Government Performance against Fiscal Rules Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Government Performance against Fiscal Rules

Chi Onwurah Excerpts
Monday 7th July 2025

(1 day, 13 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chi Onwurah Portrait Dame Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West) (Lab)
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It is extraordinary that the Tories have recovered so quickly from their economic mismanagement that they feel able to stop apologising, and even to offer advice—if only the economic wellbeing of my constituents had recovered as quickly. Does the Chief Secretary to the Treasury agree with me that the Office for Budget Responsibility, like economists the world over, finds it easier to measure the economic consequences of funding cuts, such as the proposed cuts to disability benefits, than the economic consequences of investments, such as investing in people getting into work?

Darren Jones Portrait Darren Jones
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This is the first opportunity I have had to congratulate my hon. Friend on her recent damehood, which is very well deserved. She invites me to comment on the independent Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast methodology. Given its independence, I am afraid I will not to that, but I will point to the fact that in the last forecast, the OBR was able to forecast an increase in growth as a consequence of our reforms to the planning system, which we welcome very much.