The dismal legacy of 12 long years of Conservative rule was laid bare yesterday.
Britain is in recession, with unemployment set to rise by more than 500,000 and households facing the biggest fall in living standards since records began.
Jeremy Hunt sought to blame this dire state on affairs on Covid and the war in Ukraine. But he should not take the public for fools.
The pandemic and the Russian invasion have hurt economies worldwide, but the problems Britain faces were made by the Tories.
The Chancellor is having to hike taxes and cut spending because his predecessor, Kwasi Kwarteng, crashed the economy.
It is the Tories who are responsible for the UK being the only G7 country whose economy is smaller than it was before Covid struck.
Mr Hunt deserves no credit for lifting pensions and benefits in line with inflation.
To do otherwise would have been immoral, especially when the Chancellor is also reducing support for rocketing energy bills.
This Autumn Statement is an admission of failure, the consequence of Tory mismanagement, low growth and a botched Brexit deal.
And it is families who are paying the price.
Second class
The Royal Mail was once one of the most efficient postal services in the world.
That changed when it was privatised on the cheap. Millions of pounds that should have been spent on improving services were instead siphoned off to shareholders.
While managers enjoyed lavish pay, workers lost their jobs and stamp prices were hiked.
The Royal Mail is now considering scrapping Saturday letter deliveries as it seeks to cut costs. Such a move would put at risk its obligation to provide a universal service.
It is time it started putting customers first.
Cobble wobble
Coronation Street has launched its own brand of gin.
Enjoy responsibly – perhaps three nights a week and a triple helping at the weekend...
