THE Autumn Statement by the new Chancellor, is less confident of economic recovery and cited Brexit as the cause of this.

Hard times will last longer than the previous Chancellor had indicated.

So is Brexit a convenient excuse? We’ll never know. Forecasts are just educated guesses. So what can we rely on from the statement?

Well there are sums of money indicated for certain projects: roads, housing, superfast broadband and research. This money is clear and committed. Or is it?

Governments have a habit of promising a lot, giving away only part of it and holding the rest back to save towards the next giveaway.

So we can’t rely on that 100 per cent either. So what is definite in the budget? Taxes.

Income tax and National Insurance thresholds and insurance premium tax changes will happen. So what does it all mean for you?

Roads spending will help to control congestion and housing investment makes living in the area more affordable.

The changes to income tax and the living wage will help those at the lower end of earnings a little too.

It’s not radical but every little helps. Let’s hope that the market thinks it’s ok too as it’s confidence that really matters.

  •  LAWRENCE Bellamy is associate dean for the University of Chester's Padgate campus.