As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver her crucial Autumn Budget this week, all eyes are on the woman who made history as Britain's first female Chancellor of the Exchequer since the role's creation in 1221.
The Road to Number 11
Rachel Reeves, now 46, has charted an extraordinary path from her childhood in Lewisham to becoming one of Britain's most powerful political figures. The self-confessed 'girlie swot' demonstrated her competitive nature early, spending lunchtimes alone at Cator Park School for Girls working through old exam papers.
Her academic brilliance saw her study maths, further maths, economics and politics at A-level before securing a place at Oxford's New College to read Politics, Philosophy and Economics. She later earned a Master's degree from the London School of Economics.
Reeves' strategic mind was evident from her childhood chess prowess - she became British girls under-14 chess champion after learning the game from her father at just seven years old.
Family Life and Political Partnership
Behind the powerful politician stands a remarkable family unit. Reeves is married to Nicholas Joicey, a senior civil servant currently serving as Second Permanent Secretary and Group Chief Operating Officer at DEFRA. The couple, who met in Washington while Reeves was working at the British embassy, have two children - Anna Elizabeth, born in 2013, and Harold, born in 2015.
Their relationship appears built on shared intellectual interests - Reeves once revealed they spent Valentine's Day watching a Newsnight special about the Swedish banking crisis.
Joicey earns approximately £110,000 annually, complementing his wife's near £150,000 salary as Chancellor. His distinguished career includes previous roles as Director General of the Cabinet Office's Economic and Domestic Secretariat and speechwriter for Gordon Brown.
Political Battles and Budget Pressures
Reeves faces significant challenges as she approaches Wednesday's Budget announcement. Recent months have seen controversy over her family home in Dulwich, which was rented out without the required selective licence from Southwark Council.
The Chancellor defended herself by publishing emails showing the letting agency had agreed to handle the licence application, though she accepted 'full responsibility' for the oversight.
In the upcoming Budget, Reeves is expected to scrap the two-child benefit cap, reduce energy bills, adjust pension benefits and introduce taxes on the largest properties. These measures come amid growing pressure on the Chancellor, who recently expressed frustration at being 'mansplained' about her role and labelled 'Rachel from accounts' by critics.
The Chancellor has spoken openly about the challenges of balancing motherhood with high office, having been the first woman in the Shadow Cabinet to juggle both roles. She returned to work five months after her first child's birth, describing the balancing act as challenging but manageable with a supportive husband and family.
A Political Dynasty
Reeves' political connections extend beyond her marriage. Her sister, Ellie Reeves, serves as MP for Lewisham West and East Dulwich and holds the position of Chair of the Labour Party. Like her elder sister, Ellie attended Oxford and pursued a legal career before entering politics.
The family's political influence was demonstrated when Reeves became emotional during Prime Minister's Questions, attributing her tears to personal issues unrelated to her official duties. She noted that unlike most people, 'when I'm having a tough day it's on the telly'.
As she prepares to brandish the iconic red Budget box on the steps of Number 11, Reeves remains focused on proving her capability, stating: 'I want to show the public that they can trust me with their money, to run the economy.'
