Kemi Badenoch dismisses Rachel Reeves' 'mansplain' claim - and warns against budget tax rises

Kemi Badenoch has dismissed Rachel Reeves' claim people "mansplain" how to be chancellor to her.

The Conservative leader told Sky News deputy political editor Sam Coates she is "not a man, and I think she's doing a terrible job" in reference to the chancellor ahead of the budget.

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Last week, Ms Reeves told The Times she is "sick of people mansplaining how to be chancellor to me".

Ms Badenoch said: "I don't think she can call that mansplaining.

"A lot of people out there in the country, men and women, thinks that she needs to cut tax, and if she raises it, then she should go.

"That's what she should be worried about."

Two days before the autumn budget, Ms Badenoch accused the chancellor of stymying growth - something the government has said is its number one priority.

The Conservative leader said: "We need growth measures, not job-killing measures."

She said the government should repeal "all of the terrible measures" in the Employment Rights Bill, which she said would cost businesses £5bn.

"There are businesses out there that are absolutely livid," she added.

"They heard the business secretary today talk about how he'll have 26 consultations to make sure it's okay. We should just get rid of it."

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Ms Badenoch said the expected rise in the minimum wage means businesses will not hire young workers, prompting an increase in unemployment.

She also called for the government to "scrap a lot of the silly levies" on North Sea oil drilling and to remove business rates for retail, leisure and hospitality.

Earlier, Business Secretary Peter Kyle admitted that there needs to be "more urgency" from the government to grow the economy.

However, he rejected claims growth is no longer the top priority and said the chancellor will "take the fair and necessary choices" at the budget this week.

(c) Sky News 2025: Kemi Badenoch dismisses Rachel Reeves' 'mansplain' claim - and warns against budget tax rises