‘Britain should be embarrassed’ that it’s never had a female chancellor, says Rachel Reeves as she eyes up role

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Unlike other countries, in 800 years the UK has never had a woman serve as chancellor, Ms Reeves said, adding: “Britain should be embarrassed that we have never had a woman in that top finance job here.” In a wide-ranging interview, she also said that today’s version of the infamous “I’m afraid there is no money” note should consist of “an apology” for making Britons poorer. Ms Reeves accused Rishi Sunak’s government of spending money like “confetti”, and said that an honest Conservative Treasury minister leaving a written message for an incoming Labour government would “apologise”. Harriet Harman on tax credits, the history of women in parliament has been about championing women.” open image in gallery Reeves has accused Rishi Sunak’s government of spending money like ‘confetti’ Ms Reeves has commissioned former TUC boss Frances O’Grady to conduct a review for Labour on the gender pay gap, more than 50 years after legislation covering equal pay came into force. “There’s never been a woman chancellor, there’s never been a woman governor of the Bank of England, there’s never been a woman permanent secretary of the Treasury, and I want to be the person who changes that.” She said that “huge progress” has been made, “but there are still glass ceilings I want to smash”, adding that she wants to see “women at the top of all walks of life”.