OBR a backseat driver with out-of-date maps, thinktanks tell Rachel Reeves

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Heather StewartMarch 1, 2026 at 09:00 PM

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Ahead of the UK Chancellor's spring forecast, a coalition of think tanks is urging Rachel Reeves to reform the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The group, including Progress, the New Economics Foundation, and the Women’s Budget Group, argues the OBR's current framework hinders public investment and long-term planning. They believe the OBR focuses too much on short-term costs and not enough on the potential benefits of government investment. The think tanks suggest the OBR's pass-fail verdicts on fiscal rules lead to hasty policy decisions. While Reeves has already asked the OBR to deliver its verdict on fiscal rules annually, the think tanks are calling for more extensive reforms.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Common Wealth 40% George Osborne 40% Louisa Dollimore 40% Hannah Peaker 40% Adam Langleben 40% Progress ×250% Institute for Fiscal Studies 50% Keir Starmer 60% New Economics Foundation ×265% Labour Party ×270% Office for Budget Responsibility ×585% Rachel Reeves ×490%

Keywords

office for budget responsibility 90% public investment 80% thinktanks 70% fiscal rules 70% rachel reeves 70% long-term planning 60% fiscal stability 60% economic recovery 50% austerity 40%

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Negative

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The Guardian - World News

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90%

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office for budget responsibility public investment thinktanks fiscal rules rachel reeves long-term planning fiscal stability economic recovery austerity

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