Rachel Reeves hints at tax raid on the wealthy to 'rebuild Britain' in Labour conference speech as she is endorsed by Brexit critic former Bank of England governor Mark Carney (but doesn't mention inf

Rachel Reeves hinted at a tax raid on the wealthy to 'rebuild Britain' today as she was endorsed by former Bank of England governor Mark Carney. Rachel Reeves hinted at a tax raid on the wealthy to 'rebuild Britain' today as she was endorsed by former Bank of England governor Mark Carney The shadow chancellor hit out at the Tories for allowing the 'wealthiest to avoid taxes' and 'keeping loopholes open' as she delivered her Labour conference speech In an unusual step, Sir Mark - handpicked by George Osborne to run the BoE but later a strong Brexit critic - recorded a video praising Ms Reeves as a 'serious economist' Chancellor Jeremy Hunt slammed Ms Reeves for failing to mention inflation in the speech - although she did refer to the cost of living Rachel Reeves' speech at Labour conference: Key points In her Labour conference speech today, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said: Labour will support Rishi Sunak's plan for a New Zealand-style smoking ban Labour will introduce a new guarantee to ensure any government making tax and spending changes will be subject to an independent forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility Labour will end the VAT exemption on private school fees and scrap business rates relief for independent schools Labour will end crackdown on the use of private jets by Government ministers and slash Whitehall consultancy spending Labour will appoint a Covid Corruption Commissioner to help recover lost pandemic cash Labour will create a new National Wealth Fund to boost investment Labour will commission an independent expert inquiry into HS2 to 'learn the lessons for the future' Labour will reform planning laws to speed up the building housing and energy and transport infrastructure Ex-TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady has been tasked with examining how the gender pay gap can be closed once and for all Ms Reeves urged the party to focus on the task of winning power at the election, saying she wanted to be the first female chancellor in UK history. Ms Reeves said Labour would seek to 'slash government consultancy spending', saying it has 'almost quadrupled in just six years', and introduce a Covid corruption commissioner helped by a 'hit squad'. Daily Mail Comment Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney has given Labour his seal of approval, hailing Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves as 'a serious economist'.