We can weather this

Chancellor's vow as fears grow on conflict hiking our bills

- BY LIZZY BUCHAN Political Editor

RACHEL Reeves insisted our economy can weather the impact of the Iran war, as fears mount over family finances.

The Chancellor's Spring Statement on Tuesday was overshadowed by war raging in the Middle East as experts warned the deadly attacks could upend her economic plans.

But yesterday she said she had stabilised the public finances after the mess left by the Tories and the UK was in a stronger position to face the turbulence as borrowing costs have fallen.

She told the Mirror: "What is unfolding in the Middle East shows how important it is to have returned stability to the economy.

"I'm confident we can weather whatever is thrown at us. We are a strong economy. But, of course, as ever since I became Chancellor, my number one priority is to make working people better off by growing our economy."

Ms Reeves met leaders from the oil and gas sector in Downing Street yesterday and pledged to work with them to navigate the uncertainty triggered by the crisis in Iran.

CONSEQUENCES