DON'T LET SCROOGES DRAG YOU DOWN

In an upbeat festive message, Chancellor says Britain has finally 'turned the corner'

- David Williamson

JEREMY Hunt last night blasted the economic "Scrooges" who talk Britain down, insisting we are on the road to prosperity.

The Chancellor delivered much-needed Christmas cheer by declaring the country had now "turned a corner" and could look forward to a brighter year ahead. In a festive  message, he said his fiscal measures were working and our medium-term prospects were now better than France and Germany.

He told the Sunday Express: "I remember last Christmas when a number of commentators were confidently predicting turmoil for the economy and high inflation was here to stay. That has not happened.

A year later and our decisive action means we have turned a corner." Mr Hunt added: "The future of our finances is looking brighter so don't let the Scrooges get you down."

The Chancellor gave his optimistic outlook in a week when inflation fell and confidence grew that energy bills and interest rates will soon come down.

Experts predict Britain will avoid a recession and will have a brighter outlook for 2024, despite revised official data showing gross domestic product fell 0.1 per cent.

Mr Hunt boasted that prices are now rising at the "slowest rate in two years". He also said the "pieces are in place for stronger growth".

And he defended taking "decisive action" and "rejecting inflation-busting pay rises for public servants".

This week, up to 22 million shoppers are expected to demonstrate his optimism by splashing out an eye-watering £3.68billion in the Boxing Day sales.

Festive revellers are also expected to give the service industry a multibillion-pound boost over Christmas and New Year.