Rachel Reeves has been straight with the public, says No 10 amid CV questions
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Downing Street has supported Rachel Reeves, stating that she has been honest with the public, in response to accusations that the Chancellor has exaggerated her qualifications.
Over the weekend, several newspapers challenged Ms. Reeves' assertion made in a 2021 interview with Stylist magazine that she had worked at the Bank of England for ten years. However, her LinkedIn profile indicates that her time there was actually six years, from 2000 to 2006.
Various news sources have also noted an update to her profile on the social networking site, which has taken down her position as an economist at Halifax Bank of Scotland.
This Chancellor has been honest with the public regarding the condition of the country's finances and what needs to be done to regain financial stability. This transparency is crucial.
Her profile currently lists the position as a "retail banking" job, which she occupied from 2006 to 2009.
When questioned about whether the Chancellor had overstated her accomplishments, No 10 stood by her achievements during her time in office.
A spokesperson stated, "The Prime Minister is quite clear that the Chancellor has brought back financial stability."
She mentioned, “This individual entered office and immediately took a close look at the situation, revealing a £22 billion gap in the public finances. They've been honest with the public about what needs to be done to achieve a balanced budget and regain financial stability despite this challenge.”
When asked about Sir Keir Starmer’s views on the reports, the spokesperson for No 10 said, “He believes that the Chancellor has been transparent with the public regarding the condition of the nation's finances and the steps needed to achieve financial stability. That’s the key point.”
Ms. Reeves' LinkedIn profile highlights her professional experience starting from the year 2000.
During her six years at the Bank, she held positions in three different departments. First, she was part of the international economic analysis team, then she worked at the British Embassy in Washington DC within the economic division as a second secretary, and lastly, she joined the structural economic analysis division.
Next, it details her tenure at Halifax Bank of Scotland, followed by her journey in politics that began with her election in 2010.
Questions regarding Ms. Reeves' employment background came to light as government officials dealt with increasing frustration from farmers over the inheritance tax changes introduced by the Chancellor in the recent Budget.
On Tuesday, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) is organizing a large gathering of Members of Parliament (MPs) in Westminster, which will coincide with a different protest event.
They are cautioning that more farmers will be affected by alterations to tax benefits related to their properties and land than the Treasury has recognized.
Official projections indicate that only the wealthiest 25% of landowners will be impacted. However, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and other groups argue that changes to inheritance tax benefits could cause additional farmers to incur higher costs.
