Office for Budget Responsibility Forecasts Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateSureena Brackenridge
Main Page: Sureena Brackenridge (Labour - Wolverhampton North East)Department Debates - View all Sureena Brackenridge's debates with the HM Treasury
(1 day, 6 hours ago)
Commons ChamberI 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.
Mrs Sureena Brackenridge (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab)
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?
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.