independent.co.uk
Treasury Officials Accused of Breaking Law Over Budget Reporting
Treasury officials are accused of breaking the law by failing to report a black hole in public finances to the OBR, a claim that raises questions about the actions of Jeremy Hunt and other officials.
English
United Kingdom
PoliticsUkGovernmentFinanceBudgetLaw
Office Of Budget Responsibility (Obr)Commons Treasury Select CommitteeTreasuryDowning Street
Jeremy HuntRichard HughesRachel ReevesJames BowlerKeir Starmer
- What is the controversy surrounding the discrepancy in spending figures?
- The discrepancy in spending figures is a point of contention, with claims of a £22bn gap made by Rachel Reeves and the OBR suggesting a £9.5bn figure; this raises questions about actions of both Hunt and James Bowler.
- How did Downing Street respond to the accusations of withheld information?
- Downing Street's response emphasizes that while civil servants advise, ministers ultimately decide policy; therefore, the government accepted recommendations from the OBR to improve future processes.
- What accusation has been made against Treasury officials under Jeremy Hunt?
- The Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) claims that Treasury officials under Jeremy Hunt broke the law by failing to report a significant spending gap in the public finances.
- How did Jeremy Hunt respond to the accusations, and what did the OBR indicate?
- While Jeremy Hunt denies the existence of a black hole in public finances, the OBR's findings indicate a 'systemic failure' and possible 'misunderstanding' of the law concerning disclosures.
- What did the OBR chair, Richard Hughes, state before the Commons Treasury select committee?
- The OBR's chair, Richard Hughes, testified before the Commons Treasury select committee that the Treasury did not provide all the necessary information, leading to a materially different forecast.