Rachel Reeves was grilled during a Channel 4 interview, where she spoke with Krishnan Guru-Murthy. The Chancellor was left stumbling when she was asked about Labour’s plan to guarantee paid work for unemployed young people. She was also asked about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s proposed plan to scrap indefinite leave to remain, the upcoming November budget, and the likelihood of tax rises in the UK. Rachel was also asked if she would support Andy Burnham to be the next Labour leader. During the conversation, she said about young people: “They will be offered skills, training, one-to-one support to find work. If they’re not able to find work at the end of those 18 months, there will be a guarantee of a job offer.”
Krishnan said: “And if they don’t take it, they’ll lose the benefit?” to which Rachel shot back: “Yes, and there’s always been that system in the UK that there is something in return.”
Krishnan then remarked: “This idea is also being applied to indefinite leave to remain, by the sound of it. Shabana Mahmood is coming up with the idea that you’ve got to be a volunteer, you’ve got to have a job if you want to get a settled status.
“Isn’t it a bit insulting to say to an Indian doctor, say, who is working 60, 70 hours a week, that in order to get a settled status here, he’s also got to volunteer?”
Rachel then awkwardly replied: “We want people to contribute if they come to our country.” She added: “At the moment, you have to be here for five years, and what we’re saying is that should be ten years.”
Krishnan interjected: “And do volunteer work?” to which Rachel replied: “There’s lots of different ways to contribute, and if you’re working in the NHS, you’re clearly contributing to our country and our society.”
People who have reacted online to the interview have slammed the Chancellor, with one person saying on X: “Krishnan Guru Murthy is spot on with his remark. How many working people have time to volunteer after a full weeks work, looking after the kids, household chores and then put time aside to ‘volunteer’ and to do what type of ‘volunteering’?!”
Another person also said: “@UKLabour have lost the plot. I’ve just joined @TheGreenParty – first time I’ve paid membership to any party in years! Get a grip @labourpress.”