Is Rachel Reeves a bad Chancellor?

New figures show that not only has the economy contracted, but job hiring is at a record low.Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves strode into Downing Street on July 5th talking about just one thing - growth. But since then the government has raised employers’ national insurance contributions, slapped taxes on farmers, slashed winter fuel allowance and now worse news still - the economy officially shrunk in October and the number of job vacancies is at a record low. So, is Rachel Reeves the worst chancellor in history?Plus, we’ll hear from a veteran who lost both his legs and his right arm in Afghanistan and how the Army Benevolent Fund - another of the charities the Telegraph is supporting this Christmas - changed his life.You can read more about the work done by the Army Benevolent Fund on The Telegraph website using the link below. Other charities we are supporting include: Alzheimer’s Research UK, Teenage Cancer Trust and Humanity and Inclusion. To donate to any of them, please visit telegraph.co.uk/2024appeal or call 0151 317 5247.Read:The Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal 2024: Who we are supporting and how you can donateOut of respect for those who died, I have to keep going, by Andy ReidProducers: Lilian Fawcett & Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganPlanning Editor: Venetia RaineyExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsVideo Editor: Andy MackenzieSocial Media Producer: Niamh WalshStudio Operator: Meghan SearleEditor: Camilla TomineyOriginal music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What this episode covers

New figures show that not only has the economy contracted, but job hiring is at a record low.Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves strode into Downing Street on July 5th talking about just one thing - growth. But since then the government has raised employers’ national insurance contributions, slapped taxes on farmers, slashed winter fuel allowance and now worse news still - the economy officially shrunk in October and the number of job vacancies is at a record low. So, is Rachel Reeves the worst chancellor in history?Plus, we’ll hear from a veteran who lost both his legs and his right arm in Afghanistan and how the Army Benevolent Fund - another of the charities the Telegraph is supporting this Christmas - changed his life.You can read more about the work done by the Army Benevolent Fund on The Telegraph website using the link below. Other charities we are supporting include: Alzheimer’s Research UK, Teenage Cancer Trust and Humanity and Inclusion. To donate to any of them, please visit telegraph.co.uk/2024appeal or call 0151 317 5247.Read:The Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal 2024: Who we are supporting and how you can donateOut of respect for those who died, I have to keep going, by Andy ReidProducers: Lilian Fawcett & Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganPlanning Editor: Venetia RaineyExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsVideo Editor: Andy MackenzieSocial Media Producer: Niamh WalshStudio Operator: Meghan SearleEditor: Camilla TomineyOriginal music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.