Osborne offers MPs veto on new head of the OBR
THE government started the search for the new head of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) yesterday – but it remains to be seen how many applicants will put their name forward to head up the controversial department.
Chancellor Osborne is desperate to draw a line under the independence debacle surrounding the OBR, which was accused of bowing to government pressure to rush through revised figures for how many jobs will be lost as a result of the Budget.
Osborne has even pledged to allow MPs to veto his choice to fill the £142,000-a-year role.
It is also proposed that the OBR move out of its office at the Treasury and appoint a dedicated secretariat.
The successful candidate will replace Sir Alan Budd, who will step down next month after a torrid few weeks at the organisation.
Robert Chote, head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, is expected to apply for the position.
He was unavailable for comment yesterday.