UK'S £22BN BLACK HOLE

» Reeves unveils £5.5bn of immediate cutbacks » Swinney fears tough decisions for Scotland

- CHRIS MCCALL

RACHEL Reeves has accused the Tories of covering up the dire state of public finances as she revealed there was a £22billion gap in the UK Government's finances.

The new Chancellor tore into Rishi Sunak's former government and claimed the Conservatives had been committing cash to projects it could not afford.

In a statement to MPs yesterday, Reeves set out "immediate action" -including massive cuts of £5.5billion to address the shortfall - while the rest will be tackled at the next Budget on October 30.

John Swinney said the Chancellor had "painted an appalling picture of the financial future facing the UK".

The First Minister added: "By echoing the previous government's fiscal rules, they are trapped into delivering massive spending cuts.

"We warned this was the reality and today has seen that truth validated. Now, if they do not change course, the reality of the UK's finances will inevitably affect the funding available to us here in Scotland. Their decisions today mean tough decisions ahead for Scotland." Roadbuilding projects and railway reopenings in England previously committed to by the Tories will now be subject to review, while VAT on private school fees will be introduced from January 1.

Recommended wage rises for public sector workers south of the Border will go ahead - but Whitehall departments will be ordered to make savings.

Reeves also said the winter fuel payment will no longer be paid to all older people across the UK.