<p>New figures show that not only has the economy contracted, but job hiring is at a record low.</p><br><p>Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves strode into Downing Street on July 5th talking about just one thing - growth. But since then the government has raised employers’ national insurance contributions, slapped taxes on farmers, slashed winter fuel allowance and now worse news still - the economy officially shrunk in October and the number of job vacancies is at a record low. So, is Rachel Reeves the worst chancellor in history?</p><br><p>Plus, we’ll hear from a veteran who lost both his legs and his right arm in Afghanistan and how the Army Benevolent Fund - another of the charities the Telegraph is supporting this Christmas - changed his life.</p><br><p>You can read more about the work done by the Army Benevolent Fund on The Telegraph website using the link below. Other charities we are supporting include: Alzheimer’s Research UK, Teenage Cancer Trust and Humanity and Inclusion. To donate to any of them,<em> </em>please visit<a href="http://telegraph.co.uk/appeal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> telegraph.co.uk/2024appeal</a> or call 0151 317 5247.</p><br><p><strong>Read:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/2024/11/02/telegraph-christmas-charity-appeal-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal 2024: Who we are supporting and how you can donate</a></p><p><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/2024/12/19/andy-reid-army-benevolent-fund-ambassador/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Out of respect for those who died, I have to keep going</a>, by Andy Reid</p><br><p>Producers: Lilian Fawcett & Georgia Coan</p><p>Senior Producer: John Cadigan</p><p>Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey</p><p>Executive Producer: Louisa Wells</p><p>Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie</p><p>Social Media Producer: Niamh Walsh</p><p>Studio Operator: Meghan Searle</p><p>Editor: Camilla Tominey</p><p>Original music by Goss Studio</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
