Sir Stephen Houghton warns Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt have some huge economic choices to make, but with the Autumn Statement looming it is vital local government funding is protected if the levelling up agenda is to make progress

The Autumn Statement scheduled for 17 November will, in many ways, define the new Prime Minister's first term in office and the wider levelling up agenda. With the Government required to close a huge black hole in the public finances to meet their goal of reducing the debt as a proportion of the economy within the next few years, Rishi Sunak faces some big choices.