“There is a clear contradiction between implementing laudable measures such as planning reform and infrastructure investment whilst, at the same time, applying a handbrake through measures which will inevitably reduce investment and freeze recruitment. This is a clear dichotomy that the government needs to resolve internally.”

After six months of talking down the economy and warning of tough times ahead, the UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has changed her tune. She is now much more optimistic about Britain’s economic prospects and has announced a raft of measures including major pension reforms designed to unlock cash to boost growth and productivity.