In delivering last November’s Autumn Statement, the Chancellor had one overriding mission – to rescue the economy following the damage inflicted on it by the now infamous mini-Budget.

 This time round his task was perhaps a little less critical, but no less complex. Mission number one was to consolidate last year’s economic rescue act, most of all by continuing to tame inflation. Mission number two was to demonstrate a long-term vision to accelerate the anaemic growth that has blighted the economy since 2008. And mission number three was to avoid any huge spending commitments so more notable rabbits could be pulled from the hat in the next Budget much closer to 2024’s general election.