Two close allies of Jeremy Corbyn are preparing to stand on a joint ticket for Labour’s leadership positions.

Rebecca Long Bailey, the shadow business secretary, and Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, are understood to have teamed up to run for the Labour leadership and deputy leadership respectively.

Ms Long Bailey has the backing of John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, and will run for leader with her friend and flatmate as her deputy. The two have shared a flat in London since becoming MPs in 2015 and their friendship is thought to be behind their reluctance to compete for the same position.

Both represent Greater Manchester constituencies and joined the shadow cabinet to fill vacancies caused by resignations after the 2016 EU referendum.