Rachel Reeves’s visit to China is well-timed, at least from her perspective. With bond yields soaring, fiscal headroom evaporating, and the country running perilously low on gas reserves in the middle of a cold snap,

Today, Paddy and Laura discuss Rachel Reeves’ trip to Beijing to meet with her Chinese counterpart. But some of the opposition are saying she shouldn’t have gone at a time when soaring government borrowing costs threaten to squeeze UK public finances.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has defended her visit to China despite looming criticism, claiming the strengthened economic relationship could “unlock tangible benefits” for British businesses.