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OBR Chief Apologizes for Early Budget Leak, Pledges to Accept Inquiry’s Findings

An internal probe will report to oversight bodies, with the chancellor expressing confidence in Richard Hughes.

Overview

  • Richard Hughes said a link to the fiscal outlook went live on the OBR website roughly 40 minutes before the budget speech due to a technical error.
  • The OBR has launched an investigation that will report to its oversight board, HM Treasury and the Commons Treasury Committee.
  • Hughes did not rule out resigning and said he would accept the inquiry’s recommendations, serving only with the confidence of the chancellor and the Treasury Committee.
  • Chancellor Rachel Reeves called the leak a serious error but said she still has confidence in the OBR chair.
  • The Daily Mirror said it obtained 36 related documents, and MPs warned the disclosure involved market‑sensitive material while recalling the scale of the 1996 budget leak.