Hammond upbeat on growth and spending in spring statement

Chancellor says economy will beat forecasts and that Britain's 'best days lie ahead of us'

Philip Hammond promised Britain that "our best days lie ahead of us", as he delivered an upbeat spring statement paving the way for a boost to public spending in the autumn.

Hailing a modest improvement in economic forecasts, and what he called a "turning point" in the public finances, the chancellor sought to shrug off his image as the cabinet's Eeyore, insisting he was "at my most positively Tigger-like".

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