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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Christopher McKeon

Watchdog urged to investigate pre-Budget briefing over deficit claims

Rachel Reeves Budget Stephen Flynn SNP FCA James Manning Westminster
Rachel Reeves faced a smaller-than-expected gap in her spending plans at the Budget, despite warnings the black hole could amount to more than £20 billion (James Manning/PA) - (PA Wire)

The City watchdog has faced calls to investigate whether the Treasury misled the public over the size of the fiscal repair job Rachel Reeves faced ahead of this week’s Budget.

In a letter to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Scottish National Party (SNP) urged the watchdog to look into claims of “deliberately false and misleading” briefings about a £20 billion black hole in the public finances.

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