“Spreadsheet Phil” has maintained his position of influence in Whitehall, despite a high-profile rift with Theresa May and some of the hard Brexiteers. The Chancellor has been supportive of a softer Brexit and a longer period of transition to new arrangements. This has irked many of his Cabinet colleagues, but for now, he looks unmovable.
He’s also interested in higher education finance, and there’s every indication that his November Budget will seek to address some of the concerns raised over the summer. Will he cut fees, tinker with repayment, give students more maintenance support? It’s largely down to the Treasury and its boffins to make it all work. We’ll be watching any moves carefully.