Full Breakdown
Ravinder Athwal Becomes Senior Special Adviser to Chancellor John Healey
By Drooid · · How we work
Appointment and Immediate Role
Labour economist Ravinder Athwal, author of the party’s 2024 manifesto and former senior adviser in Keir Starmer’s Downing Street team, has been hired as a senior special adviser to Chancellor John Healey. Athwal leaves the business advisory firm Flint Global, where he led the group’s economic work, to join the Treasury “next week”, a month before Healey’s first budget. A source close to Healey said his arrival will provide “experienced heavyweight economist” guidance ahead of the budget.
Political and Economic Context
Healey took over as chancellor in July and has already recruited Will Straw as chief of staff. The Labour government faces high global oil and gas prices and rising borrowing costs, which have eroded at least half of the fiscal headroom built by his predecessor, Rachel Reeves. Reeves’s former chief economic adviser Neil Amin-Smith has moved to the No 10 office of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s deputy, Andy Burnham.
Official Statements
“Having Rav join John’s team as an experienced heavyweight economist at the Treasury ahead of this budget will be invaluable. His political nous will add to the special adviser team, providing John with guidance and counsel to the chancellor.” — John Healey, an adviser
Implications for the 28 October Budget
Treasury officials say the budget will be “focused”, with key decisions on tax and spending likely deferred to a spending review next year after Burnham’s ten-year plan is set out. Healey has reiterated his commitment to a defence spending target of 3 % of GDP by 2030, but has not set a timetable for its achievement. Treasury sources also indicate that options for consumer support amid rising energy costs are being explored, though assistance is expected to fall short of the universal scheme introduced by former chancellor Liz Truss in 2022.
