Determined to "defy" forecasts

'My decisions at budget don't come for free,' warns Reeves

Rachel Reeves has said she is determined to "defy" forecasts that suggest she will face a multibillion-pound black hole in next month's budget, but has indicated there are some tough choices on the way.

Writing in The Guardian, the chancellor argued the "foundations of Britain's economy remain strong" - and rejected claims the country is in a permanent state of decline.

Reports have suggested the Office for Budget Responsibility is expected to downgrade its productivity growth forecast by about 0.3 percentage points.

That means the Treasury will take in less tax than expected over the coming years - and this could leave a gap of up to £40bn in the country's finances.

Ms Reeves wrote she would not "pre-empt" these forecasts, and her job "is not to relitigate the past or let past mistakes determine our future".

By gum she's useless. A chap is bound to ask if her determination to "defy" forecasts is similar to Ed Miliband's determination to defy reality. 

They may as well paint their faces and dance around the stone circle on Stanton Moor at midnight, chanting defiance at the heavens. At least that would be amusing and I could go and watch.