CHANCELLOR Rishi Sunak has had a “good pandemic” so far.
The furlough scheme is working well (after a few initial hiccups).
And his generous package for the hospitality sector stopped thousands of pubs and restaurants being driven into the ground.
But giving away money was the easy bit. And Mr Sunak must think very carefully indeed about the measures he takes now to plug the gaping, Covid-shaped hole in public finances.
A freeze to public sector pay we can countenance. In fact, it would hardly seem fair if private sector workers — who have been through the mill this year — were taxed to high heaven in order to give state workers with secure jobs a pay rise.
Hiking corporation tax, on the other hand, would be an epic mistake.
Even a small rise would cripple small firms desperately trying to get back on their feet after lockdown.
And deterring entrepreneurs and chief executives from creating companies would be madness when unemployment is at a four-year high already — and set to spiral in the months ahead.
We’re not surprised that Mr Sunak wants to refill the country’s coffers: it’s downright alarming that Britain is £2 TRILLION in debt.
But bleeding companies dry is no way to go about it.
Let drinkers mix
THANK goodness the hated 10pm curfew is for the chop. It was damaging and pointless.
But we urge the Prime Minister to urgently rethink the countrywide ban on different households mixing inside which is set to replace it.
Outdoor socialising was fine in May and June. But precious few will brave ice and sleet to sit in a beer garden.
So the miserable intervention will surely kill hundreds of pubs and restaurants.
Landlords spent fortunes on making their pubs Covid-secure before the tiers system came in.
And after months of endless handwashing and social distancing, customers know exactly how to stay safe.
Time for the Government to take a step back and let the industry take it from here.
EU codswallop
The Chancellor is right: we don’t want a Brexit deal at any cost.
The fishing fudge — which would allow Brussels to interfere with our waters for another ten years — is not what Brits voted for in 2016.
And it would go down like a lead balloon with Red Wall voters in coastal towns and villages.
Boris and his negotiators have been admirably consistent from the start: a deal that is compatible with our newly won sovereignty is the only one that Britain can accept.
They must not lose their grip now.
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk