‘Time to get the boost that Brexit promised’

Jeremy Hunt will make spending cuts of some £35billion and raise £20billion in tax (Image: GETTY)The Chancellor has made clear that some ‘very horrible decisions’ will be announced in Thursday’s Autumn Statement to deal with the near-£60million black hole in the UK economy.All of us will be paying higher taxes one way or another. Overall, it is expected that the Chancellor will make spending cuts of some £35billion and raise £20billion in tax.He is also stressing that the UK has not yet fully benefited from leaving the European Union – and wants to put that right. We welcome this particular focus. Boris Johnson ‘got Brexit done’ but not enough has been put in place to make sure the British economy reaps the rewards from the historic referendum of 2016.That dividend must be cashed in as we start the herculean task of growing the economy. Businesses must be given the encouragement and incentives to flourish in the coming months.And growth must be the Government’s prime goal. Without it, cost-cutting and raised taxes mean nothing.All across the country at war memorials big and small, heads were bowed and a two-minute silence was observed to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts around the world.But yesterday’s Remembrance Sunday had an extra poignancy to it because Her Majesty the Queen was not there to lead the nation in paying its respects. Instead, her son, King Charles III, performed this solemn duty, supported by other senior members of the Royal Family.To commemorate 40 years since the end of the Falklands War, 400 members of the South Atlantic Medal Association marched down Whitehall – but it was striking how few veterans from World War Two filed past the Cenotaph.Sadly, their number dwindles with every passing year. But their bravery in defending our country from Nazism will never be forgotten. We salute them.What a weekend of sport that was. There was agony for the England women’s rugby team in the World Cup final against New Zealand, beaten in the last few minutes.Then England’s men lost to Samoa in the semis of the rugby league World Cup by the narrowest of margins.Some of us might have been tempted to fear the worst in yesterday’s T20 cricket World Cup Final in Australia – but Jos Butler and the boys brought it home in magnificent fashion.Let’s have more of the same when the football World Cup starts next week.