Chancellor reveals new money-raising powers for mayors

IT'S a busy life being Chancellor of the Exchequer. At 12.30pm on Tuesday, Rachel Reeves was still taking Treasury questions in the Commons, but less than four hours later she was up in Hull ready to be quizzed in front of the North's political leaders.

- ROB PARSONS

The Leeds MP even found time to squeeze in an interview with the Mirror's political editor Lizzy Buchan on the train up from King's Cross, insisting she was "standing firm" on the unpopular tax hikes unveiled in last month's Budget.

Taking questions at The Yorkshire Post's (TYP) Great Northern Conference in Hull later, the Chancellor's refusal to repeat her promise not to raise taxes or borrowing in future budgets was what made the headlines.