Probe into pre-budget leaks ‘underway’ as Rachel Reeves’s underfire | Politics | News
A Treasury minister said a leak investigation into how parts of the Budget were presented to the media ahead of the November 26 announcement was continuing “with the full support of the Chancellor”. Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray told the House of Commons that the inquiry, led by James Bowler, permanent secretary to the Treasury, would review “security processes to inform future financial events”.
Rachel Reeves has come under criticism after a number of key policies in the tax increase budget were leaked to the press in advance.
These included briefings that the Chancellor could increase the main rate of income tax.
Later leaks suggested that this tax increase would no longer proceed due to improved forecasts; House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle branded it a “hockey-coke budget” as he criticized media briefings.
The leaks were added to the unprecedented early release of a document on the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) economic and fiscal outlook, providing an analysis of all Budget policies, in the hours before the Budget last week.
The watchdog’s chairman, Richard Hughes, resigned on Monday over the mistaken release.
Answering an urgent question in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Mr Murray paid tribute to the outgoing OBR chief and said the Government would “work closely with the OBR to ensure robust safety arrangements are in place ahead of the spring forecast and for all future forecasts”.
He added: “The permanent secretary to the Treasury will review the Treasury’s security processes to inform future financial events.
“As I said in this mailbox yesterday when closing the Budget debate, the Government has placed maximum emphasis on Budget security, including the prevention of information leaks.
“A leak investigation is currently underway with the full support of the Chancellor and the entire Treasury team.”
Mr Murray also sought to rebut claims that ministers were unhappy with the OBR as a letter sent to MPs’ Treasury Committee last week added to claims that Ms Reeves was “misleading” voters about the state of the public finances.
In an unusual step, the Watchdog has decided to go into more detail about the timing of the preemptive forecasts, which suggests the Chancellor was aware of the small forecast surplus when he made his speech on 4 November.
Mr Murray told the House of Commons: “There has also been speculation in the press today about the letter the OBR sent to the Treasury Committee last Friday, which I want to address openly.
“The chancellor was aware of this letter and was pleased that it was published and agreed with the permanent secretary.”
Elsewhere Mr Murray said the Treasury leak The investigation could lead to new resignations.
Dame Meg Hillier, Labor chair of the Treasury Committee, told MPs: “Leak There is a habit of not being able to find anyone responsible in investigations.
“But if someone is found responsible, will he follow the path set by Richard Hughes?”
Mr Murray said he would not “speculate on the outcome”. leak investigation,” he said, adding: “The Government takes our obligations to this House very seriously, and last week we produced a Budget for the British people that meets our priorities.”
