• UK PM Keir Starmer backs Chancellor Rachel Reeves after her emotional appearance in parliament.
• Reeves faced backlash following a U-turn on welfare reforms that impacted her budget plans.
• Starmer reassured Reeves' position in light of speculation about her future.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his full support for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, following her visibly emotional appearance during the Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. Speculation about Reeves' future intensified after Starmer declined to confirm her role extending to the next general election, anticipated in 2029. Tears were noted on Reeves' face during the session, leading to speculation over her job security as welfare reforms were altered significantly, jeopardizing her fiscal plans according to Reuters, India Times, and South China Morning Post.

The government faced significant dissent after the decision to retract proposed cuts to welfare, which impacted as much as £5 billion of Reeves' planned fiscal strategy. This move prompted warnings from opposition figures, including Kemi Badenoch, that the government might need to raise taxes to compensate for financial shortfalls. Badenoch characterized Reeves as a "human shield for his incompetence," further intensifying scrutiny of her role amid political turbulence. Starmer subsequently reiterated that “the chancellor is going nowhere,” reinforcing his support for Reeves amidst these developments, as reported by Reuters, India Times, and South China Morning Post.

Amidst claims of personal distress, Reeves has been advised that she will be working from Downing Street following the incident. Starmer's press secretary confirmed that her emotional state should not be interpreted politically and emphasized both the chancellor's and prime minister's commitment to the government’s agenda. This insistence on support came during a politically charged environment where market reactions included a drop in the pound and rising borrowing costs due to investor unease, according to Reuters, India Times, and South China Morning Post.