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‘Get your act together’: Speaker attacks Rachel Reeves for failing to inform MPs of major budget announcement | Politics News
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‘Get your act together’: Speaker attacks Rachel Reeves for failing to inform MPs of major budget announcement | Politics News

The Speaker of the House of Commons has criticized Rachel Reeves for failing to notify MPs of an important announcement ahead of the budget.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said it was “completely unacceptable” for the Chancellor to confirm the government’s intention to change its financial rules to the media rather than parliament first, as set out in the ministerial code.

Last week Ms Reeves said she would rewrite fiscal rules to allow her to increase borrowing for public investment by around £50bn.

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A fiscal rule is a limitation or restriction that governments impose to limit how much they can borrow to finance public spending.

Speaking to Sky News in Washington DC, the chancellor said: self-imposed rule It will be redefined from the current measure of public sector net debt – to which borrowing should fall by the fifth year of economic forecasts.

Woman reeves It has not yet been determined what measure will replace the current rule, but there is speculation that it will favor the use of public sector debt excluding financial liabilities (PSNFL).

Under this definition, investments such as the government’s student loan book are defined as assets rather than liabilities, and on current measures this would allow for a further £53bn of borrowing.

Ministerial rules set out the standards of behavior expected of ministers and how they carry out their duties.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Image: AP
Picture:
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Image: AP

It is stated that when the parliament convenes, the most important statements should be made in the parliament.

Before Labor formed a government, the Speaker also scolded Conservative ministers for leaking budget details to the media ahead of the main event. He suggested that they should resign on this issue.

Addressing MPs in the House of Commons on Monday, Sir Lindsay said ministers “should expect to face appropriate and sustained scrutiny when these announcements are made”.

“I’m very, very disappointed,” he said.

“The elected members of this House are not American news channels.”

Looking at Wednesday’s budget, Sir Lindsay said: “Honourable members may be wondering how they will get a seat on Wednesday – to be honest, the way things are going you won’t need it, I’ve heard we’ll all have it.”

“This is unacceptable, I do not want it to continue and I want to treat this House with the respect it deserves.”

He added: “It is completely unacceptable to tell everyone else around the world instead of these members. “They were elected by the voters of this country and they deserve better treatment.

“Isn’t it funny that the other party complained to me when I was the previous party? All parties come together, treat members with respect.”

Earlier on Monday, the Prime Minister It has been confirmed that there will be tax increases in the budget to prevent what he calls “a devastating return to austerity” and to rebuild public services.

In a speech in Birmingham, Sir Keir Starmer also announced that the £2 bus fare cap will rise to £3, with £240 million going to efforts to get people back to work.

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This comes after weeks of speculation about how the government plans to grow the economy. Closing the £40bn black hole in the nation’s finances It will release its first financial statement on Wednesday.

Asked to respond in parliament to the Speaker’s warning, the prime minister’s official spokesman told reporters it was “a matter for parliament”.

“Britain is on a new path and a growth path,” they added.

“We know bus fares are an important issue, which is why the Prime Minister announced the three-pound cap.”