What new miracles will be unveiled at the delayed Budget announcement on 17 November? Our current ignorance may turn out to have been bliss.

A closer brush with both the ‘laugh or cry’ and UK staff shortages phenomenon came at a stop at an international fast-food chain restaurant near my home where I occasionally feed my chocolate-chip cookie addiction. A sign at the entrance proclaimed that there was no lobby or counter service due to “technical issues”, ie. staff shortages. The long and the short of this is that I ended up walking, in between cars, through the drive-through lane to order, pay for and pick up my cookies, at three different service points.

What new miracles will be unveiled at the delayed Budget announcement on 17 November?”

The worker at the pay window was the guy who ultimately prepared and handed me my bag of cookies. Staff shortage personified. He stared at me. I smiled. What else could I do? 

What has your autumn thrown at you? Make the most of the rest of 2022!

DeeDee Doke, Editor