Defying Brexit doomsayers, the deficit came in at £4.3billion in October - below the £6billion expected. The figures emerged on the eve of Philip Hammond's Autumn Statement.

The analysis, reaction and charts from the experts and our own journalists from throughout the day.

In its five-year forecast the Office for Budget Responsibility predicts net migration will only fall slightly as the UK adopts a tighter migration regime. Net migration is currently 327,000 a year.

MPs have voiced deep scepticism after the Office for Budget Responsibility delivered a series of dire forecasts about the impact of Brexit.

While the OBR's chairman Robert Chote admitted there is a 50 per cent chance that the forecast is 'too gloomy', he is standing by his forecast saying predictions were made based on existing trends.

Until yesterday, Chancellor Philip Hammond was among the most dismal of doom-mongers. But as he delivered his Autumn Statement, he seemed transformed.

Philip Hammond said UK output would grow faster than in most EU countries, creating half a million jobs. He vowed to spend billions to boost productivity, build homes and improve transport.

The Chancellor said the government was treating the estimates from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) as a 'signal' of what might happen.

With political rows and the on-off threat of a no-deal Brexit, there's no guarantee what could happen to the pound between now and 31 October - or after that date.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Harriet Dart and Heather Watson both exited on Thursday to complete a second round British wipeout in the Australian Open singles draw

Patrick Mouratoglou, the Frenchman who supervises Serena Williams' career, admitted that he was shocked by her exit to Qiang Wang on a day of shocks at the Australian Open.

Mexico manager Miguel Herrera illuminated the World Cup with his touchline passion – and the good news is he’ll be back in four years’ time.

BRIAN BARWICK: This has been a hugely enjoyable World Cup for viewers and one that England’s early exit failed to diminish.

Mark Jenson is the co-founder of The Mag, now the leading independent website on all things Newcastle United. He speaks out about what it is like to support a team owned by the retail giant.

Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik remains in talks over a new contract to stay at the club and reports linking to him an exit are 'only rumours', according to his agent.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a last minute dash across the border from Canada to the US to start their new life in Los Angeles.

Lynda Jager, from Ontario, began working out when she was 21 - but was always too scared to go to the gym, and would only exercise in her home.

David Cannon has challenged former AFL player Jonathan 'Browny' Brown to a boxing match.   

Footy star-turned-radio host Brendan Fevola has debuted his dramatic new look while in coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.

Abbey Way (pictured) had commented on a post on Seven's AFL account on Wednesday that praised the Brownlow Medalist for his stellar career.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Gibram Cruz returned home to California to say goodbye to his mom, Rocio Gomez, who is scheduled for deportation on January 2 and doesn't expect he will be able to see her again.

Uber has unveiled its futuristic new flying taxi, which the company plans to launch for airport commuters in Melbourne by 2023. 

A black cab driver, who was pictured outside the Savoy Hotel in central London with a licence plate that threatened to 'Kill Uber' is being investigated.

With various apps offering different prices in London, MailOnline tested out each one over a five-day period to find out which one has the best price. We tested Uber, Gett, Kabbee, Wheely and Bolt.

The temporary suspensions were made after an individual, who had visited Mexico City and used the ride-hailing app before leaving, was diagnosed with coronavirus.

The UK's ninth case of coronavirus arrived at Lewisham Hospital in south London on Sunday night, in a major breach of public health advice.

At least three people have been arrested in connection with the murder of three aspiring doctors and their driver after they attended a weekend festival in east-central Mexico.

One of the Italian men, Dylan Bastonini, posted the video on a Facebook group on Thursday evening. It is unclear where the video was filmed.

A hungry couple from Clapham, south-west London were left shocked after they caught their delivery driver spilling their food on the pavement, before scooping it up and ringing their doorbell.

A Sydneysider who recently signed up to work for popular food delivery service Uber Eats after losing their job due to the pandemic was inundated with tips from other drivers.

Industry chiefs have estimated the demand for taxis has dropped by almost 80 per cent as strict social distancing measures preventing all but essential travel confine Australians to their home.

Before David Moyes arrived to dissect this FA Cup defeat one of the row of pictures saluting happier times for West Ham fell off the press room wall to the floor.

West Brom are finalising a deal for Lee Peltier from fellow Championship side Cardiff. Defender Peltier, 33, is on the verge of joining promotion chasing West Brom from mid-table Cardiff.

Everton 'are targeting a summer move' for Newcastle United's £30million-rated Allan Saint-Maximin. The 22-year-old winger has been one of the bright sparks in Newcastle's season.

The Spaniard arrived on a free transfer from West Ham United over the summer and made his debut just four days later in the Reds' Premier League opener against Norwich City.

UEFA are set to go easy on Financial Fair Play rules for this season and next. But this approach will not benefit Manchester City, who remain banned from the Champions League for the next two seasons.

Carragher, who played for Liverpool for the duration of his time on the pitch, laid his dream team out in a 4-3-3 formation with Gianluigi Buffon picked as the goalkeeper.

Mark Jenson is the co-founder of The Mag, now the leading independent website on all things Newcastle United. He speaks out about what it is like to support a team owned by the retail giant.

Following Ferguson's retirement, United have endured a long slump away from England and Europe's elite but would that still have been the case if Ferguson's bold plans had come to light.

Stoke City are facing a legal fight after failing to pay a mandated agent when they signed their former striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

Brendan Rodgers insists he has no reason to leave Leicester for a Premier League rival after Tottenham showed tentative interest before appointing Jose Mourinho.

Retired scrum-half Mike Phillips admits he felt for Wales after they missed out on the Rugby World Cup final with a 19-16 defeat by South Africa.

Sportsmail sensationally revealed that Howley had been sent home from Japan on the eve of the World Cup after a bookmaker, Betway, alerted the WRU of a rule breach.

Wales will be hopeful Dan Biggar does not spark a backline injury crisis ahead of their Six Nations match against England after going off early for Northampton on Saturday against Saracens.

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN WHANGAREI: Chris Woakes intends to make himself undroppable as England weigh up whether to pick him or Sam Curran at No 8 in next week's first Test against New Zealand.

Strictly Come Dancing fans pointed out Motsi's 'fuming' reaction as Catherine, 36, and her professional partner Johannes Radebe, 32, were booted off the show on Sunday evening.

A court ruling for appeals filed by the Serbian and Albanian football federation against UEFA sanctions after their European Championship qualifier was abandoned is expected by July 10.

Albania were rewarded with an open-top bus parade despite being knocked out of their first Euros after finishing third in Group A. England will surely have to go further before getting the same

Nomads Canteen, in San Clemente, reopened over the weekend in defiance of California's stay-at-home order. Police were called to the scene but owner Jeff Gourley said he only got a warning.

A Mexican man detained at a privately-run prison for unlawfully entering the United States says ICE detainees with COVID-19 were reintegrated to the rest of the detention center's population.