𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A top aide of Rachel Reeves has urged some of Britain’s biggest companies and trade associations to lobby Andy Burnham to keep her as Chancellor, it has emerged.

Treasury officials called a number of major companies in the insurance, banking, defence and other sectors earlier this week to make the case for “stability” and “continuity” at the Treasury when Sir Keir Starmer leaves office.

Sources told Sky News said some of the calls took place prior to Sir Keir’s resignation statement in Downing Street on Monday.

A number of the UK’s biggest business groups are also understood to have been contacted to urge them to make the case for Ms Reeves to Mr Burnham and his team.

A source told Sky News: “The message was clear: keep Rachel as Chancellor, because stability, consistency and continuity are vital at a time like this.

On Wednesday, reports in the Financial Times and other outlets said that Mr Burnham intended to demote Ms Reeves to a more junior cabinet post if he succeeds Sir Keir as prime minister.

The Treasury declined to comment but a source close to the Chancellor said her team “always talk to business and it is no secret that stability is at the heart of her agenda”.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is among those being touted to replace Ms Reeves.

Britain biggest trade union boss warned Mr Burnham not to make Mr Miliband Chancellor in an open message to the newly-elected MP for Makerfield.

Sharon Graham, the General Secretary of Unite, has criticised the Cabinet minister, known for his environmental credentials, and claimed he has “no thought for jobs, skills and national security”.