This ‘fiscal black hole’ we are hearing a lot about reminds me of those clever pavement artists who draw something that isn’t really there at all.

The sight of this deep hole is enough to induce vertigo, although it would be perfectly possible to walk right over.

What a pair of political pavement artists. The chancellor with the name that’s often tripped over to pleasing effect, and the extremely wealth prime minister who still can’t buy trousers that reach all the way to his little feet.

This black hole they’ve drawn is a perfect excuse for a round of cuts and a return to what even the CBI has warned will be the “economic doom loop of austerity” – scary, sounds like the title of a progressive rock album you never want to hear again.

The Progressive Economy Forum argues that the reported £50 billion “hole” the chancellor and prime minister have drawn is “the result of government accountancy rules and highly uncertain forecasts, not tax or spending decisions”.

In other words, it suits them.

There is a lot of this going on. Talking up the so-called migrant crisis is a convenient distraction that makes the ‘problem’ much worse than it really is, helped along by an obsessive media interest in desperate people who risk their lives crossing the Channel in small boats.

While the man in the short trousers is wringing his hands about that, he diverts attention from what a giant, stinking mess his government is making of everything.

The economy shot to pieces, trains not running, inflation soaring, energy prices through the uninsulated roof, hordes of workers going or threatening to go on strike (quite understandable, as their pay has effectively been diminishing for years).

Don’t worry about all that – just look at those people invading our shores.

Rishi Sunak says our economic downturn is “the legacy of Covid” and “what Putin is doing”. That’s still pushing blame elsewhere while inflicting yet more austerity on already-shredded public services. Oh, and don’t forget the tax rises.

Also, here’s something missing from his list. Something those pavement artist tricksters have rubbed out altogether.

Yes, the B-word. The former Bank of England official Michael Saunders said the other day that Brexit has “permanently damaged” the UK economy, while also calling for closer trade links with EU.

Obvious stuff, really.

Hardly anyone in government will admit that Brexit was clearly a terrible idea, as it’s a matter of weird fundamentalism for too many of them. Either, they’re like Jacob Rees-Mogg forever lying through his over-entitled teeth about how great it’s all going. Or they are looking the other way and humming, as David Cameron did when he resigned after losing that referendum.

And don’t go asking Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to say anything sensible about Brexit. He just says things like “we’ll do Brexit better/properly…” Er, how does that work, then? A terrible idea is a terrible idea however you approach it.

This is all so disappointing. Surely Starmer could just admit Brexit has been a catastrophe brought about by the never-ending psychodrama of the Tories versus Europe (not all Tories, but it’s mostly been their squabble).

Sadly, pathetically really, Starmer is too afraid about putting off pro-Brexit voters who may vote Labour next time. Oh, they may have seen the light by then (that’s if the power’s not been cut). They may even have died, still dream of those sun-lit uplands.

Whatever, the next fight is never the same as the last one.

As for that fiscal black hole, it might not really be there. But right now, it looks like we’re all going to be dragged into it anyway.