The Chancellor Rachel Reeves is travelling to China in a bid to boost trade and economic ties, as she faces pressure over government borrowing costs hitting their highest level in years. The three day-visit has been criticised by some Conservatives who claim she should have cancelled the trip to prioritise dealing with economic issues at home.

The value of the pound fell to its lowest level in over a year while UK borrowing costs jumped to their highest since the financial crisis

Sir John Gieve, former Deputy Governor at the Bank of England, said the Chancellor may have to hike taxes or impose some ‘very severe reductions and squeezes’ on public services

The chancellor Rachel Reeves is under pressure to cancel a controversial trip to China as the UK economy faces another tumultuous day on the markets. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp blamed Labour for the soaring cost of government borrowing and said she “should stay in the UK fixing the mess her Budget has created”.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces demands to cancel a trip to China as the UK economy descends into chaos. She is jetting off to Beijing despite fears that a crisis on the financial markets could force her to impose fresh tax hikes or impose swingeing spending cuts.