Overview
- Dame Meg Hillier said Rachel Reeves made a “glaring error” by signalling an income tax rise before reversing course.
- MPs have launched an inquiry to assess whether the OBR remains reliable and independent after its accidental early upload of Budget documents.
- Hillier warned the committee could withhold consent for the next OBR chair if the nominee lacks clear distance from the Treasury.
- OBR chair Richard Hughes has resigned over the publication error, with the Chancellor set to begin the search for his successor in the new year.
- Reeves denied authorising briefings about the U‑turn and ordered a leak inquiry, after telling MPs there were too many pre‑Budget leaks.