Keir Starmer's top No10 aide has denied that today's Budget will be about staving off a leadership challenge.

Darren Jones, the Prime Minister's chief secretary, said there are "another three Budgets" before the next general election as he pushed back against leadership speculation. He said Chancellor Rachel Reeves is "on fighting form" and he hosed down claims that today is a make-or-break day for the top Labour duo.

Asked by Sky News' Sophy Jones whether the Budget was drawn up to ensure Mr Starmer is still in place in 2029, Mr Jones said the Chancellor's decisions will "meet the needs of the country".

He said: "No, I mean, we've got another three years, another three budgets probably to go until the 2029 election. This is a budget that's dealing with the public's concerns a

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