PARLIAMENT is still working through the implications of last week's Autumn Statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond. There were a few surprises that affect us all.

Start with the fact that Mr Hammond has increased borrowing over the next five years by £122 billion more than what was planned in the March Budget. Put another way, that is £2,000 for every man, woman and child in the UK. Plus annual interest, of course. Imagine that on your credit card.

Much of this rise in borrowing is because of the economic slowdown caused by the Brexit referendum vote. Remember we were promised that coming out of the EU would 'save' £18 billion a year in contributions to Brussels, meaning £350 million a week extra for the NHS? Actually, that £350 million figure was completely bogus because it deliberately ignored the money that flows back from Europe in farmers' support, training funds and infrastructure investment. Britain's true net contribution to the EU has been running at about £8.5 billion a year. Which means the Chancellor's extra borrowing has gobbled up 14 years of any savings we finally make from Brexit.

The Conservative claim to have put the national books in order stands exposed as nonsense – expensive nonsense at that. In 2010, when David Cameron was elected prime minister, the total UK National Debt stood at £1 trillion. By 2020, Philip Hammond says the national debt will be £2 trillion. The Tories have actually doubled the National Debt. It will be 50 years before it is paid off. I'll be dead long before that but I pity the folk who will be taxed to settle the bill.

Meanwhile, the Tory Government remains in a mess over its negotiations to actually quit the EU. Pro-Europe Chancellor Hammond is known to be at war with his pro-Brexit colleagues, Messers Johnson, Davies and Fox – otherwise known as the Three Egos. Court cases are piling up to force the Government to consult MPs over Article 50 (to end EU membership) and now also over the separate issue of membership of the wider European Economic Area. How long before the financial bill for Brexit rockets even higher? I'd like to hear from folk in East Lothian if they would like to see a fresh referendum on EU membership when we get clarity on the Brexit deal.