The Latest Breaking News from OBR

Starmer has little choice but to bind himself closer to his chancellor

Ditching Rachel Reeves would put spotlight back on real context for decision to drop idea of breaching manifesto

The Guardian - UK · Dec 1, 2025

How the standoff between Rachel Reeves and the OBR unfolded

Treasury’s independent economic forecaster says outlook for economy rosier than chancellor led everyone to believe

The Guardian - UK · Dec 1, 2025

OBR chairman resigns over Budget leak

Richard Hughes has served as chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility since 2020 and was reappointed to the job in July.

The Independent UK · Dec 1, 2025

Controversial ‘zombie’ infant Jesus stolen from Nativity scene

Early reports that the infant Jesus had been beheaded are false

The Independent UK · Dec 1, 2025

OBR says inadvertent budget leak is ‘worst failure’ in its 15-year history

Investigation finds organisation’s leadership over many years was to blame for error, and similar breach happened earlier this year

The Guardian - UK · Dec 1, 2025

OBR must ‘change completely’ how sensitive reports published after Budget leak

A review of the watchdog’s processes for publishing has been recommended.

Evening Standard · Dec 1, 2025

Why Rachel Reeves chose a ‘smorgasbord’ of tax tweaks – and the risks involved in that approach

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her second budget, in which she raised taxes by £26 billion. This will take the UK tax burden to an all-time high of 38% of GDP by 2030-31. But it will also more than double Reeves’ “fiscal headroom” to £22 billion.

The Conversation · Dec 1, 2025

Starmer says there was ‘no misleading’ by Chancellor ahead of Budget

Rachel Reeves has also reportedly been accused of misleading the Cabinet.

Evening Standard · Dec 1, 2025

Starmer raises pressure on head of OBR by saying budget leak was ‘serious error’

PM says he is ‘very supportive’ of spending watchdog but breach was a ‘massive discourtesy’ to parliament

The Guardian - UK · Dec 1, 2025

Did Rachel Reeves lie to justify her £26billion Budget tax raid?

The Chancellor is facing calls to resign over misleading the public and Cabinet minister over the state of Britain’s finances

Evening Standard · Dec 1, 2025