Office for Budget Responsibility Forecasts Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Office for Budget Responsibility Forecasts

Sureena Brackenridge Excerpts
Monday 1st December 2025

(1 day, 6 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Murray Portrait James Murray
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I know that journalists from all publications need no encouragement to speculate on the contents of a Budget. Let me draw the right hon. Gentleman’s attention to my earlier remarks: this Government take the Budget process, and our responsibility to the House, very seriously.

Sureena Brackenridge Portrait Mrs Sureena Brackenridge (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab)
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Like other Members on both sides of the House—I hope—I am deeply concerned and shocked by the fact that the OBR has leaked not just the autumn Budget but previous fiscal events: it is hugely concerning. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Chancellor’s decision to more than double fiscal headroom has been welcomed by markets and will strengthen UK resilience?

James Murray Portrait James Murray
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My hon. Friend is entirely right to draw attention to the fact that not only doubling the headroom but getting it to £21.7 billion is a crucial step in strengthening the resilience of the UK economy and the public finances, helping to bring down Government borrowing and protect us from future shocks.