Rachel Reeves pledges to ‘renew Britain’ as SNP urges her to ‘abandon’ cuts

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will pledge to “renew Britain” as she sets out her spending review in the Commons later today.

She is expected to announce significant investment in health, infrastructure and security, but several departments are likely to be hit by real-terms cuts to pay for it.

The SNP has urged the Labour government to “abandon” cuts which could push more people into poverty.

The party has also said Scotland must “get its share” of capital investment, in particular backing for the Acorn carbon capture project in the north east.

The spending review is a major moment for the UK Government as Reeves sets out departmental budgets for the next few years.

She will deliver her statement after Prime Minister’s Questions, at approximately 12:30pm.

It will cover both day-to-day spending and capital expenditure.

She is expected to say: “This government is renewing Britain. But I know too many people in too many parts of the country are yet to feel it.

“This government’s task – my task – and the purpose of this spending review is to change that, to ensure that renewal is felt in people’s everyday lives, their jobs, their communities… The priorities in this spending review are the priorities of working people – to invest in our country’s security, health and economy so working people all over our country are better off.”

The UK Government has already announced a partial U-turn on winter fuel payments for some pensioners in England and Wales, £14.2bn for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant, and £15.bn for local transport projects in England.

Funding for Scotland’s Acorn project is expected to be confirmed, while extra cash spend in areas which are devolved may result in a higher block grant for the Scottish Government.

Ahead of the review, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: “This is a test of values… The chancellor must abandon Labour Party austerity cuts and deliver urgent support to tackle poverty and help families with the cost of living – and Scotland must not be treated as an afterthought when it comes to investment.
"It is essential that Scotland finally gets its fair share of capital investment to boost economic growth and create jobs. That means immediately funding vital Scottish energy projects, including Scottish carbon capture.”

Earlier this week the Scottish Government urged the UK Government to “prioritise growth”.

Finance secretary Shona Robison also said Reeves should “empower the devolved administrations with more flexible fiscal rules that can enable investment in public services”.