Rachel Reeves has said austerity under the coalition government was a "destructive choice" for society, as she said spending would rise for departments by 2.3% in real terms.Beginning the spending review statement in the Commons, the Chancellor said: "In this spending review, total departmental budgets will grow by 2.3%-a-year in real terms. Compare that to the Conservative choice for austerity. In contrast to our increase of 2.3%, they cut spending by 2.9% per year in 2010.Credit: UK Parliament

Rachel Reeves has said austerity under the coalition government was a "destructive choice" for society, as she said spending would rise for departments by 2.3% in real terms.Beginning the spending review statement in the Commons, the Chancellor said: "In this spending review, total departmental budgets will grow by 2.3%-a-year in real terms. Compare that to the Conservative choice for austerity. In contrast to our increase of 2.3%, they cut spending by 2.9% per year in 2010.Credit: UK Parliament.