Chancellor to Address Public Finances Amid Criticism of Conservative Legacy

In a forthcoming address to Members of Parliament, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to express her shock at the current state of public finances, attributing the situation to the previous Conservative government's policies. Drawing a parallel to Claude Rains' character in *Casablanca*, critics suggest that Reeves may be feigning surprise for political leverage, as the tax burden reaches its highest level since World War II and national debt approaches 100% of GDP, incurring nearly £90 billion annually in interest payments. Reeves' upcoming audit is expected to shed light on various financial challenges not accounted for in existing spending plans, including issues within the justice system and immigration, as well as potential one-off costs related to scandals such as the infected blood and Post Office cases. The previous Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, had projected minimal public spending increases, which many experts, including the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), have criticized as unrealistic and indicative of severe austerity measures. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has highlighted a "conspiracy of silence" regarding the financial situation, predicting that a new chancellor would reveal the extent of the fiscal challenges once in office. While Reeves' address will not outline specific strategies to address the budget shortfall, it is anticipated to provide a timeline for the upcoming budget and spending review, along with a decision on public sector pay, which is expected to exceed inflation at 5.5%. Reeves aims to establish a positive rapport with the electorate, hoping that her approach will resonate well, reminiscent of the camaraderie between Rick and Captain Renault in the classic film.