Rachel Reeves faces budget conundrum in spending review

• Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing pressure over spending plans as some departments, including Angela Rayner's, have not settled their budgets with the Treasury.
• Economists warn that increased defence spending commitments will make it "impossible" for the chancellor to invest in economic growth, public services, and net-zero policies.
• The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) predicts that the upcoming spending review will be dominated by funding for defence and the NHS, with other priorities receiving limited funding.
• The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for a "significant and sustained" boost to council funding to avoid devastating consequences for vital services.
• The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to invest in social care and negotiate a UK-EU customs union to boost the economy before making cuts to stretched budgets.

IN FULL

Rachel Reeves told it is ‘impossible’ to invest in growth, public services and net zero in spending review