The Chancellor's decision to accept free tickets to last weekend's gig at London 's O2 Arena sparked a backlash from Labour MPs unhappy at looming welfare cuts.
The Chancellor declared that 'the world has changed and we are feeling the consequences' after the economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1 per cent in January.
The latest decline in the UK economy - output fell 0.1 per cent in January - is the result of the Chancellor's disastrous anti-business growth-sapping Budget, writes HUGO DUNCAN.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves voiced defiance despite half of Keir Starmer's top team apparently voicing alarm at the welfare proposals at their weekly meeting on Tuesday.
The Chancellor was said to be considering the idea of reducing the amount that can be saved into cash Isas annually to encourage people to direct more money into stocks and shares.
Whatever reason you're investing - or could be convinced to - I'd guess it's not to drive economic growth. Yet, that's precisely what the Chancellor wants us to do.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said reducing the welfare bill is the 'right thing to do' as she battles to avoid the need for tax rises at the Spring Statement later this month.