Rachel Reeves risks reigniting Labour's 'freebies' row by accepting tickets to watch Sabrina Carpenter in a corporate box... as Chancellor prepares deep cuts to benefits
Rachel Reeves has risked reigniting Labour's 'freebies' row after it was revealed she accepted free tickets to watch US pop star Sabrina Carpenter in a corporate box.
The Chancellor's decision to accept free tickets to last weekend's gig at London's O2 Arena sparked a backlash from Labour MPs unhappy at looming welfare cuts.
The Government is next week expected to unveil plans for around £5billion of benefit cuts - despite a mounting revolt by backbenchers and disquiet among ministers.
Ms Reeves' freebie also comes after a fierce row last year over senior Labour figures - including Sir Keir Starmer - accepting lavish hospitality and gifts.
The Prime Minister was dubbed 'free gear Keir' amid scrutiny of him accepting suits and spectacles worth thousands of pounds from Labour peer Lord Waheed Alli.
Sir Keir was also among a slew of top politicians to receive free tickets and hospitality to Taylor Swift's gigs in London last summer.
He later paid back more than £6,000 worth of gifts and vowed - together with Deputy PM Angela Rayner and Ms Reeves - to not accept any further donations for clothing.
According to The i Paper, the box used by Ms Reeves for last weekend's gig was owned by AEG, who also own the long-term lease for the O2 Arena.
Rachel Reeves has risked reigniting Labour 's 'freebies' row after it was revealed she accepted free tickets to watch US pop star Sabrina Carpenter in a corporate box
The Chancellor's decision to accept free tickets to last weekend's gig at London 's O2 Arena sparked a backlash from Labour MPs unhappy at looming welfare cuts
The box used by Ms Reeves for last weekend's gig was owned by AEG, who also own the long-term lease for the O2 Arena (pictured)
It reported that AEG is a former client of lobbying firm FTI Consulting, whose other clients have included top banks, a tobacco firm, and an oil and gas operator.
A lobbying industry source told the newspaper the box is sometimes used by FTI Consulting, although it is unknown if staff from the firm were present last weekend.
Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who is leading a rebellion against cuts to welfare, said: 'I thought that this issue had been settled, and ministers would not be accepting free hospitality for personal benefit.
'So to hear of a repeat, should it have occurred, is deeply troubling, not least at a time when many disabled people are worried sick about having their lifeline of support reduced under the 'Get Britain Working' reforms.'
It is claimed that Ms Reeves received security advice that she could not attend the gig in the general admission areas of the venue.
Sir Keir has continued to accept box tickets to Arsenal football games after being told he can't sit in the stands with regular fans due to security concerns.
The PM has been a long-time holder of season tickets at the north London club.
AEG said: 'As is standard practice across the events industry, AEG often offers tickets to partners and clients.
'This includes local authorities and community groups for them to use within their organisations, the acceptance of which is at their discretion.
'AEG has not worked with FTI for over a year and there is no arrangement in place – nor has there ever been – for usage of our hospitality or event tickets in exchange for services.
'Separately, there was no fee or commercial relationship with AEG/ FTI Consulting with regard to the Chancellor's recent attendance at The O2.'
A Treasury spokesman said: 'All declarations will be made in the usual way.'
PM Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria attended a Taylor Swift gig at Wembley Stadium last June
Ms Reeves today doubled down on the need to reform Britain's welfare system, saying it was 'broken' and 'not working for anyone'.
'It is not working for people who need support, it's not working to get people into work so that more people can fulfil their potential,' she told broadcasters.
'And it's not working for the taxpayer when the bill for welfare is going up by billions of pounds in the next few years. So, we do need to get a grip.
'We need to spend more on national defence, but we need to reform our public services, and we need to reform our broken welfare system.'
