Journalist Andrew Neil and chancellor Rachel Reeves (Image: PA/GETTY)
ripped into Chancellor Rachel Reeves over plans to launch a war on waste in a bid to stabilise public finances.
The veteran broadcaster said the idea that Labour would take on unions to boost productivity in the public sector was “ludicrous”.
He added that the pledge shows she has “run out of ideas” and her days “maybe numbered”.
In a post on X, Mr Neil said: “Chancellor Rachel Reeves has let it be known that she plans a war on ‘waste and inefficiency’ across the public sector to stabilise her increasingly shaky hold on the public finances, in which she will leave ‘no stone unturned’.
“First, the idea this government will do anything to tackle the dead hand of public-sector unions opposed to most reforms which would increase productivity is ludicrous. Just about every stone will be left unturned.
“Second, when politicians fall back on ‘waste and inefficiency’ as their get out of jail card you know they’ve run out of ideas — and that their days in office are maybe numbered.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has let it be known that she plans a war on “waste and inefficiency” across the public sector to stabilise her increasingly shaky hold on the public finances, in which she will leave “no stone unturned”. First, the idea this government will do anything…
— Andrew Neil (@afneil)
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It comes as the Chancellor will lead a new push aimed at getting a grip on “waste and inefficiency” across the public sector which will leave “no stone unturned”.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said: “When speaking to our colleagues in Cabinet, we have been abundantly clear about the mess we were left and the fiscal picture in front of us.
“Firstly, we simply cannot operate in a business-as-usual way when reviewing departmental budgets for the coming years.
“Secondly, when it comes to tackling waste, nothing is off the table.
“That’s why we will leave no stone unturned when it comes to rooting out waste across the public sector.
“Departments have been told they must find savings and efficiencies across their budgets while making sure every pound of taxpayer money is spent wisely.”
He added that Britain has “already endured years of waste and inefficiency in the public sector” and that billions of pounds have been lost.
It comes after turbulence on the gilt markets last week as the backlash to Labour’s first Budget continued.
Increases in the Government’s borrowing costs have sparked concern that the Chancellor will be unable to meet her debt and spending targets, requiring either tax rises or deeper spending cuts when she delivers a fiscal statement at the end of March.