In Labour’s first budget for almost 15 years, Rachel Reeves has unveiled tax rises and promises of investment in public services

It is an age-old truth that the purpose of a Labour government is to clear up the Conservatives’ mess. For the party’s first budget in nearly 15 years, the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, had two dilemmas: how is Labour going to rebuild Britain – and who is going to pay for it?

Frances Ryan is a Guardian columnist