OBR head's resignation leaves potential landmines for Reeves:
Chancellor's next mission to find a respected and credible economist to run the OBR will require ...
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyvnnz5842o
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Post-Resignation Challenges for UK Budget OfficeRichard Hughes resigned in October 2025 after an early Budget info leak, prompting a sensitive leadership replacement process.
- Richard Hughes resigned abruptly following an accidental early release of Budget information.
- Rachel Reeves faces the task of appointing an independent and reputable economist to lead the OBR.
- Political pressures risk undermining the OBR's independence, potentially affecting market trust and borrowing costs.
- Despite procedural changes, the OBR will continue to produce biannual forecasts, with government responses limited to once yearly.
The powers given to us are those given to us by Parliament in an Act of Parliament, and that's to produce a forecast. Chancellors set their own targets. They set their own policies.— Richard Hughes discussing the independence and responsibilities of the OBR.
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