Rachel Reeves is set to attend the World Economic Forum tomorrow – but has not been asked to speak at the event for key figures in the world of finance.
The Chancellor hopes to “showcase the UK’s investment offer, including its talented people and stable economy” at the annual event as Labour works desperately to generate investment and reverse the fortunes of the UK economy.
But Ms Reeves has been overlooked for a speaking role at the event despite EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the PM of Malaysia and the Iranian vice-president for strategic affairs all being handed prestigious keynote speeches.
Allies of the embattled Chancellor have dismissed claims that she has been snubbed, claiming instead that she hopes to focus on private chats with business leaders and getting her message across.
The Chancellor is expected to take part in several smaller events including a speaking engagement at the Country Strategic Dialogue with 80-100 global CEOs and business leaders tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21.
Reeves will also attend a CBI lunch panel, a Wall Street Journal event and a Bloomsburg fireside chat.
It is believed that Reeves will also meet privately with several high-profile CEOs including Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan according to Downing Street sources.
The appearance comes following a week that has seen the Chancellor battling for her political life as she faced fierce criticism for taking a trip to China as the cost of government debt soared and the value of the pound plummeted.
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride blasted Reeves as the cost of government debt rose to levels not seen since the height of the financial crisis.
He said the situation was a “Shakespearean tragedy” as Reeves vowed that she was not at fault for a lack of market faith, laying the blame at the door of the Conservative party who she claims left a “£22 billion black hole in the nation’s finances.”
Reeves’s budget has been criticised as being “anti-business” after it raised the national living wage, increased national insurance contributions for employers whilst lowering the threshold at which payments are made.
