MP: Treasury May Have Violated Law Before March Budget

The Treasury has come under fire for allegedly breaking the law by failing to disclose a £9.5bn overspend leading up to the previous government’s Budget, according to statements made by Meg Hillier, the chair of the Treasury committee.

During a hearing with Richard Hughes, the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), it was revealed that the overspend, which should have been disclosed under the law, formed the basis of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ claim that the Conservatives left Labour with a £22bn deficit in public finances.

Last week, the OBR stated that the previous government did not provide all available information during former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s last budget in March, sparking a political dispute over the true state of the finances inherited by Labour in July.

Richard Hughes admitted that a breakdown in the system led to the £9.5bn shortfall not being disclosed, but assured that measures have been implemented to prevent such failures in the future.

• The OBR collaborates closely with the Treasury to evaluate government spending plans and economic forecasts.
• The failure to disclose the overspend may have influenced the OBR’s assessments and forecasts.

Meg Hillier suggested that the Treasury might have violated the law by withholding crucial spending information before the Spring Budget, prompting further scrutiny of the government’s transparency.

Shadow Chancellor Jeremy Hunt criticized the OBR for releasing its findings about the overspend on the day of the Budget, alleging a lack of political neutrality and accusing the watchdog of aiding Labour’s tax policies.

Hunt raised concerns about the impact of the undisclosed overspend on public finances and the potential need for compensatory measures.

The OBR revealed that workers will bear the brunt of the forthcoming increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, with three-quarters of the impact expected to affect employees directly.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a rise in employers’ NI rates, leading to concerns about reduced pay rises and hiring as businesses cope with higher wage bills.

• Prof David Miles from the OBR suggested that lower-paid workers would be disproportionately affected by the NI changes.
• While employers may experience lower profits, workers are likely to face reduced wages as a result of the tax hike.

The decision to raise NI contributions has sparked debates over Labour’s promise not to increase taxes on working people, with critics arguing that the move contradicts this pledge.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended the tax hike on employers, emphasizing the need to stabilize public finances and address economic challenges.

Businesses, including healthcare providers like GPs, have expressed concerns about the potential impact on services and operations due to increased NI contributions.