This was a statement to set up the long road to the next election. Despite threats of cuts, spending across the board was held flat, with most cuts coming (in theory) in the next parliament. Instead, this was a money raising statement, with wider taxes on individuals and capital.

For the environmental agenda, the chancellor placed energy security, infrastructure and innovation at the centre of his statement. It acknowledged that the way to prevent the UK being at the mercy of international gas prices is through a combination of energy independence and energy efficiency.

This briefing looks at the autumn statement more closely and explains its implications for the environment.