Office for Budget Responsibility Head Resigns After Inquiry into Premature Budget Release
The chair of the OBR, has resigned following the findings of an rapid investigation regarding how the budget office inadvertently published Treasury chief the government's budget ahead of schedule.
The Inquiry and Response
Last week, Hughes formally apologized to Rachel Reeves and to Meg Hillier following the OBR uploaded its documents outlining the spending plan prior to the chancellor's address began last week.
To conduct a speedy investigation, Hughes enlisted the former head of the National Cyber Security Centre, with oversight from the independent members of the OBR’s oversight board.
“I need to play my part in enabling the organisation that I have loved leading for the past five years to quickly move on from this regrettable incident.”
Taking Responsibility
Hughes's departure followed comments from Chancellor Reeves expressing confidence in his leadership.
However, in a subsequent letter addressed to both the chancellor and the committee chair, Hughes wrote: “I have, therefore, decided it is in the best interest of the OBR for me to resign as its Chair and take full responsibility for the shortcomings identified in the report.”
This decision highlights the gravity with which the watchdog is treating the procedural breach that resulted in the early release of sensitive government documents.
More information will follow in due course.
