Story perspectives

OBR-Government Relations Sour Amid Budget Document Scandal

12/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and the government have deteriorated relations.
The deterioration followed the early release of Budget documents, which the Treasury labeled a serious breach of sensitive information.
Tensions arose from the OBR's decision to downgrade its long-term economic productivity assessment.
Questions have emerged about whether the Chancellor influenced Richard Hughes, leading to Hughes's resignation, and government sources say Hughes made the decision alone.

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Story summary

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and the government have deteriorated relations.
The deterioration followed the early release of Budget documents, which the Treasury labeled a serious breach of sensitive information.
Tensions arose from the OBR's decision to downgrade its long-term economic productivity assessment.
Questions have emerged about whether the Chancellor influenced Richard Hughes, leading to Hughes's resignation, and government sources say Hughes made the decision alone.