Rachel Reeves makes first speech as UK chancellor - watch live

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor of the exchequer, makes her first speech in her new post
Subscribe to Guardian News on KZbin ► bit.ly/guardian...
The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► bit.ly/3uhA7zg
Sign up to the Guardian's free new daily newsletter, First Edition ► theguardian.com...
Website ► www.theguardia...
Facebook ► / theguardian
Twitter ► / guardian
Instagram ► / guardian
The Guardian on KZbin:
The Guardian ► bit.ly/guardia...
Guardian Australia ► bit.ly/guardia...
Guardian Football ► bit.ly/gdnfoot...
Guardian Sport ► bit.ly/gdnspor...
Guardian Live ► bit.ly/guardia...
#rachelreeves #labour #politics #ukelection #uknews

[@richardwright5525]

Liverpool Central Docks is a sleeping giant. Liverpool's docks are literally the window to the UK. Millions of people judge the whole country, our culture and economy on the strength of the city's waterfront. Make Liverpool the jewel in the country's crown. It is strategically vital at the crossroads of England, Ireland and Wales and should be a flagship city.

[@jopa1328]

Here here! As a southerner, I'm fed up of the neglect the north consistently faces.

[@ozzya9977]

The northwest should be an industrial powerhouse for this country as it once was for sure

[@DaveCoakley]

Absolutely spot on. Liverpool and Wirral Waters are ready to go. For too many years though, there has been NIMBYISM, deferring to heritage bodies and WHS concerns, and a bizarre ban on skyscrapers being built in a self-defeating tall buildings cap policy.

[@paulgibbons2320]

Alright alright calmdown. 🙌

[@TimComley]

I’m not sure millions do

[@monsieurloving5797]

This Chancellor is a breath of fresh air.........she's not here to play games. This is what this great nation needs.

[@Millennial1993]

Great words no actual facts yet 😅 we will see

[@nithyarajendrababu4020]

hello... waking you up now

[@seanmcdonald8998]

5:43 start time

[@seanmcdonald8998]

21:19 questions start

[@LeafWindow]

the lord's work, thank you

[@papercup2517]

@@seanmcdonald8998 Thank you both of you!

[@Leon-pi6us]

@@papercup2517both of who bruh

[@PhilosoG]

For a second, I also thought it was 2 separate comments and then realised it was just the same person 😅

[@EuroGhgkj]

Brilliant speech 👏 The adults have finally arrived in parliament after 14 years of terrible Tories

[@redlightmax]

Tory-bles™️ - gotta vote 'em all out!

[@Pablo260492]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@TimComley]

Thought it lack lustre and bit nervous

[@TimComley]

@@redlightmaxnext one in crayon

[@melgrant7404]

​@@TimComleynot at all.

[@patrikfloding7985]

The key to growth is investment. Not cost cutting, like the Tories believed.

[@RM-jj4xi]

Depends if it has a fiscal multiplier.

[@patrikfloding7985]

@@RM-jj4xiwell, I’m not talking about enriching investors here. Higher standards of living, and better infrastructure leads to a healthier, happier people. There’s your “fiscal multiplier”. Austerity is our cost cutting, and that only leads to a downward spiral with more poor people, with poor education, low wages and massive wealth gaps. Just like the Tories like it.

[@jasontrow2483]

Refreshing. Sound's like competence.

[@nikashby6363]

She did work for the bank of England so does know her stuff ..... a new dawn is looming and looking brighter

[@lw1zfog]

😂🤣😂🤦🏽‍♂️🥴🤡 sounds like a malfunctioning android

[@melgrant7404]

@@lw1zfog yourself you mean.

[@chatham43]

@Jason And you know all about competence?

[@JasonDrWho]

Fantastic first speech from our new Labour Chancellor. She was measured, honest, and authentic, presenting herself as if she has been in the role for years. Although there are hard decisions ahead, I believe that once we navigate this temporary period and growth begins, the future will be bright.

[@malcolmmitchell6529]

Unable to give a timeline, hardly fantastic.

[@cmdrlevianova1485]

​@malcolmmitchell6529 she clearly forgot to do a cursory glance at the public information on government income and spending. Unless shes lieing and framing it to be worse than it is. "Private investment" means public money for friends lol

[@Visherex]

Well said sir

[@Pablo260492]

That's great ❤

[@Kellycreator]

Rachel genuinely surprised me. I’m not a Labour supporter at all but she was unwavering in her speech. It was delivered with confidence so before throwing the baby out with the bath water, give her more than 72 hours before judgement.

[@leewoodard5871]

We can't complain about lack of housing and yet keep blocking building new ones. This is going to upset people, but we need houses. They are taking no prisoners to get stuff done. Just waiting for the Grifter from Clacton to start claiming all sorts of nonsense about asylum seekers getting penthhouses.

[@32446]

We need to turn empty properties and derelict buildings into homes first before building on green belt.

[@pearlupthejunction]

@@32446absolutely agree….

[@wokelefty]

​@@32446there are very few empty buildings in my part of Surrey. The empties are already being turned in to flats, and there are plenty of fields surrounding towns. Let the farmers make a few bob for a change. Build, build, build. Lets give our kids some hope of have their own place to live one day.

[@jamil027]

​@@32446The green belt includes wastelands and disused car parks. Are you opposed to building on these?

[@kaiserblazer]

@@32446 If those are empty or derelict, they are probably in undesirable locations. We need to build housing in areas where people want to live.

[@ascgazz]

Does this country feel more chilled to everyone, or is it just me?

[@paulparkes7761]

Definitely! Aaaaaand breathe...

[@jacquelinenunn6597]

Yesss like I can relax😅

[@TheQuestionTheAnswer]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought this, it just feels happier. Guess that's the difference when your government isn't constantly gaslighting you.

[@ascgazz]

@@jacquelinenunn6597 well, maybe not in our own lives, but knowing there are adults checking on the big stuff behind the scenes… Not just a bunch of self serving snakes. 🐍

[@bornforbanning]

It does, and it’ll last all of 3 months before we realise that they’re worse than the last lot😂

[@hyperbole2008]

One massive issue that people are either ignoring or appear to be ignorant of is the massive number of properties in this country and abroad, which are being procured for the sole purpose of maximising income from rentals in the tourist industry and pricing working people out of housing in their local communities. See protests in Barcelona and do your research on places in UK affected by this phenomena. The impact is not negligable. It's huge! This phenomena was ballooned by the likes of AirBnB which is great for those wanting a cheap holiday and those wanting to profit from property ownership, but disastrous for local working people trying to secure a tenancy or buy their first property.

[@martinbutler1075]

Clearly better than any Tory chancellor - if only in terms of seriousness

[@FrogPop-im8py]

Stop saying the word reform. Brand recognition.

[@MrFlash4203]

I remember the same sort of speech when the coalition government came into power about labour leaving a lot of debt that needed to be sorted out 😂 it was almost word for word

[@wokelefty]

😂, they done a fine job on that.

[@toadmeister1964]

See, I knew there wasn't a plan! Wait... What?

[@Sally237-s4w]

Others don’t have the time or the crayons to explain.

[@aaronclarke1434]

@@Sally237-s4whaha. “Or the crayons”

[@eveythingthatsadam]

A human being for a change!

[@lw1zfog]

RoboReeves ? 🤖🤖🤖

[@chatham43]

@everything...but a politician nevertheless...

[@archie8409]

some very refreshing words

[@perryvalton3296]

Words are very cheap 😔

[@melgrant7404]

​@@perryvalton3296not just words here clearly.

[@lw1zfog]

so you’re easily fooled then, hmmmm, ok.

[@archie8409]

@@lw1zfog I appreciate a change from the trussonomic, tufton street, anti investment rhetoric which has seen this country stagnate. Nothing foolish about that.

[@melgrant7404]

@@archie8409 agree.

[@yocoffee]

Determined. Great first speech.

[@DoriZuza]

I saw Rachel’s interview with Rory and Alastair. I’m glad she’s the new chancellor.

[@ascgazz]

THIS IS PATRIOTISM. Looking after our nation sensibly, while not excluding us from the rest of the world.

[@chatham43]

@asc What are you talking about. They haven't been in 3 minutes😂😂😂

[@janeymckay1966]

Is it just me, or are the journalists asking more sensible questions as well?

[@gomey70]

I'm glad there are competent people back in charge, but unless wealth inequality is seriously addressed, there'll be no meaningful change. People living on foodbanks don't want to hear about growth and GDP. Neo-liberal trickle-down economics has failed.

[@lw1zfog]

so do you reckon those food banks will be vanishing soon then ?

[@piotrrostow]

What a beautiful smile at the end!

[@christopherflux6254]

I don’t think I’ve seen her smile before. Which is absolutely fine, because we need her to sort out the nations finances, not make us feel cheerful.

[@janeymckay1966]

Excellent - my only query is who will do the building - we are desperately short of skilled construction workers and increasing numbers will take time (through apprenticeships etc). To meet the urgency of the issue, there has to be acceptance that we may need to bring skilled workers in through targeted immigration. At last, grown-up government from grown-up politicians.

[@gezglobal1117]

Very perceptive and practical insightful comment👍

[@GiZeeGis]

Along side that, offer more places for Apprenticeship, increase apprenticeship Levy to 1%. Offer more nurses places, also at least give students nurse remittance for travel cost because at the moment moment, from what I have heard, they don't receive anything

[@redlightmax]

"To meet the urgency of the issue, there has to be acceptance that we may need to bring skilled workers in through targeted immigration." Nigel Farage was unavailable for comment.

[@godoflemmings17]

In the long run, I can see Reeves and James Timpson working together to get convicts and ex-cons trained up as construction workers in a similar scheme to what he does for his company. That would definitely be on brand for him and would be a huge benefit for all involved.

[@bordersw1239]

By using modular housing systems.

[@KirkpatrickSounds]

A genuinely fantastic speech. Fills me with optimism.

[@lw1zfog]

😂🤣😂🤦🏽‍♂️🥴🤡

[@KirkpatrickSounds]

@@lw1zfog Quiet bot.

[@lw1zfog]

@@KirkpatrickSounds you got fiLLEd wiTh oPTimisM by a BofE W.E.F. apparatchik ? how quaint.

[@mattpreece6106]

I like that approach. You must build housing and you can chose where locally.. but if you just waste time we will chose for you because its too important to do nothing. Finally the NIMBY crowd can shut up.

[@mickgascoigne4003]

What’s the nimby crowd

[@mattpreece6106]

@@mickgascoigne4003 Not In My Back Yard. People who won't allow needed infrastructure and housing because it should be somebody else's problem and usually has reasons like wanting to keep housing prices high.

[@chatham43]

@matt But you didn't?

[@mattpreece6106]

@@chatham43 Didn't what sorry? I am not a NIMBY we had our bus station moved to put up flats. It isnt an ideal place but I feel like we can talk about how convenient things are AFTER people have a roof over their heads and can afford to live. The reality is we have to get the basics right. An old WW2 runway or my bus station is less important than families having somewhere they can afford to live.

[@user-lr7is7eu6q]

Finally - Just listening to Rachel Reeves one feels a glimmer of hope - 👍

[@JasonDrWho]

“You can choose to be inspired by what Rachel Reeves is saying and create new opportunities for yourself in the economy she envisions. These opportunities create markets, which generate revenue, leading to salaries that drive increased spending in the UK economy. As a result, the entire system heats up nicely, fostering growth.

[@taraskywalker453]

Great speech 👍

[@chatham43]

@tara Yep..you ought to listen to it.

[@DansChan995]

5:46 speech starts.

[@IradeNasibova]

Marvellous speech

[@john-bo9ve]

Excellent speech 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@chatham43]

@john You might even listen to it one day.

[@john-bo9ve]

@@chatham43 i already did

[@Mia-Mendez]

Great speech 👍.

[@chatham43]

@Mia And you certainly listened to all of it.😊

[@richards9750]

Competence & professionalism. I’m impressed so far

[@rodericde876]

No more PPI or Private Equity in our public services please. Rebuild and renationalise. Don’t sell out to the asset strippers.

[@lw1zfog]

prepare for disappointment 😂

[@johnv467]

The NHS creaks slowly along as it is a public industry. It needs PPI and privatisation of some areas. As Farage said, the more money you throw at the NHS , the less gets done.

[@JS-vf5gn]

Where was this line of question from Sky and others when we had 14 years of Tory lead decline?

[@raymondpulham1600]

Would not like to get on the wrong side of her 🥺🥺

[@beautologist74]

Claire’s palette. Wow. 😂 Damning indictment in a calm voice. Love it!

[@sedwards7428]

foreigners that have multi houses is a problem -- these are sitting empty

[@user-pn8kk5ru8t]

Excellent speech. Serious politicians at last! Im realising that ive been traumatised by the last few concervative governments.... We had no stability, always a scandal of some sort, always serving self interest and never being honest. No exageration, i feel traumatised. Glad we have a serious government at last.

[@sophieschoices9663]

It was a constant soap opera, all about that self-serving party, instead of actually getting on with working for the people which is what they're there to do! They're public servants, the tories in their ignorance, arrogance and narcissim never understood that!

[@samuele.marcora]

finally some serious people at the steering wheel

[@chatham43]

@samuel We only need one at the steering wheel...otherwise things could get hairy.

[@chrisprendergast5477]

Guardian video editor. Ever heard of cropping?

[@user-ys5lz4qm2s]

Finally, the RIGHT person for this job ! Finally, some progressive approach to problems. Finally, we got rid off this old-fashioned, conservative thinking, and finally, we will start building and modernizing this country.

[@FrogPop-im8py]

Do not use the word reform in any communications

[@AdelleOverton]

STILL no interest in addressing or correcting the multiple Human Rights Violations against disabled people by the previous government... There are millions of disabled people who who could help this government achieve economic growth with the right support, but we are ignored yet again.

[@eveythingthatsadam]

Explain how you can't achieve economic growth .

[@martinbutler1075]

Not going to be in this speech

[@jonathanwhite460]

wow,what a woman.

[@alanfrost4661]

Did she consult Dianne Odd shoes

[@Kurt-u4n]

What a refreshing speech. It’s about time some serious adults took charge. Compare this to Rishi Sunak’s headline pledge on home ownership - 5% mortgages and no stamp duty - which does nothing to alleviate housing supply and rising prices. This country has been letting down the younger generations for too long and it’s great to see Labour finally doing something about it.

[@Hellishcrusade]

Watch her eyes ...look left, look center, then look right. That's what singers in bands do in front of an audience.

[@Nick_Tag]

Should have put at least one of the datacentres in a Northern region, not just jobs but --> cooler = more efficient.

[@Markymarkvinylnut]

Superb! Brilliant speech!

[@bornforbanning]

Was it? Had 0 substance

[@jaywales7421]

We'll see, if they use Wales as a blueprint you can expect wasted money.

[@dr.impossibleofcounterpunc1984]

That's all I hear, the words change and reset. The script needs dramatic change. When all you have is change and reset without a middle, then you know the script doctor advisor hasn't done his job.

[@ChrisHannon-pi8bc]

What a fantastic lady..very impressive

[@bornforbanning]

Why? Because she read a script off a teleprompter?

[@deborahneale7048]

I remember when the government DID build social housing. Why not now?

[@bernardgarrett3897]

Because Gov are poor at anything that requires efficiency.

[@simonmcglary]

Brownfield sites, excellent idea. If land isn’t wanted for it’s existing category, rezone it! Don’t have it sitting doing nothing, change! Progress doesn’t come from playing safe. High Streets are often mentioned as on the decline, well rethink how to use, and forget the boxes.

[@pamelajones5291]

Go Rachel! Brilliant....

[@AntonyHatcher]

Are you cutting all the red tape for companies and self employed

[@soltsdev]

that's great speech

[@johndean1634]

Agree with building 14,000 more Homes. But not to House Immigrants and Boat People. Those Houses Must Go to the People of the UK. Who have been waiting Years. Not to someone who just swans up on our Shores. For example the 50,000 already in Hotels that Labour are going to Fast Track into Our Society and Spread All Over the Country.

[@peterf46]

Is she obsessed with house building without any consideration for infrastructure including schools, businesses etc.?

[@keithwatson8055]

It makes a refreshing change to have a politician speak for 20 minutes without referring to a bunch of notes.

[@chrisnorthall8317]

except for the 2 autocues in front either side of her...

[@chatham43]

@keith She was certainly well rehearsed.

[@50RobinHill]

Isn't there more to growing an economy than building houses? Listening to this, I was struck by how little she had to say about anything else.

[@oceanpier]

​@@Queenofgreen515they have a manifesto, no.

[@RogerSutton-ik9fj]

Fine words about cutting red tape and getting on with shovels in the ground with cut through decisionmaking from the top until you try and reconcile the addition of 300 extra planning officers added to the bureaucracy. Could the Chancellor please explain that apparent contradiction?

[@karen-p3c]

Look on the bright side- when some pensioners get hypothermia, at least the doctors won't be on strike.

[@FoyezJitu]

I love her ❤ she’s a strong woman that Britain needs

[@papichuckle]

Let me guess none of this will be done within 5 years

[@chatham43]

@papi It's a fifteen year plan!

[@shankarbalakrishnan2360]

Hope ur money brings peace and creativity❤❤

[@benbae3449]

She’s very likeable and you definitely feel confident in her - hopefully she’ll be known for years to come as the best we have ever had. Let’s wait and see

[@sedwards7428]

dont take from wildlife

[@sharonyu6365]

this is surreal. where are the civil servants in the treasury? They don't give any introduction in this speech first and invite Rachel to deliver her speech?

[@vanevane9387]

Brilliant speech

[@FITZYIS]

she repeats a lot , !

[@celadortraffic819]

She talks in the exact same manner as Keir

[@pardeepbhakar4961]

But she does not keep looking down to read speech notes! All natural.

[@KirkpatrickSounds]

Speaks with confidence and competence. That's all we need.

[@mattcarpenter6986]

​@@pardeepbhakar4961She has glass teleprompters either side of her that she's reading from.

[@MotivateHouse]

Because she follows the party line to the letter. She is a cog in a machine, and she knows it. Another politician without ideas or convictions. So refreshing to see Farage go into debates unscripted.

[@KirkpatrickSounds]

@@MotivateHouse I heard plenty of ideas in this talk. Farage has none of any substance. Being unscripted says nothing about competence.

[@josephedwards4325]

Is making life better all about growth, I wonder? And will growth come at the cost of the environment? That's my question.

[@pardeepbhakar4961]

Rachel is a force to be reckoned with, she could be next Prime Minister if Kier stood down. In addition their manfesto was weak, hopfully they will deliver the plan they come up with.

[@Countryfever]

Hopefully 🙏

[@K_j_M]

It wasn't weak, it just wasn't populist fantasy like the majority of the others

[@yentemarien7032]

What a powerful strong determinated woman! 😊

[@realtaichi]

Will all of the 1.5 million new homes be net zero compliant, or will they have to be retro fitted with sufficient insulation, heat pumps and triple glazing at a later date at the owners and or tax payers' expense?

[@Countryfever]

We need immigration to fill the labour gap. Illegal immigration has no place however.

[@killafx4726]

Perhaps to an extent, but what we really need is investment in people and skills.

[@Countryfever]

@@killafx4726 agreed, and infrastructures. Housing, technology etc

[@hTyKn1]

Not when 85% coming in are unskilled

[@backgroundknowledgeisevery3089]

No mention of being outside the Single Market, which is costing the UK £100 billion per year. Approximately 200 times the amount it spends on public libraries. Hey-ho though, Rachel is “laser-focused on growth”.

[@danganrama92]

We voted to leave - like it or not. Remoaners need to accept it at this point.

[@BobSmith-s7j]

​@@danganrama92We did not vote to leave the single market and the customs union. We ended up with a harder Brexit than most Brexiteers were proposing in 2016.

[@przemekmigdal1163]

Omg this woman doesn't read from her notes she just speaks her mind. She has it all figured out step by step. Respect!

[@lindsaymylet]

I think she is reading from 2 prompters no?

[@lamb-chops]

She's reading from two large teleprompter on either side of her! You fool 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@peterwickberg5233]

Donald J Trump can save the economy in the UK. If he is not elected president in the US. Please ask him for help... :)

[@josephedwards4325]

She looks very scared to me. I imagine the state of the finances are pretty bad.

[@bornforbanning]

More like it’s because she knows Labour will be the biggest dissapointment in history🤣

[@martinengland7989]

She’s like a robot!!!!

[@earlydawn8183]

She’s reading it of course.

[@racheltaylor6578]

The terminator.

[@martinengland7989]

@@racheltaylor6578Yes I thought either the terminator or a Dalek!!!

[@Roberta80]

A prolonged period of silence from Tory trolls would be most welcome.

[@chatham43]

@robert...but you're still here..?

[@Jiefyang]

So,, she wants a building boom… More house, more plants, more roads. Planning reforms are great… not a simple task. I wish her luck

[@limpethead]

You are all little babies to Daddy government. Get a grip.

[@LeonLumley-Savile-hz9ey]

I’ve never seen so much nonsense in my life. 5 questions asked not a single one answered. She is just blagging the same 5 sentences in different order, absolute rubbish.

[@nikashby6363]

Are u the single voter that voted tory?

[@bornforbanning]

@@Queenofgreen515and yet you can’t deny what he said is true.

[@Ridz149]

she does sound like starmer

[@Kellycreator]

She speaks the same! Same tone, same inflictions. It’s actually weird!

[@patrikfloding7985]

Not used to hearing intelligent people speak?

[@20ZZ20]

probably because they are both from professional backgrounds

[@Ridz149]

@@patrikfloding7985 no I’m not making any remarks about what she’s saying. It’s the tone of her voice it’s weirdly similar to starmer. Maybe bc she’s heard him in parliament for so long 😂

[@patrikfloding7985]

@@Ridz149 Well, I think she sounded a lot like Theresa May. But I won't hold that against her.

[@michaelbradshaw7082]

But is there any time to waste?

[@sedwards7428]

bungalows take too much footage

[@tylou4479]

So nice to hear an intelligent voice in British politics again. Nailed it. Growth is key to stability. Britain will lead the way ahead again.

[@bornforbanning]

You’re so easily fooled

[@CADstruction]

Finally, someone that understands the needs of the country

[@FITZYIS]

and the money comes from where ! and for who !

[@blisworthtunnelnarrowboats]

Cameron said this about cutting red tape and sorting out planning but it never changed only for the big boys who knew how to grease palms planning just takes it out on the little man instead now, we have been waiting 7 months just to get planning for 2 mobile units selling food and drink an established business which employs people and has been successful! For the last 3 years, but just keeps dragging on, sack every single planning officer over 30

[@ferozmandai6303]

Appreciated

[@petrichor649]

At last a glimmer of hope not hatred.

[@chatham43]

@petric But you'll soon remedy that.

[@kevinbeasley946]

300.000 Houses a year, most Building companies work Monday- Friday, take away Bank holidays and Christmas close down you have approx 250 days a year to build the required target, that’s 1200 Houses a day for 250 days =300.000. Where are the Brick layers, plasterers, roofers, plumbers,electricians, painters and decorators, Gas and Electricity engineers, and other trade persons coming from, most colleges offer three year apprenticeship courses in the above job’s, and social housing every one knows these planning applications are always watered down, a company promises to build say 100 social houses but 6 months later they ask for the plans to be changed and usually end up building 40 instead, if a company promises to build a certain amount of social houses in an application then they must honour that commitment or face a fine of £5.000.000 million pounds.

[@MotivateHouse]

It's never going to happen, but socialists don't care about reality, they say what they need to say to get elected and then collect a paycheck for 4 years.

[@K_j_M]

There's capacity at present for 210k units... Increase the skills base, that can be increased easily

[@hTyKn1]

I'm sure Diane Abbott can make the numbers work

[@mickgascoigne4003]

@@hTyKn1😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@deborahneale7048]

The trouble with depending on private housebuilders is that they like to keep he supply low so the houseprice stays high at an optimum level for maximum profits.

[@chrisbutcher6840]

Well that's about to change.

[@wokelefty]

​@@chrisbutcher6840I think so too, 🤞

[@ExpendableRedshirt]

How long will it be before she starts blaming "Skivers and scroungers" on benefits? I can't see the difference between her "Fiscal rules" and austerity...

[@chatham43]

Because their isn't any.

[@Babielle]

14 years ago we were in recession because of labour. Think she forgot that