Hammond hints at dropping Autumn Statement

This year's even to go ahead in November

Chancellor Philip Hammond is considering dropping the Autumn Statement in future years to reduce the scale of the Treasury's role in government.

According to the Financial Times, Hammond (pictured) has told colleagues he is considering moving the focus of the Autumn Statement to fiscal forecasting rather than tax and spending decisions. The Chancellor reportedly said he wants to move away from "gimmicks" and micromanagement by keeping tax and spending issues confined to the Spring Budget.  However, this year's Autumn Statement, the first one for Hammond who took up the position in July, will go ahead as planned on 23 November. This will give Hammond the first chance to detail the government's economic and fiscal policy foll...