Chancellor Rachel Reeves has declared she is sick of people 'mansplaining' how to do her job as she faces intense pressure and media scrutiny in the run-up to her pivotal first budget next week.
Facing the Pressure as the First Female Chancellor
In a candid interview, the UK's first female chancellor spoke openly about the unique challenges of her role. She revealed that constant political attacks, particularly from male commentators, serve as a motivation to prove her critics wrong.
"I recognise that I've got a target on me," Reeves stated. "You can see that in the media; they're going for me all the time. It's exhausting. But I'm not going to let them bring me down by undermining my character or my confidence. I've seen off a lot of those boys before and I'll continue to do so."
She expressed particular frustration with former male colleagues now writing newspaper columns or those who dismissively refer to her as "Rachel from accounts." This sentiment culminated in her blunt assessment: "I'm sick of people mansplaining how to be chancellor to me."
A Budget of Tough Choices
With the budget announcement imminent, Reeves remained tight-lipped on specifics but acknowledged the enormous fiscal challenges. The financial package is expected to raise at least £20bn in taxes through a series of measures, including:
- Lower income tax thresholds
- A new levy on gambling
- Increased tax on higher-value properties
- Changes to pensions tax relief
Reeves admitted that governing has been more complex than anticipated, noting, "I'm not even sure any more what the popular path is." She highlighted the difficult balancing act between calls for tax cuts, high borrowing levels, and struggling public services.
"Borrowing is too high, but you can't cut it overnight," she explained. "Public services are a mess, but we haven't got loads of money to throw at them... We can't just carry on like this and muddle through. We have to make some decisions to get on a different path."
Standing Firm and Delivering for the Public
Reeves's resolve was further illustrated by a reported incident where she told a business leader, "Talk to me with respect – I'm the chancellor of the exchequer," after a robust challenge over North Sea drilling tax.
Alongside the anticipated tax rises, the budget will include action on the cost of living, with energy bills a key focus. As a first step, the chancellor has already confirmed an extension of the freeze on NHS prescription charges, keeping the cost at £9.90 for another year.
"No one should put their health at risk because they can't afford their medication," Reeves said, "and as the cost of living still puts pressure on households I'm extending the cash freeze on prescription charges."
She pledged that her budget would make the "fair choices" necessary to deliver on the government's core promises: cutting NHS waiting lists, reducing the cost of living, and managing the national debt.
