The chancellor’s ‘agile’ approach to tackling this pandemic has cost jobs and wasted money

A record number of people were made redundant between July and September, while government support is still going to some who don't need it, Ben Chapman writes

(Reuters TV)

"It is not a weakness to be agile and fast-moving in the face of a crisis but rather a strength."

So said Rishi Sunak last week as he extended the furlough scheme and support for self-employed workers until the end of March.

The chancellor's statement is undoubtedly true but the noble sentiment he expressed is less illuminating than the context in which his words were uttered.