Tories urge financial regulator to investigate Reeves and Treasury over Budget build-up

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride has urged the UK's financial regulator to investigate potential market abuse by officials in the Treasury and Downing Street ahead of the Budget announcement. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is under scrutiny for allegedly misleading the public about the country's finances, despite being informed of a better financial state than previously thought. The Conservatives are calling for Reeves's resignation, with accusations of leaked information leading to market speculation and volatility. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will respond to Stride's request for a probe into potential market manipulation, with the aftermath of the Budget showing a slight drop in government borrowing costs following the announcement of tax rises and spending policies.