Reeves on ropes in crunch week

Tax fears and woeful growth haunt Chancellor's speech

- By David Williamson CHIEF POLITICAL COMMENTATOR

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves will attempt to restore confidence in the economy this week amid fears of tax hikes in the autumn and the worry that the country could slide into recession.

She will deliver the Mansion House speech on Tuesday, less than a week after official figures showed the economy contracted for the second month in a row.

Ms Reeves is under pressure to set out how she will fund welfare U-turns and fill a potential £30bil-lion hole in the nation’s finances.

Kemi Badenoch will demand a commitment to not taxing people’s savings, homes and pensions.

The Conservative leader said: "Keir Starmer promised not to raise taxes on working people.

"Then he hiked National Insurance, and we’re all seeing the result — sustained rises in unemployment and decreases in economic growth."