OBR denies being 'at war' with Treasury

THE Budget watchdog has denied being “at war” with the Treasury after the resignation of its boss.

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Richard Hughes quit as chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) after its assessment of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's plans was inadvertently made available online before she delivered her speech last Wednesday.

His resignation came with the relationship between the OBR and the Treasury under strain after a Budget process characterised by leaks and briefings about the state of the public finances.

Budget responsibility committee member Professor David Miles described the relationship with the Treasury as “very close” but hoped for a “smoother” process next year.