How long will Rachel Reeves last? Labour gloom has put Britain on brink of recession, says MAGGIE PAGANO

Britain is on the brink of recession. Revised figures show there was zero growth in the three months from July – when Labour was elected – to September.

If the economy contracted in this last quarter, that means we are close to two consecutive quarters of negative growth and in recession territory.

The UK growth figures also suggest that living standards fell in that period, with GDP per head down rather than remaining flat as originally believed.

What’s more, living standards may be revised lower still as officials update the net migration numbers next month.

If that’s not bleak enough, recruiters warn the UK is already in a ‘hiring recession’, while the Confederation of British Industry says we are facing ‘the worst of all worlds’ with companies reducing output, cutting down on hiring and preparing for higher prices next year.

Making matters worse still, the cost of government borrowing has jumped to levels not seen for over a year as investors lose confidence in the UK. Hopes of further interest cuts have been dashed because inflation is on the move again.

A Budget for growth? Rachel Reeves delayed her statement until October but spend months talking the economy down – the move has backfired

So what do you suppose Rachel Reeves had to say about this cheerful midwinter prognosis? These figures are only ‘fuelling our fire to deliver for working people’.

What planet is Reeves on? And her persistent use of ‘working people’ is not only irritating but deeply patronising.

It takes a particularly dense Chancellor to inherit a pretty poor economy – but one showing healthy signs of growth – and to make it nosedive in just under six months.

Yet that is precisely what Reeves has managed to do since taking office.

First came her constant, and often vindictive, talking down of the economy, a move which has sapped confidence rather than boosted it. Second, came the disastrous Budget with a record £40bn tax hike, higher borrowing and spending.

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