14 January 2025, 14:21 | Updated: 14 January 2025, 15:48

By Danielle de Wolfe

Rachel Reeves told the Commons on Tuesday that the UK must go "further and faster" in terms of economic growth, amid mounting criticism over her recent trip to China.

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride accused the Chancellor of ducking difficult question and refusing to "face up to her own failures" during the Commons clash.

He told the Commons: "While the Government was losing control of the economy, where was the Chancellor? Her trip to China had not even begun when my urgent question was taken in the House last week, she was still in the country, but she sent the Chief Secretary rather than face up to her own failures.

Noting Reeves "ducked the difficult questions" by jetting off to Beijing, the Chancellor responded: "Why did I go to China? Well, I went to secure tangible benefits for British businesses trading overseas."

Doubt was cast over the Chancellor’s future on Tuesday, with Sir Keir Starmer appearing to hedge his support for her.

Pointedly refusing to guarantee she would remain in her post until the next general election, the PM's comments come hours before Downing Street sought to quell speculation surrounding her future.

Starmer backs Reeves until 2029: LBC analysis

Number 10 reiterated that Ms Reeves would remain Chancellor for “the whole of this Parliament.”

During the Commons debate, Ms Reeves defended her trip to China, accusing the Conservatives of presiding over 14 years of "stagnant economic growth, higher debt and economic uncertainty".

She added: "And we have........

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