Rachel Reeves Faces Backlash Over Unpopular Spring Statement

The Chancellor's £14bn spending cuts, including controversial welfare reforms, have drawn criticism from the public, Labour MPs, and economists as approval ratings plummet.

Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement has a net approval rating of -28, making it the least popular fiscal event since Liz Truss's 2022 mini-budget.
The £14bn in spending cuts primarily target welfare and public service funding, with welfare reforms projected to push 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into poverty.
Labour MPs and insiders have expressed growing dissent, citing concerns over unmet policy pledges, poverty impacts, and the reliance on restrictive fiscal rules.
While individual measures like increased defense spending and civil service budget cuts have majority public support, the overall package remains deeply unpopular.
Economists warn that the minimal fiscal headroom leaves Reeves vulnerable to future tax hikes or spending cuts, with additional challenges posed by potential U.S. tariffs under Donald Trump's trade policies.

The Independent