Category Archive: What’s new

The budget deficit continues to rise sharply. Three months into the 2020-21 fiscal year, tax payments received by HMRC are down by 35 per cent on last year, while central government spending is up 40 per cent. But year-to-date borrowing is lower than assumed in the central scenario from our Fiscal sustainability report. That reflects…

In June, the Chancellor nominated Richard Hughes as the next Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility when Robert Chote ends his final term in October. The Treasury Select Committee has now confirmed the appointment. Find out more on the Treasury Select Committee’s website.

Robert Chote distils the key messages from our latest Fiscal sustainability report in his press conference presentation and accompanying speaking note.

The coronavirus outbreak and the public health measures taken to contain it have delivered one of the largest ever shocks to the UK economy and public finances. In the Fiscal sustainability report, our three medium-term scenarios (upside, central and downside) see the largest decline in annual GDP for 300 years this year, accompanied by an unprecedented…

On July 14 we will publish our latest Fiscal sustainability report, focusing on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. This will present three alternative scenarios for the economy and the public finances over the medium-term, an assessment of their implications for fiscal sustainability and a discussion of fiscal risks over the medium and long-term. The…

May’s public finances data continue to show the budget deficit rising sharply. Two months into 2020-21, tax payments received by HMRC are down 43 per cent on the same period last year, while central government spending is up 48 per cent. Relative to our April scenario, initial estimates of both GDP and tax receipts have…

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that Sir Chris Kelly has been re-appointed as a non-executive member of the OBR and Oversight Board chair. Sir Christopher Kelly said: “I am delighted to be re-appointed as the Chair of the Oversight Board of the Office for Budget Responsibility. The role of the OBR is as…

The Chancellor has nominated Richard Hughes as the next Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility when Robert Chote ends his final term in October. The appointment is subject to approval from the TSC. Robert Chote commented: “I am delighted that the Chancellor has nominated Richard Hughes to succeed me as Chairman of the OBR…

April’s public finances data provide an initial taste of the fiscal hit from the coronavirus lockdown and Government support for individuals and businesses. Tax payments received by HMRC were down 42 per cent on the same month last year, while central government spending jumped 52 per cent. As a result, the budget deficit was the…

Robert Chote thanks the OBR’s staff, alumni, contributors and stakeholders in a video on its 10th anniversary. Robert Chote thanks the OBR’s staff, alumni, contributors and stakeholders on its 10th anniversary 🎂#10yearsofOBR pic.twitter.com/hf5Mr5eaq0 — Office for Budget Responsibility (@OBR_UK) May 14, 2020