UK Finance Minister Faces Heat Over Budget Numbers

The UK's finance chief, Rachel Reeves, is in hot water. Just days after unveiling the national budget, a big fuss has started. The issue? The so-called "black hole" in public finances, used to justify tax hikes, seems to be a lot smaller than claimed. Official numbers from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) show a much smaller gap than what the government talked about. This has sparked a major debate. Some say Reeves knew about these numbers but still pushed for higher taxes. This could be a big problem for her and the government. Newspapers are full of this story. The Daily Telegraph says Reeves is in trouble over "tax lies. " They claim the tax increases were based on a non-existent financial crisis. Meanwhile, The Mirror reports Reeves denies misleading anyone. She says she was clear about her decisions in the budget. The Times has a strong take. They say the budget was full of "smoke and mirrors. " They accuse Reeves of tricking the public to justify tax hikes. The Daily Mail is even harsher, calling Reeves a "liar" and saying she is ruining the economy. This scandal is big news. It's not just about numbers. It's about trust. If the public thinks the government is lying, it's a serious issue. The OBR is a respected body. If they say the numbers are different, people will listen. Reeves is now in a tough spot. She has to defend her actions. But with so many people questioning her, it's not easy. The opposition is also jumping in. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says Reeves lied to justify tax hikes. She says the budget was more about politics than stability. This is a critical moment. The government needs to regain trust. But with the media and opposition piling on, it's an uphill battle. The coming days will be crucial. Will Reeves survive this scandal? Or will it bring down the government?