MPs watchdog probes Reeves' theatre tickets declaration

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being investigated by Parliament's standards watchdog after failing to declare on time that she received free theatre tickets.

It is understood the chancellor attended an event at the National Theatre over Christmas but did not add the donation to the MPs' register of interests within the specified timeframe.

The BBC has been told Reeves did declare the trip on her ministerial register, which is separate from the MPs' register. The parliamentary code of conduct states that MPs must register their financial interests and update any changes within 28 days.

A spokesperson for Reeves said: "The chancellor's interests are fully declared and up to date."

Reeves' register of interests show that on 27 December 2024 she received four tickets to the National Theatre with an estimated value of £276. She registered the donation on 27 March 2025.

Earlier this year, the chancellor defended accepting free tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter concert.

"I do now have security which means it's not as easy as it would have been in the past to just sit in a concert," she told the BBC.

Following a row over freebies last summer, the government has introduced new rules which do not ban ministers from accepting donations but require them to consider the "need to maintain the public's confidence".