Reeves is 'cracking on with job' after Commons tears

Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves hugged each other as they launched their new plan for the NHS and put behind them a troubled week that saw markets panic over the chancellor's future.

- DAVID MADDOX POLITICAL EDITOR

The united front came after the chancellor’s tears in the Commons on Wednesday threatened to plunge the Labour government into turmoil following the chaos of the welfare reform vote.

In a bid to ease shattered nerves, the chancellor made a surprise appearance at the launch of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan in Stratford, east London, after the prime minister had moved overnight to guarantee her future in the Treasury.

Bond markets had reacted badly to Sir Keir’s refusal to guarantee she was safe in her job during PMQs on Wednesday, where Ms Reeves appeared visibly upset while sitting behind the prime minister.

But a grinning Ms Reeves was bullish during the event yesterday morning, in what was intended to be a confirmation of her close partnership with Sir Keir. She said: “Today’s a new day and I’m just cracking on with the job.”