Since BBC News reported on Thursday that Rachel Reeves had exaggerated her online CV and had been investigated over her use of expenses while working at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), Labour colleagues have mounted a robust defence of the chancellor.

Rising energy costs, taxes and a lack of support are pushing the nation's pubs to the brink, with 9,000 at risk of closure this year... and we'll all lose out in the long run.

Rachel Reeves has defended herself from claims she was the subject of an investigation into her expenses while working at a retail bank, saying she was “never questioned” on the issue. In her first comments since the BBC reported she had been subject to an investigation while working at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS),