UK Chancellor Reeves Retains PM Backing Amid Welfare U-Turn, Tears

Chancellor Rachel Reeves was seen crying in the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions following a welfare reform U-turn that created a nearly £5 billion shortfall in her budget plans. The welfare changes, including restrictions on personal independence payment eligibility, were scrapped to avoid a Labour revolt, undermining Reeves' goal of funding spending through tax receipts rather than borrowing. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Reeves as a "human shield" for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's indecision and incompetence, while Starmer declined to confirm whether Reeves would remain in her position until the next election. Despite the public show of vulnerability and speculation about her future, Downing Street affirmed that Reeves has the Prime Minister's full backing and is "going nowhere," attributing her tears to a personal matter. Labour has pledged not to raise income tax, national insurance, or VAT on working people, which may limit options for addressing the budget gap. The episode has intensified scrutiny of Reeves' fiscal policies and Starmer's leadership during this politically turbulent period.