rachel reeves
"Isn't it actually just blatant opportunism?"
With more tax rises and borrowing ruled out, the chancellor is running out of options.
The culture secretary also defended Rachel Reeves' decision to fly to China as the economy wobbles.
The health secretary said it is "definitely a weekend to turn the heating on".
Rachel Reeves has pledged to take "an iron fist against waste".
She was ousted as PM after her mini-Budget caused chaos on the money markets.
Fresh blow for Rachel Reeves as new data shows GDP did not grow at all during Labour's first three months in office.
It has climbed from 2.3% to 2.6%.
The chancellor admitted the figures were "disappointing".
Thousands have again descended on Whitehall to protest against the move.