Spending plans stand-off between Rayner and Reeves

Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves are at loggerheads over the crucial spending review as the deputy prime minister’s department passed an unofficial deadline to settle its budget until the next general election without securing an agreement.

- DAVID MADDOX

With the spending review set to be unveiled on 11 June, departments have told The Independent that the Treasury wanted its plans agreed by the start of this weekend.

But The Independent understands that Ms Rayner’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is one of several departments yet to settle with Ms Reeves and her deputy Darren Jones.

The clash at the top of the government comes as ministers resist cuts to their departments and marks a distinct clash over political philosophy between the two most senior women in the cabinet.

Ms Rayner wants a more progressive higher tax approach with fewer cuts, while Ms Reeves is being accused of wanting “austerity 2.0”.

Ms Reeves has also been struggling to reach deals with Yvette Cooper’s Home Office, Steve Reed’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Ed Miliband’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.