K eir Starmer has claimed Rachel Reeves is doing “an excellent job” as chancellor after she was seen in tears during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday. Her future in the role seemed to be hanging by a thread after Starmer refused to say his ally was safe in the job when asked by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch in PMQs.

Rachel Reeves has said she had had "a tough day" and had been "clearly upset", as she gave her first interview since crying in the House of Commons on Wednesday. She did not go into details behind the incident saying she had been dealing with "a personal issue" adding: "Today's a new day and I'm just cracking on with the job.