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British finance minister Rachel Reeves has announced plans to implement “guardrails” in her upcoming budget to ensure that any additional borrowing for investment remains within reasonable limits. In an interview with the Financial Times, Reeves emphasized the need for prudent and sensible long-term investments, particularly in areas such as infrastructure and the transition to a net-zero economy.

Reeves is set to deliver her first budget statement on October 30, outlining the Labour government’s strategy to boost economic growth through increased public investment. With public debt currently at around 100% of GDP, investors are closely monitoring the government’s borrowing decisions alongside potential tax increases.

Concerns over escalating debt levels have led to a rise in British gilt yields, impacting consumer confidence and casting a shadow over the new government’s early days. Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer are keen to avoid the mistakes of former Prime Minister Liz Truss, whose unfunded tax cuts caused market turbulence in 2022 and ultimately led to her resignation.

Reeves assured that the Office for Budget Responsibility and the National Audit Office will scrutinize her investment plans to ensure they drive growth and attract private investment. She intends to revise the government’s fiscal debt rule to reflect the benefits of investment, signaling a departure from the previous administration’s approach.

Additionally, Reeves stressed the need for higher taxes to avoid austerity measures and address existing spending pressures. She emphasized the importance of transparency in the budget process, aiming to provide an honest assessment of public finances and move away from past government’s reliance on what she termed as fiction.

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