MIKE HILL: Reasons to be cheerful but let us all be sensible about Xmas

Yesterday the Chancellor gave us details of the outcome of the spending review; no early Christmas presents for public sector workers and those on the minimum wage. In fact he made it perfectly clear who would be paying the bill for the huge amount of borrowing by the Treasury in recent months. And today comes the announcement many citizens and businesses have been waiting for with bated breath; which tier will we be in this time next week.

Meanwhile the march of COVID appears to be relentless despite the second national lockdown.

Here in the north east the scientists are reporting that the ‘R’ rate is coming down, but numbers remain high. Positive stuff on the one hand, but the prospect of continued restrictions and misery on the other.

So, as we watch those expensive seasonal adverts spill out of our television screens; as the various vaccines begin to appear on the horizon like troops of cavalry coming over the hill and, as we are told there will be light at the end of the tunnel, do we truly have reasons to be cheerful?

Are we able to dare to dream that 2021 will be a better year?

There is no doubt that any easing of restrictions this Christmas will come with added risks; it is the season for gathering indoors after all.

We have to be optimistic though and hope that we can safely navigate our way through the festive period.

The relaxation of the rules on travelling and the number of families coming together means we will be walking into our Christmas bubbles with eyes wide open.

So, we do have reasons to be cheerful but let’s be sensible and make sure the new year is indeed a better one for all of us.