Hunt accused of trying to ‘blame the referee’ over OBR ‘black hole’ review

Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt is involved in a row with the Government over the Office for Budget Responsibility’s review of the public finances (James Manning/PA) - (PA Archive)

Rachel Reeves has accused Jeremy Hunt of “lashing out” at the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) as the watchdog prepares to publish a report on the Conservatives’ legacy.

Shadow chancellor Mr Hunt has written to the country’s top civil servant, claiming that the OBR risks “straying into political territory and failing to follow due process” over its handling of the review into this year’s spending plans.