Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, has stated that Andy Burnham will "almost certainly" be the next Prime Minister. Reeves made these remarks during a visit to Ukraine, where she also defended her spending record within the Treasury and confirmed that the government's defense investment plan is set to be published "imminently."
Reeves, who has been closely associated with Keir Starmer, has faced scrutiny over her tenure. She highlighted her contributions to increasing investment in infrastructure, including transport connections across the North of England and not solely in London and the southeast. She also cited achievements such as growing the economy, lifting children out of poverty, and increasing the national minimum wage, as well as a significant increase in investment in the economy.
Regarding defense, Reeves indicated that the forthcoming plan will involve increased financial commitment. "I'm already the Chancellor that's overseen the biggest uplift in defence spending since the end of the Cold War," she stated, adding that recognition of current challenges necessitates further increases. The plan, she explained, will be a detailed account of how additional funds will be allocated to address contemporary and future security challenges, focusing on "the wars of tomorrow and today, not of the past."
During her visit to Kyiv, Reeves met with British and Ukrainian technology and defense companies involved in frontline innovation. She stressed the importance of incorporating lessons learned from the front lines into the defense investment plan, acknowledging the evolving nature of warfare and the need to equip for future battles. The defense investment plan is expected to be published before the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.
When questioned about her own position, Reeves stated that decisions regarding ministerial appointments are the prerogative of the Prime Minister. She expressed pride in her accomplishments in the Treasury, including the substantial increase in investment across various sectors such as defense, energy infrastructure, digital infrastructure, and transportation networks.