Rachel Reeves is odds-on favourite to be next minister to quit Starmer's Cabinet

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been named the odds-on favourite to be the next Cabinet minister to leave Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Government, following fresh economic concerns. B

ookmaker Star Sports now has Ms Reeves at 4/5 to exit her post after new figures revealed the UK economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1%-a blow just days after Labour entered office promising "stability and growth".

Political betting analyst William Kedjanyi said: "The news of the shrinking economy has done Chancellor Rachel Reeves no favours and we make her the odds-on favourite to be the next minister to leave the Cabinet. "Reeves is as short as 4/5 and, with Liz Kendall at the heart of controversy over welfare reform and Angela Rayner put squarely in the firing line from Unite over the Birmingham bin strike today, the pairing make up the top three in the betting at 4/1 and 6/1 respectively." Ms Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, is facing growing criticism from trade unions over proposed benefits changes. Deputy Prime Minister Ms Rayner is under pressure following a public clash with Unite.

At the other end of the market, Mr Starmer is a 20/1 outsider to leave-despite being ultimately responsible for Cabinet appointments.

Since Labour's landslide election win on July 4, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced mounting pressure-from inside and outside Westminster-as early setbacks threaten to undermine her economic credibility.

The first major wobble came just days into the new Government, when Ms Reeves was forced into a hasty climbdown over plans to overhaul winter fuel payments. Initial proposals to means-test the benefit were met with a fierce backlash from pensioners' groups and MPs on both sides of the House, prompting the Treasury to shelve the idea entirely.

Critics accused her of pushing through poorly thought-out policy under the guise of fiscal responsibility.

Soon after, Ms Reeves faced renewed scrutiny over inheritance tax, particularly the implications for family-run farms. While Labour has promised to "review" IHT thresholds, rural campaigners and backbench MPs have warned any change could leave farmers facing "devastating" bills and threaten the viability of multigenerational farms. Pressure has mounted for Ms Reeves to provide immediate clarity-so far, without resolution.

Most damaging of all was a visibly emotional appearance at Prime Minister's Questions last week, when Ms Reeves appeared to wipe away tears following repeated jibes from the Opposition benches about the economic contraction.

While Labour officials downplayed the moment, insisting she was "frustrated, not upset," it has sparked fresh questions about whether she can withstand the relentless scrutiny of the Treasury brief.

Taken together, the missteps have weakened Ms Reeves's standing-and bookmakers now rate her the most likely Cabinet minister to depart the Labour Government.