Labour MPs urge Reeves to spend tens of billions more on ailing public services

About 70 colleagues have written to chancellor ahead of budget pleading for her to commit to rewriting fiscal rules

• How Labour promises have left Rachel Reeves with a giant budget headache

Scores of Labour MPs are pleading with Rachel Reeves to embrace spending tens of billions more on ailing public services as part of an increasingly wide-ranging budget that could raise tax on employers and the wealthy.

In a huge gamble that comes after a rocky first 100 days in office and a Downing Street reset, the chancellor is closely examining an increase in employer national insurance contributions that could significantly fill a black hole in public spending.