RACHEL Reeves and Angela Rayner are on a collision course over the government’s flagship workers rights bill.
The Chancellor is anticipated to attempt to weaken the proposals to prohibit zero-hour contracts and enforce workers’ rights from day one after being cautioned that they could harm her economic projections.
But Deputy PM Ms Rayner is leading on the Bill – which is a key part of her policy agenda.
A government insider said: “Angela and Rachel get on OK – but their teams hate each other. They just don’t trust each other.”
The flagship bill is meant to ban “exploitative zero hour contracts” and give employees rights from “day one”.
The specifics are still being discussed through consultation, with a plan to dilute them by establishing a probationary period of potentially up to a year and excluding seasonal workers from the strict measures.
Team Reeves insisted she gets on very well with Ms Rayner.
A dispute is brewing as Sir Keir Starmer has initiated swirling rumors of a Cabinet reshuffle by summoning some of his key ministers for intense questioning on their responsibilities.
The PM usually does “stock takes” one on one with a Cabinet minister every six weeks.
But he is hauling some in more regularly – including Net Zero minister Ed Miliband.
It has sparked chatter these ministers are on “special measures” and could be in the firing line when it comes to a reshuffle.
A No10 source downplayed this talk saying it was just a more regular check in on flagship government policies.
But one insider said: “There is reshuffle chatter. Keir does regular stock takes with his ministers but some have been hauled in more regularly.
“Most people expect Keir to promote some of the new MPs in his reshuffle – the class of 2024. The idea that you have to have done your time before you get a big job isn’t really for him.”
Newbie Labour MP Georgia Gould and Josh Simons are being tipped for big promotions in a reshuffle.
