere.
On the political side, Sir Keir Starmer gave the Chancellor her fulsome support which didn’t happen during that Prime Minister’s Questions.
For the City, the show of unity with the PM sends the message that she’s not being replaced, calming nerves in the markets.
Traders are concerned that any successor could blow up her fiscal rules which could trigger a borrowing spree and cause havoc in the money markets.
Her appearance at the launch of the NHS 10-year strategy was a surprise but Downing Street was clearly keen to end any speculation about her future.
by Noa Hoffman, Political Correspondent
SIR Keir Starmer travelled to East London to talk about his big plan for the NHS.
But unfortunately for the PM there was only one story in town grasping the interest of the nation – that of his embattled Chancellor.
Rumours began swirling early morning that Rachel Reeves would be joining the PM and his Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, on their visit to a neighbourhood health centre.
The unplanned move was designed to send a message: everything is ok here.
The PM’s press conference was delayed by 20 minutes as his team carefully choreographed the Chancellor’s every step.
Dozens of nurses and doctors dripped with sweat in a large and extremely hot clinic room as they waited to hear from the trio.
Finally they were ready – and boy did they put on a show.
The political heavyweights marched into the enclave of NHS staff beaming from ear to ear.
Ms Reeves was today looking sharp and stylish in a perfectly tailored power suit.
During Mr Streeting’s welcome address her smile did not drop once.
And that didn’t change when she took to address the room either.
But what the Chancellor didn’t do is address the tears that caused bond yields to move and sent speculation about her future into a frenzy yesterday
The Chancellor again refused to rule out tax rises in the Autumn saying she wasn’t going to speculate as she awaits a new forecast from the independent watchdog.
But she did have a stern message for Labour rebels who think they can get what they want after the government climbdown.
She said “of course there is a cost” to any of her colleagues intent on asking for more money to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
They pushed for the benefits crackdown to be watered down and that will inevitably lead to more spending cuts or tax hikes as she sticks to her strict fiscal rules.
Rachel Reeves is having to find more money by the day. Whether its £5 billion for welfare, £1.5 billion for the winter fuel payment retreat….it all adds up.
This is before UK growth forecasts are likely to be downgraded this autumn ahead of the Budget.
There may have been tears on show from the Chancellor this week.
But her financial headaches are only just beginning.
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