Reeves’s planning overhaul stalls as senior adviser quits after four months

Exclusive: Catherine Howard’s exit comes amid disagreements at top of government about how far to push deregulation agenda

Rachel Reeves’s attempts to overhaul Britain’s planning laws have been dealt a blow after a senior lawyer whom she appointed as an adviser decided to leave the government after just four months.

Catherine Howard will leave the Treasury when her contract ends on 1 January, despite having been asked informally to stay on indefinitely.