"The Treasury has launched an inquiry into autumn budget leaks after a chaotic build-up to Rachel Reeves's economic statement last week. The Treasury minister James Murray said the department's permanent secretary, James Bowler, would review security processes to inform future events. The government put the utmost weight on budget security, including the prevention of leaks of information, Murray said on Wednesday."
"It comes after major policies such as a freeze on income tax thresholds, a pay-per-mile levy on electric vehicles and a tourist tax were reported by the media before the budget on 26 November. The Conservatives have claimed the leaks were unprecedented and part of an effort by Reeves to manipulate public opinion. The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said at prime minister's questions yesterday: If she was a CEO, she would have been fired and might even have been prosecuted for market abuse."
"The speaker of the house, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, also criticised the leaks, calling it the hokey-cokey budget and said policy should be announced first to the House of Commons. The chair of the Treasury select committee, Meg Hillier, said: Leak inquiries have a habit of not finding someone responsible. But if somebody is found responsible, will they follow the lead set by Richard Hughes?"
The Treasury has launched an inquiry into leaks that preceded the autumn budget and created a chaotic build-up to Rachel Reeves's economic statement. Treasury minister James Murray said permanent secretary James Bowler will review security processes to inform future events. The government emphasised the utmost importance of budget security and leak prevention, with the inquiry supported by the chancellor and Treasury team. Major policies including a freeze on income tax thresholds, a pay-per-mile levy on electric vehicles and a tourist tax were reported before the 26 November budget. Conservatives called the leaks unprecedented and accused Reeves of manipulating public opinion. The OBR also raised complaints and its chair resigned after premature publication of a document.
#autumn-budget-leaks #treasury-security-review #office-for-budget-responsibility #political-reaction
Read at www.theguardian.com
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