Chancellor Rachel Reeves has described the accidental early publication of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s report as “deeply disappointing”, after the market-sensitive document appeared online ahead of her Budget statement.
Opening her remarks in the Commons, Reeves said the OBR had already taken “full responsibility” for the error. She stressed the government’s progress over the past 16 months in “rebuilding the economy”, citing new trade agreements and reforms to fiscal rules.
The OBR, while independent, works closely with the Treasury to produce forecasts used to assess whether the government is on track to meet its self-imposed economic rules. The early release prompted immediate concern among business leaders and cybersecurity experts.
Kenny MacAulay, CEO of accounting software platform Acting Office, said the incident represented a “staggering” breakdown in protocol.
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