Jeremy Hunt criticizes the OBR during the release of the review on budget day
Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has criticized the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) for allegedly undermining its political impartiality, as it prepares to release a review likely to criticize the Conservative government on budget day.
The review is expected to address Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ claims of a £22 billion funding gap left by previous administrations.
According to Reeves, this financial “black hole” only became apparent when he came into office, alleging that the Tory government withheld important information from the OBR. The review, which will be published on the same day as the Autumn Budget, will focus on the department’s spending transparency and the government’s past provision of data to the OBR.
Hunt expressed his concern about the timing, saying, “I don’t believe publishing a review criticizing the main opposition party on budget day is politically neutral.” He also said that no Conservative ministers had been consulted, calling the review a “political intervention.”
The timing led Hunt to suggest the OBR may have “pre-judged the outcome”, casting doubt on its neutrality. The release comes in line with Reeves’ expected budget, which is expected to include tax increases and spending cuts aimed at tackling the £22 billion deficit.
OBR chairman Richard Hughes defended the timing, clarifying that the report focused on “the institutional relationship between the OBR and the Treasury” and the “sufficiency of information and assurances” previously provided. He explained that, given the potential market sensitivity of the report’s content, it was inappropriate and inappropriate to share the conclusions with former ministers prior to publication.
As the OBR’s findings are set to coincide with Reeves’ budget announcements, debates over fiscal transparency and the watchdog’s role in overseeing government accountability are likely to grow. The report could add pressure to the Conservative party, which has implications for both government transparency and the independence of private financial institutions.
