As Labour frustration grows, could OBR forecasts be cut to once a year?

Government officials were annoyed that OBR forecasters disagreed with Rachel Reeves’ original estimates for how much disability payment cuts would save. Photograph: Justin Tallis/Reuters

When Labour was riding high in opposition, the Office for Budget Responsibility was a near sacrosanct institution. Its manifesto pledged Labour would “never sideline the OBR for political convenience”.

But emerging from a punishing spring statement, inside No 10 the former devotees have turned sceptics. The fiscal rules remain untouchable – despite Labour MPs’ grumbles – but there is intense frustration at the institution that marks the government’s homework.