Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces financial challenges as she prepares for budget speech

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is returning to the UK amid financial challenges, including potential downgrades to growth forecasts and concerns over high borrowing. Businesses warn her upcoming budget may negatively impact investment and jobs. Mortgage rates are expected to remain high, affecting many families. Unions are demanding further pay increases, adding pressure on Reeves, who faces a significant budget deficit. To address these issues, Reeves may need to implement spending cuts and improve public sector productivity. Her upcoming speech on the economy is anticipated to outline new strategies for growth and reducing waste.