After a party conference dominated by the truncating of HS2 and an underwhelming King’s speech, expectations were raised for this year’s Autumn Statement.

Would the chancellor - with greater than expected fiscal headroom - loosen the purse strings a little and commit to a few Black Friday-style giveaways to boost his party’s prospects at the next general election?

Or would he remain steadfastly committed to the fiscal rectitude that had defined his two prior fiscal events as chancellor?