The Conservative party has been disastrous for the economy, and we are £100bn poorer because of it

Brexit has exacerbated existing policy missteps as firms hold off investment, waiting in vain for some clarity from Theresa May about what lies ahead

Is the government economically malign or simply in denial? (PA)

The economic cost of the government’s austerity agenda has now been laid bare, destroying any remaining hope the Conservatives had of claiming to be the party of economic competence.

Massive budget cuts over the last eight years at exactly the time when stimulus was needed have left the country £100bn worse off than it would otherwise have been, according to analysis by the New Economics Foundation.

The astonishing bill for austerity equates to £3,600 of lost wealth this year for every UK household, specifically because of the government’s regressive policies.