Critics of UK government’s economic forecaster are ‘shooting the messenger’, say MPs
Summary
A UK parliamentary committee defended the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the government’s independent economic forecaster, against widespread criticism. The committee advised keeping the OBR’s role unchanged but suggested adding a 10-year forecast and more parliamentary debate on long-term fiscal risks.Key Facts
- The Treasury committee said attacking the OBR is like "shooting the messenger" because the OBR provides impartial economic forecasts.
- They opposed calls to radically change the OBR’s structure or role.
- MPs recommended adding a 10-year economic forecast alongside the current 5- and 50-year forecasts.
- Parliament should discuss the OBR's annual report on fiscal risks and the long-term outlook for public finances.
- The OBR was created in 2010 to give independent economic growth forecasts and assess the impact of government tax and spending.
- Critics say the OBR sometimes underestimates or overestimates economic growth and that its forecasts heavily influence government spending limits.
- A former OBR chair resigned in December 2025 after a budget assessment leak.
- The committee chair urged the government to protect the OBR’s independence while considering longer-term economic planning.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
