LAST week saw the first winter snow fall on the Ochil Hills, and for the first time since the start of the year I had to scrape ice from my car in the morning. But in the parallel universe occupied by this Westminster Government, it’s now time to make their annual Autumn Statement.

Despite the significant and substantial political upheavals we’ve seen throughout this period both at home and abroad, today’s set-piece announcement will prove to be the biggest test Theresa May’s Government has faced since assuming office in the bitter aftermath of David Cameron’s failed leadership.

In the 132 days since the Prime Minister walked through the doors of No 10 Downing Street, we’ve been governed by one of the most opaque executives in modern history.

While the pound has plunged on the currency markets, medium-term forecasts for GDP have dropped and hate crime in England and Wales has risen, we still know very little about the mettle of the May administration, beyond the fact that she doesn’t appear to agree with a word Boris Johnson or Liam Fox say in public. And that Brexit, means Brexit means Brexit.

So, starting when the Chancellor of the Exchequer rises from his seat to address the House of Commons today after Prime Minister’s Questions, and ending as Her Majesty’s Treasury publishes the full complement of documents and briefings when he sits down again, this 45 minutes or so will be the defining moment of this Government so far.

We already know the severe economic challenges we face.

Since the EU referendum, the Treasury has carried out a forbidding evaluation of Brexit on the UK economy, stating that they expect tax receipts to reduce by between £38 billion and £66bn a year after 15 years and for GDP to drop as much as 9.5 per cent if the UK reverts to World Trade Organization rules following its departure from the EU.

The dangers are also clear for Scotland, with up to 80,000 jobs over the next decade and up to £11.2bn per year by 2030 all under threat if we’re to be dragged out of the EU against the will of our voters and our Parliament. What remains to be seen is the measures Philip Hammond will take now to mitigate the damage done.

For example, in my role as the SNP’s international trade spokesperson, I’m increasingly concerned about the lack of action from the Tories to capitalise fully on the potential of Scottish exports, especially given that they’ve recently reiterated their commitment to doubling the UK’s exports.

There are substantial grounds to fear that the long-term insecurity many predict following Brexit could further deteriorate trade opportunities for Scottish businesses, as well as undermine the integrity of our wider economy.

That’s why, as a matter of urgency, the Chancellor should signal the development of a clear, comprehensive and costed trade strategy that would sit alongside the positive action that our First Minster announced at the SNP conference last month to support Scottish business abroad, and that will allow investment to flourish, boost exports and create jobs.

Without this they’re planning to fail by failing to plan.

In addition to these hard-headed business decisions, we also need to see a compassionate and human response from this Government to support victims of the recent tax credits crisis.

Over the past week, parliamentary questions I’ve tabled have revealed that there have been tens of thousands of victims who have had their tax credit payments stopped without warning or good reason by Concentrix, a contractor to HMRC. Of these, nine out of 10 have had their payments restarted following an appeal. This stark and alarming figure is a sure sign that something has gone very wrong with the administration of this process, and one which has had devastating human consequences for many families.

This is why I wrote to the Chancellor yesterday to demand that he put funding aside in today’s statement in order to pay proper compensation to all those who have been placed in such financial and emotional stress through the fault of others. It is a test of this Government’s underlying character whether they face up the mistakes made under their watch and do the right thing by these families.

Successful administrations the world over have governed with both the head and the heart.

Now winter is coming, we’ll see tomorrow afternoon whether this Westminster government have the stomach to meet these twin challenges.