Autumn statement: safeguard public investment, say experts

Economists warn Philip Hammond over ignoring infrastructure needs amid 100bn black hole in finances

The chancellor, Philip Hammond, should limit the impact of the Brexit vote on the economy by excluding public investment spending from his deficit reduction plans in his autumn statement next week, economists say.

As the Treasury finalised tax and spending plans, economists warned that a black hole in government finances of more than 100bn could deter the chancellor from boosting infrastructure spending and leave the economy to cope with severe headwinds without extra support.

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