Reeves to lead trade mission to Saudi Arabia amid human rights concerns

Ministers hope to secure a deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council that could add 1.6bn to the UK economy

Rachel Reeves will lead a delegation of senior business leaders to Saudi Arabia on Monday as she hopes to deepen the UK's relationship with a state that has been widely criticised for human rights abuses.

She is the first UK chancellor to visit the Gulf in six years and is expected to meet senior Saudi royals, US administration representatives and global business figures.