The chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, appointed by Liz Truss after she had sacked Kwasi Kwarteng and reappointed by Rishi Sunak, presented his autumn budget on Thursday in an effort to demonstrate to the world that UK plc is once again under responsible management.

After the economic chaos caused by Truss and Kwarteng with their unfunded tax cuts, Rishi has to show the country is now in safe hands.

Hunt had the difficult task of plugging a £55 billion deficit in the nation’s finances. He raised many taxes but at the same time sought to protect the most vulnerable.

Is Rishi safe until the next election in two years?

It’s too early to tell but the BBC summed up the first reaction: “The financial markets made a muted reaction to the chancellor’s Autumn Statement. The pound fell around half a cent against the dollar after Jeremy Hunt began speaking, to hit a low of $1.1802. Government borrowing costs were largely unchanged. This suggests that the chancellor’s job of reassuring investors is succeeding — so far at least.”

There is a shortage of eggs, with supermarket shelves either empty or rationing customers to two boxes.

“Some UK farmers are cutting back or halting egg production this year due to rising costs,” is the explanation.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven up farmers’ energy bills along with the cost of chicken feed, hens and packaging. There are also wage pressures due to a shortage of labour.”

Those who cannot get at Rishi are attacking his wife, Akshata Murty. Speaking during the G20 summit in Bali, Rishi confirmed he was willing to publish his full tax returns.

“Yes, of course,” he said, adding: “I have no problem doing that.” But Labour critics want to scrutinise her tax returns.

Rishi flew back overnight from Indonesia and understandably looked a little tired as he sat next to Hunt as the chancellor addressed the Commons.

As Hunt sat down, he patted him warmly on the shoulders — just as Boris Johnson had done when Rishi was the cabinet minister in charge of the country’s finances.

“So, Mr Speaker, this is a balanced path to stability: tackling the inflation to reduce the cost of living and protect pensioner savings whilst supporting the economy on a path to sustainable growth,” said Hunt.

“But it means taking difficult decisions. We want low taxes and sound money. But sound money has to come first because inflation eats away at the pound in people’s pockets even more insidiously than taxes.

“So, with just under half of the £55 billion consolidation coming from tax, and just over half from spending, this is a balanced plan for stability.