Rachel Reeves told the BBC [that] savings would be made from back office and administrative roles rather than front-line services.

But unions warned the impact of cuts would still be felt by the public.

It comes ahead of the chancellor’s Spring Statement on Wednesday, when she is expected to announce spending cuts for some government departments.

The move is part of an ongoing spending review looking into all areas of government activity.

In the coming week, Whitehall departments will receive a letter from Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden with instructions to make savings amounting to more than £2bn a year by the end of the decade.

Sectors such as human resources, policy advice, communications and office management are expected to be in the firing line.

Reeves told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme the government wanted to use savings to invest in its priorities, such as the NHS.

She said the size of the Civil Service had increased “massively” during Covid and had not returned to pre-pandemic levels.