Rachel Reeves tells ministers to ‘buy British’ in four key industries

Rachel Reeves has instructed cabinet colleagues to award government contracts in four critical industries directly to British companies, making clear her irritation that ministers have been sending too much government business abroad. In a letter seen by the Guardian, the chancellor tells every cabinet minister in charge of a spending department to “buy British” wherever possible, adding that she is disappointed they are not already doing so. Officials in the Treasury and Cabinet Office say they will now monitor billions of pounds’ worth of contracts in shipbuilding, steel-making, energy and artificial intelligence – and if necessary, override decisions taken by departmental ministers. Reeves’s letter was sent last week as she attempted to stamp her authority over her restive party, many members of which are expecting a change of prime minister within months. It comes amid a wider battle over who should be chancellor if Keir Starmer is replaced during this parliament, with allies of both Reeves and the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, insisting their chosen candidate should be given the keys to No 11. In the letter, which was co-signed by the Cabinet Office minister Chris Ward, the chancellor wrote: “We should all want to see more businesses grow and prosper and create good, skilled jobs and apprenticeships here in Britain. …