In her speech at the Labour Party Conference, Chancellor Rachel Reeves highlighted that government choices have been made harder by international events and the long-term damage done to the economy.

The Chancellors exact words were “We will fact further tests, with choices to come, made all the harder by harsh global headwinds and long-term damage to the economy, which is becoming ever clearer”. Could this mean tax rises in the November budget?

The problem being that taking more money out of economy in this way will not help with the situation we find ourselves. The aim should be to help people have more money in their pockets to spend.

Or is it not about tax rises, but more about being stricter on public spending. The Chancellor said “There are still those who peddle the idea that we could just abandon economy responsibility and cast off any constraints on spending”. Yet not spending on the public sector also affects the economy. A strong public sector helps create a strong private sector, and vice versa. Confidence breeds confidence.

So the Chancellor wants us all to take a more cautious approach and be aware that there maybe more difficult decisions ahead.

There were a few positive steps that were announced, that will help with public finances and the economy.

Young people may have sanctions on their benefits if they refuse an offer of a guaranteed paid work placement. Those who have been out of a job or education for 18 months will be offered a guaranteed paid work placement. This is a big step forward and help those who can’t get back on the job ladder and get the experience needed to turn their lives around. This also helps the economy.

The Chancellor also announced that the government will pledge to fund a library in every primary school in England by the next election.

They will set up a new hit squad of investigators to target covid fraudsters, with new powers to recover money lost to PPE contracts which failed to deliver

They will bring in new legislation to help ensure ships and steel are British-Made.

In a speech where there was a lot of cautious undertones, there were a few positives in there. The legislation to make sure ships and steel are British-Made helps not just the economy but also our national security.

It will certainly be interesting to see what happens with the budget in November.

I just wish this Labour government brings the hope and change that it talked about at the general election.