Rachel Reeves has made a last-chance plea to Andy Burnham about why she should stay on as Chancellor of the Exchequer - despite mounting rumours she could soon be booted out of No11.

Meanwhile, Ed Miliband, who is eyeing up the top job, is said to have locked down a secret economic role elsewhere in the Treasury, insiders have said.

Ever since the Makerfield MP was welcomed back to Westminster by his MPs before launching head-first into the Labour leadership race, questions have been raised over who would make up Mr Burnham's frontbench.

Among the jobs up for grabs is Chancellor, despite Ms Reeves's aides insisting the Leeds West and Pudsey MP should remain in post.

And, speaking at a Chamber of Commerce summit, she said she has "unfinished business" in the Treasury.

"I’m proud of my record..." she said. "There is more to do, but all of that has to be anchored around that stability that I’ve returned to the economy."

The Labour minister added: "I hope that whoever is Chancellor, in the future, whenever that future may be, sticks to what I’m doing because it is beginning to bear fruit.

"And we are seeing that investment return to the economy, that growth return to the economy, and crucially, that stability, so that businesses can plan and invest for the future."

Meanwhile, Mr Burnham has been urged by expert economists to steer clear of hiring "Red Ed" as Chancellor over fears his left-wing agenda could "spook" the markets.

Instead, he is said to have been handed a role in developing economic policies for the incoming Prime Minister, the Times reported.

The economic policies the Energy Secretary is developing are understood to have fiscal implications, while his aides relay brainstorming back to Mr Burnham's transition team.

He and his team are understood to have been working with Mr Burnham for weeks, although insider claims have suggested that Wes Streeting could be in the running.

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But, earlier today, the boss of the UK's largest trade union has come out in support of Mr Miliband to take over the role from Ms Reeves.

Unison's General Secretary, Andrea Egan, told The Guardian: "Andy Burnham has a historic opportunity to rebuild our country in the interests of workers and communities, but that chance will be squandered if his government is made up of politicians determined to continue the same failed approach.

"We need a Chancellor who will rewire the economy and properly invest to improve the lives of the majority.

"Of those reported to be in the running, only Ed Miliband could enact the kinds of policies trade unions and our members urgently need."

However, two other unions, GMB and Unite, are opposing the appointment.

Mr Burnham's chances of moving into No10 within a month are becoming increasingly likely with Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee, confirming a new leader would be crowned on July 17 if no one challenges the "King of the North".

However, if another challenger raises their head above the parapet and rallies the support of 81 MPs, a contest to win the leadership would take place, with the results to succeed Sir Keir Starmer at the end of August.

So far, James Purnell, a Blairite, has been appointed as Mr Burnham's Chief of Staff.