Rachel Reeves plans 15 per cent cut in government costs by 2029
The announcement comes as Reeves prepares to present her Spring Statement on Wednesday, outlining spending cuts across various departments. (Photo: Getty Images)
Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves said Sunday that the government aims to cut the costs of running its operations by 15 per cent within four years.
The announcement comes as she prepares to present her Spring Statement on Wednesday, outlining spending cuts across various departments.
"We are, by the end of this parliament, making a commitment that we will cut the costs of running government by 15 per cent," Reeves told the BBC.
According to the broadcaster, this reduction would amount to annual savings of £2.2 billion across Britain's civil service, which employs over 500,000 people. Reeves said individual departments would decide on job cuts but indicated that civil service personnel could be reduced by 10,000.
"I would rather have people working on the front line in our schools and our hospitals, in our police, rather than in back-office jobs," she told Sky News.
Reeves also reiterated her commitment to fiscal rules ahead of Wednesday’s financial update. These include not borrowing for day-to-day spending and ensuring that debt falls as a share of GDP by 2029-30.
With no plans to raise taxes, meeting these rules is expected to require spending cuts in some government departments.
The Labour government has struggled to revive the UK economy since taking office in July last year, a challenge complicated by Donald Trump's return to the White House.
"The world has changed," Reeves told Sky. "We can all see that before our eyes, and governments are not inactive in that –- we'll respond to the change and continue to meet our fiscal rules."
Official data released Friday showed that public sector net borrowing increased last month, limiting Reeves’ options to meet her fiscal targets. The rules are intended to ensure the government maintains credibility in financial markets.
On Tuesday, the government announced cuts to disability welfare payments, aiming to save over £5 billion annually by the end of the decade.
Reeves said Sunday that overall public spending would continue to see "real-terms" increases every year throughout this parliament, which runs until 2029.
London vacancies up 9 per cent in Q3 2025, with fintech roles already surpassing all of 2024’s recruitment.
AI positions offer salaries 20 per cent higher than non-AI roles, reflecting fierce competition for skilled professionals.
Near-shoring boosts junior roles in Belfast and Glasgow, but London dominates senior, strategic appointments.
Jobs soar
Artificial intelligence and financial technology are driving job growth in London’s financial sector, with vacancies up 9 per cent year-on-year in Q3 2025, according to Morgan McKinley’s latest Employment Monitor.
Mark Astbury, director at Morgan Mckinley , noted that fintech roles have proved particularly resilient, with companies advertising 6,425 positions already exceeding the entirety of 2024’s recruitment activity. Banks, consumer finance organisations, and ambitious startups are prioritising senior and strategic appointments, particularly in AI strategy, corporate finance, and technology leadership roles.
The rebound represents a marked reversal from Q2 2025, when trade tariff uncertainties prompted hiring freezes. Employers have now resumed delayed recruitment efforts, though the forthcoming UK Autumn Budget in November may yet influence hiring trajectories.
Notably, near-shoring trends are emerging, with regions including Belfast and Glasgow capturing junior-level roles. London, however, retains its stranglehold on high-value, strategic positions. Much now depends on the Autumn Budget and whether it reassures employers or adds further cost pressures that will set the tone for hiring into early 2026.
AI and tech talent
Forbes Advisor research reveals that 79 per cent of UK workers use generative AI at work, while 85 per cent are aware of AI language models like ChatGPT. However, 59 per cent of Brits express concerns about AI, with primary worries including skill loss, job displacement, privacy issues, and autonomous decision-making without human oversight.
The surge underscores London’s position as the United Kingdom’s preeminent hub for technology-driven financial services. Greater London now hosts 1,387 AI-focused enterprises, including heavyweight firms DeepMind and BenevolentAI, making the capital an irresistible draw for major financial institutions, fintech pioneers, and specialist tech firms seeking talent.
The labour market shift reflects wider structural changes within financial services. Automation is dampening demand for graduate and administrative roles, while AI-related positions command salaries approximately 20 per cent higher than comparable non-AI posts a premium reflecting intense competition for skilled professionals.
Investment underpins this expansion. The Government has committed £2.3 billion to AI initiatives since 2014, while companies increasingly deploy generative models and computer vision technologies to streamline operations, strengthen compliance, and innovate service delivery.
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