Autumn Statement 2016: What the commentators thought

Philip Hammond's first set-piece was a sombre affair, say the pundits, but not everyone thinks that's bad

Hammond
(Image credit: Carl Court/Getty Images)

In his first set-piece as chancellor, Philip Hammond "hoped to ditch the card tricks and just lay out the grim hand he had been dealt", says Matt Chorley in The Times.

However, he could not do that: Prime Minister Theresa May "demanded rabbits to be pulled from hats – no matter how small, old or riddled with myxomatosis", adds the journalist.

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