A new tradition has emerged in British politics this year. Whenever hotshot young Chancellor Rishi Sunak is about to make an important announcement or speech, his savvy press team release a few glossy snaps of him deep in preparation. “Dishy Rishi”, as he’s known, is young, fit and impeccably groomed – so these almost invariably look like adverts from a fancy clothing catalogue.

In the latest pics this week, which curtain-raised his emergency “Spending Review” – basically a mid-year budget statement without the detailed spreadsheets – there was an austerity-themed tweak: his customary cup of tea was in a plain porcelain mug, instead of his usual $325 Bluetooth-enabled tea-warming gadget.