Rachel Reeves has said she is determined to "defy" forecasts that suggest she will face a multibillion-pound black hole in next month's budget.

Writing in The Guardian , the chancellor argued the "foundations of Britain's economy remain strong" - and rejected claims the country is in a permanent state of decline.

Reports have suggested the Office for Budget Responsibility is expected to downgrade its productivity growth forecast by about 0.3 percentage points.

Image: Rachel Reeves. PA file pic

That means the Treasury will take in less tax than expected over the coming years - and this could leave a gap of up to £40bn in the country's finances.

Ms Reeves wrote she would not "pre-empt" these forecasts, and her job "is not to relitigate the past or let past mistakes determine our f

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