£40BN TAPS

BUDGET 2024: CASH TO FLOW TO SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS & HOUSING

- LIZZY BUCHAN, GRAHAM HISCOTT

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves believes turning on the spending tap is just what Britain's parched public services need.

She announced a £70billion increase in public spending in yesterday's Budget, with cash for the NHS, schools, transport and housing - all of which suffered under the Tories for 14 years.

The plans will be funded through increased borrowing and £40bn in tax rises, taking the tax burden to a postwar high of 38% of GDP by 2027/28.

Labour's aim is for this to fall on the wealthiest, with the end of tax breaks for non-doms and private schools.

In the first-ever Budget to be delivered by a woman, Ms Reeves said she had chosen to "invest, invest, invest" to drive growth, as well as pumping billions of pounds into public services.

She said: "This is a moment of fundamental choice for Britain. I have made my choices; the responsible choices to restore stability to our country; to protect working people.

"More teachers in our schools, more appointments in our NHS, more homes being built, fixing the foundations of our economy, investing in our future, delivering change, rebuilding Britain." Ms Reeves accused the Conservatives of fudging their figures ahead of the March Budget, leaving her with a £22bn black hole in the public finances. She told MPs: "It was the height of irresponsibility.