Rachel Reeves has tried to soften the public’s perception of her amid concerns that her “Iron Chancellor” image has gone too far, an insider has claimed. Ahead of the upcoming Budget announcement - which is expected to be a gruelling one - the Chancellor has tried to reinvent herself.

Government insiders have warned that without extra funding at the Budget the NHS funding gap would see millions of patients' appointments, scans and operations cancelled

The chancellor looks set to hit businesses in an effort to plug a black hole in the health service finances caused in part thanks to rising wages.

What taxes will Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves hike in announcement? - Increases in National Insurance for employers, inheritance tax, capital gains tax and stamp duty are expected in the Budget on O