UK politics live: Rachel Reeves confirms return of housebuilding targets in first speech as chancellor

Image source, Reuters

We’re turning our attention to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ upcoming speech on Labour’s plan for the economy now, which we’re expecting at about 10:30 BST.

In politics, as in life, you only get one chance to make a first impression.

So what the government is doing over the coming days may shape how you think about them for weeks, months, even years to come.

That’s one reason why Rachel Reeves is so keen to project energy, beginning with a suite of planning reforms today.

But the new chancellor knows something else: a government never has more authority than when it’s just been elected. Some of this stuff is controversial.

It may eventually prove so especially in rural areas, some of which are suddenly represented by a Labour MP for the first time.

Better to get the tough stuff out of the way before MPs’ discover the difficulty of local ‘nimby’ campaigning.

And there’s another thing. We spoke a lot during the campaign about economic experts saying both main parties’ plans did not confront the reality of tough tax and spend decisions to come.

Labour’s answer to that was they intend to grow the economy faster than experts expect.

And their answer to how to do that is planning reform.

No wonder they’re starting the ball rolling immediately.