Wes Streeting, Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer launch NHS plan (Image: Getty)

       Keir Starmer was forced to guarantee Rachel Reeves will keep her job for “many years to come”, in a bid to end financial and political turmoil following her tears in Parliament. But Labour insiders said the Prime Minister’s authority was in tatters with former Cabinet Minister Ed Balls warning: “It’s been the worst week for Labour governments for a long time”.

       The Chancellor made a surprise appearance alongside the Prime Minister at the launch of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan, with the pair hugging in a public show of unity. It came after Sir Keir triggered a slump in the value of the pound and long-term government bonds, pushing up the price of government borrowing, by failing to back Ms Reeves on Wednesday as she wept beside him.

       Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

       Backyard Apartments Are The Hottest New Home Trend (Perfect For Seniors)Backyard Apartments | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Keir Starmer's welfare cuts narrowly pass as 49 furious MPs stage rebellion

       482 Comments

       'Humiliated' Keir Starmer torn apart on GB News with crushing 'U-turn' verdict

       56 Comments

       Rachel Reeves starts crying at PMQs as Keir Starmer refuses to say if she can keep her job

       897 Comments

       Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'

       63 Comments

       Tory questions 'legality' of DWP PIP changes ahead of key decision

       33 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's sister shows her true colours moments after tears in PMQs

       142 Comments

       Pound plunges and gilts soar as Rachel Reeves chaos 'echoes of Liz Truss'

       35 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's tears are rational - Labour rebels have forced her to raise taxes

       22 Comments

       Shocking moment Rachel Reeves seen crying at brutal Prime Minister's Questions

       80 Comments

       Keir Starmer stumbles out of Number 10 as PM's humiliating 24 hours gets even worse

       15 Comments

       Ed Miliband in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor - runners and riders

       214 Comments

       The 1 clear sign Rachel Reeves was crumbling decoded by body language expert

       52 Comments

       Piers Morgan has brutal response to Rachel Reeves 'crying' with nine-word question

       22 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's plans blown apart by ￡4.8bn hole as Labour minister stokes tax fears

       29 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown

       11 Comments

       Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall hides during PMQs after benefit U-turn humiliation

       11 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Keir Starmer blasted for ‘worst start by new PM ever' by polling guru John Curtice

       34 Comments

       POLL: Do you feel sorry for Rachel Reeves?

       543 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Starmer sidekick torn to shreds in car crash interview after Labour climbdown

       6 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' candid 7-word remark on 'tough day in the office' after tearful PMQs

       4 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Keir Starmer's welfare cuts narrowly pass as 49 furious MPs stage rebellion

       482 Comments

       'Humiliated' Keir Starmer torn apart on GB News with crushing 'U-turn' verdict

       56 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves starts crying at PMQs as Keir Starmer refuses to say if she can keep her job

       897 Comments

       Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'

       63 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Tory questions 'legality' of DWP PIP changes ahead of key decision

       33 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's sister shows her true colours moments after tears in PMQs

       142 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Pound plunges and gilts soar as Rachel Reeves chaos 'echoes of Liz Truss'

       35 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's tears are rational - Labour rebels have forced her to raise taxes

       22 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Shocking moment Rachel Reeves seen crying at brutal Prime Minister's Questions

       80 Comments

       Keir Starmer stumbles out of Number 10 as PM's humiliating 24 hours gets even worse

       15 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Ed Miliband in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor - runners and riders

       214 Comments

       The 1 clear sign Rachel Reeves was crumbling decoded by body language expert

       52 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Piers Morgan has brutal response to Rachel Reeves 'crying' with nine-word question

       22 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's plans blown apart by ￡4.8bn hole as Labour minister stokes tax fears

       29 Comments

       Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown

       11 Comments

       Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall hides during PMQs after benefit U-turn humiliation

       11 Comments

       Keir Starmer blasted for ‘worst start by new PM ever' by polling guru John Curtice

       34 Comments

       POLL: Do you feel sorry for Rachel Reeves?

       543 Comments

       Starmer sidekick torn to shreds in car crash interview after Labour climbdown

       6 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' candid 7-word remark on 'tough day in the office' after tearful PMQs

       4 Comments

       Keir Starmer's welfare cuts narrowly pass as 49 furious MPs stage rebellion

       482 Comments

       'Humiliated' Keir Starmer torn apart on GB News with crushing 'U-turn' verdict

       56 Comments

       Rachel Reeves starts crying at PMQs as Keir Starmer refuses to say if she can keep her job

       897 Comments

       Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'

       63 Comments

       Tory questions 'legality' of DWP PIP changes ahead of key decision

       33 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's sister shows her true colours moments after tears in PMQs

       142 Comments

       Pound plunges and gilts soar as Rachel Reeves chaos 'echoes of Liz Truss'

       35 Comments

       READ MORE: 'I was in the room for Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer's show of unity'

       A big public hug for Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)

       He struck a different tone in a London health centre, watched by Ms Reeves and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, giving his Chancellor the credit for NHS reforms - and promising not to sack her. The Prime Minister said: “It’s just fantastic she’s here and none of this would be happening if she hadn’t taken the decisions that she’s taken.

       “So she took those decisions, and she would take them for many years to come.”

       Powered By

       00:00/02:26

       10 Sec

       19.2K

       2

       GB News: Dr Mike Jones discusses pressure on Labour

       Next

       Stay

       Sir Keir, who celebrates 12 months as Prime Minister on Saturday, insisted he had not meant to undermine Ms Reeves by failing to back her in the face of hostile questioning from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch earlier in the week The Prime Minister said he simply hadn’t noticed the Chancellor’s distress during exchanges in the House of Commons,

       Sponsored

       New Hyundai 2025 | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       2025 Hyundai Palisade: Bold Redesign Unveiled!

       Undo

       Bond markets rallied as it appeared Ms Reeves would now be safe when a Cabinet reshuffle takes place, despite a series of blunders including cuts to winter fuel allowances, which Labour has partially reversed, and an attempt to reduce the number of people claiming Personal Independence Payments, now postponed indefinitely pending a review.

       The Chancellor smiled as she delivered her own speech about NHS reforms, insisted she was “totally” up for the job of Chancellor.

       Dismissing reports of a rift with the Prime Minister, she said: “I think that people can see that Keir and me are a team.”

       Repeating claims that her emotional appearance earlier this week had been down to “a personal issue”, Ms Reeves said: “I happen to be on camera when I have a tough day.”

       Mr Balls, a former education secretary who served as Shadow Chancellor, said the benefits u-turn was “a huge blow to the Exchequer, but then also for the Prime Minister.”

       Warning that Sir Keir had lost the authority to push through difficult policies, Mr Balls told the Political Currency podcast: “The next time the Prime Minister says, ‘We must take big, long term decisions for the future’, the backbenches will say, ‘Well, that’s what you said to us last time’.”

       Conservatives said the Prime Minister “completely bungled it” by failing to back his colleague. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride, who sent his Labour rival a text message of support, said: “There’s so much brutality in politics, and you see it from other politicians. You see it from the press, the media, social media, and so on. But never to forget that people are ultimately human beings.”

       He also warned the Government was incapable of cutting the UK’s soaring benefits bill, with expenditure on working-age incapacity and disability benefits due to reach ￡70 billion by the next election, thanks to an “unholy alliance” of rebellious Labour backbenchers and Reform, Lib Dem and Green MPs opposing cuts.

       Don't miss...

       Callous Keir Starmer failed to support his crying Chancellor

       Desperate businesses plead with Keir Starmer to promise no more tax increases

       Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall hides in PMQs after benefit u-turn

       Blow for Keir Starmer as young voters abandon Labour for 2 parties

       Trending

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       Ed Balls, former Labour Education Secretary (Image: Getty)

       Experts said the decision to abandon cuts to disability benefits had made tax increases more likely when Ms Reeves delivers her autumn Budget. Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies, said: “She really is caught a bit between a rock and a hard place on this.”

       Questions about the Chancellor’s future overshadowed the launch of the NHS plan, a key plank of what Labour calls its “plan for change”, which includes measures to end the 8am scramble to see a GP. An improved and expanded NHS app will allow patients to book appointments without early-morning phone calls and will also provide health advice directly, reducing the need to see a doctor.

       New neighbourhood health centres will be created, open 12 hours a day and six days per week, so that more treatment is provided outside of hospitals.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Keir Starmer's welfare cuts narrowly pass as 49 furious MPs stage rebellion

       482 Comments

       'Humiliated' Keir Starmer torn apart on GB News with crushing 'U-turn' verdict

       56 Comments

       Rachel Reeves starts crying at PMQs as Keir Starmer refuses to say if she can keep her job

       897 Comments

       Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'

       63 Comments

       Tory questions 'legality' of DWP PIP changes ahead of key decision

       33 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's sister shows her true colours moments after tears in PMQs

       142 Comments

       Pound plunges and gilts soar as Rachel Reeves chaos 'echoes of Liz Truss'

       35 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's tears are rational - Labour rebels have forced her to raise taxes

       22 Comments

       Shocking moment Rachel Reeves seen crying at brutal Prime Minister's Questions

       80 Comments

       Keir Starmer stumbles out of Number 10 as PM's humiliating 24 hours gets even worse

       15 Comments

       Ed Miliband in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor - runners and riders

       214 Comments

       The 1 clear sign Rachel Reeves was crumbling decoded by body language expert

       52 Comments

       Piers Morgan has brutal response to Rachel Reeves 'crying' with nine-word question

       22 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's plans blown apart by ￡4.8bn hole as Labour minister stokes tax fears

       29 Comments

       The most accurate CGM for confident decisions in the moment.Dexcom | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown

       11 Comments

       Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall hides during PMQs after benefit U-turn humiliation

       11 Comments

       High speed WiFi for seniors - jaw dropping low rates High-Speed Wi-Fi Internet Deal | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Keir Starmer blasted for ‘worst start by new PM ever' by polling guru John Curtice

       34 Comments

       POLL: Do you feel sorry for Rachel Reeves?

       543 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Starmer sidekick torn to shreds in car crash interview after Labour climbdown

       6 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' candid 7-word remark on 'tough day in the office' after tearful PMQs

       4 Comments

       Woman puts banana peel on her arm. You won't believe what happened next!Good to know this | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Keir Starmer's welfare cuts narrowly pass as 49 furious MPs stage rebellion

       482 Comments

       'Humiliated' Keir Starmer torn apart on GB News with crushing 'U-turn' verdict

       56 Comments

       Chelsea Clinton's Husband Is Probably The Most Handsome Man In The WorldPersonalHealthMag.com | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves starts crying at PMQs as Keir Starmer refuses to say if she can keep her job

       897 Comments

       Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'

       63 Comments

       What's Your Home Worth?Home Value Lookup | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Tory questions 'legality' of DWP PIP changes ahead of key decision

       33 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's sister shows her true colours moments after tears in PMQs

       142 Comments

       2025 Insights on Affordable E-Bikes for Seniors: Discover State Rebates and...FindingFrenzy | Sponsored Sponsored

       Search Now

       Undo

       Pound plunges and gilts soar as Rachel Reeves chaos 'echoes of Liz Truss'

       35 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's tears are rational - Labour rebels have forced her to raise taxes

       22 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Shocking moment Rachel Reeves seen crying at brutal Prime Minister's Questions

       80 Comments

       Keir Starmer stumbles out of Number 10 as PM's humiliating 24 hours gets even worse

       15 Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Ed Miliband in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor - runners and riders

       214 Comments

       The 1 clear sign Rachel Reeves was crumbling decoded by body language expert

       52 Comments

       Why Seniors Are Considering the New Hyundai PalisadeHyundai Car For Seniors | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Piers Morgan has brutal response to Rachel Reeves 'crying' with nine-word question

       22 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's plans blown apart by ￡4.8bn hole as Labour minister stokes tax fears

       29 Comments

       Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown

       11 Comments

       Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall hides during PMQs after benefit U-turn humiliation

       11 Comments

       Keir Starmer blasted for ‘worst start by new PM ever' by polling guru John Curtice

       34 Comments

       POLL: Do you feel sorry for Rachel Reeves?

       543 Comments

       Starmer sidekick torn to shreds in car crash interview after Labour climbdown

       6 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' candid 7-word remark on 'tough day in the office' after tearful PMQs

       4 Comments

       Keir Starmer's welfare cuts narrowly pass as 49 furious MPs stage rebellion

       482 Comments

       'Humiliated' Keir Starmer torn apart on GB News with crushing 'U-turn' verdict

       56 Comments

       Rachel Reeves starts crying at PMQs as Keir Starmer refuses to say if she can keep her job

       897 Comments

       Labour insiders 'fear Rachel Reeves' PMQs tears have made her 'unsackable'

       63 Comments

       Tory questions 'legality' of DWP PIP changes ahead of key decision

       33 Comments

       Rachel Reeves's sister shows her true colours moments after tears in PMQs

       142 Comments

       Pound plunges and gilts soar as Rachel Reeves chaos 'echoes of Liz Truss'

       35 Comments

       Take a Look at the Average Price to Cut Down ...Tree Removal

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       What Makes New Senior Living Spaces So...Senior Living | Search Ads

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       New Hyundai Palisade For Seniors - See The...New Hyundai Senior Palisade

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Just Listed in Las Vegas: Rare 2-Bedroom Senio...Senior Apartments

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       In addition, the NHS will provide “weight loss medication” to cut obesity, while junk food advertising targeted at children will be restricted, sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16-year-olds will be banned and large food firms will be obliged to produce reports revealing how healthy their products are.

       The measures were backed by some health professionals. Dr Jeanette Dickson, Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said: “The ambition, scale and innovative approaches set out in the 10 Year Health Plan can only be applauded. It promises a lot and properly implemented, offers an opportunity to revolutionise healthcare.”

       Free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs welcomed the promise to improve the NHS app but said the Government was planning to regulate more aspects of everyday life. Editorial Director Kristian Niemietz said: “The worst part of the document is the section on prevention, a word which always sounds good, but which, in practice, mostly means government officials meddling with what we eat and drink, when they should really just leave us alone and mind their own business.”