Jump in UK borrowing shows Rachel Reeves needs to relax her strict budget rules

Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer. The prime minister has made it clear he views the winter fuel allowance cut as a mistake. Photograph: Ian Vogler/PA

There is mounting pressure on Rachel Reeves to relax her budget rules and to prepare the ground by telling voters in the next few weeks.

The latest public borrowing figures for April, which show a rise above most City forecasts, indicate that the chancellor will struggle to stay within the constraints she imposed on herself at last year’s budget.