There is not yet a date for this year’s Autumn Budget. But by convention it is normally a Wednesday, so October 29 and November 5 both look like good bets. For presentational reasons the Chancellor might want to give Bonfire Night a wide berth. The inevitability of Guy Fawkes-themed headlines about taxes “going up like a rocket” or a “bonfire of broken promises” will surely make nervous Treasury spin-doctors urge another day.
Whatever the final choice, there are three months still to go and the summer holiday season is well under way. But Rachel Reeves is certain to be spending much of her time on the sun lounger inking in the broad outline of what is likely to prove a very difficult Budget presentation to MPs and voters.
