Chancellor says she backs Burnham for prime minister, declines to discuss future cabinet role

Rachel Reeves said she supports Andy Burnham to become the next prime minister and indicated she expects to leave her post as chancellor. Reeves gave an interview to the BBC in which she described her record and said the next prime minister and chancellor would inherit a stronger economy than the one she took over two years ago.

She did not explain why she was absent from Downing Street during Keir Starmer's resignation speech but attended a later event with Burnham and other Labour MPs.

Future role When asked whether she would accept a more junior cabinet post, Reeves said the incoming prime minister would make those decisions. She added that she would not pre-empt the appointments. Reeves is scheduled to speak at the British Chambers of Commerce conference in London later in the day.

Other speakers include the shadow chancellor, the Liberal Democrat leader, and spokespeople from Reform UK and the Green Party.