27/01/2023
Multi-billion pound hole discovered in Britain's finances
OBR reportedly plans to revise growth forecasts and warns Jeremy Hunt to expect a bleaker economic future.
The government’s spending watchdog has warned the country is facing a multi-billion pound hole ahead of the Budget in March.
In his Autumn statement, the Chancellor had announced the Office for Budget Responsibility predicted global economic growth would fall by 1.4pc this year before rising again over three years, by 1.3 per cent, 2.6 per cent, and then 2.7 per cent.
But in a new submission to the Treasury, seen by The Times, the OBR has privately warned Jeremy Hunt to expect a bleaker economic future. It plans to revise growth forecasts down by between 0.2 and 0.5 per cent.
Sources said the revision was necessary due to weakness in the economy and labour-market shortages.
The revelation came as senior Conservative MPs were privately calling for the Chancellor to cut taxes after a year in which households and businesses forked out 10 per cent more than usual.
Britons have paid an average of £821 more to the Treasury this financial year, according to HM Revenue and Customs statistics analysed for the Telegraph. Despite the Exchequer taking in £553bn between April and December, forecasters reportedly warned that the government does not actually have scope for spending announcements and on March 15 may have to tighten purse strings further than previously expected.
OBR reportedly plans to revise growth forecasts and warns Jeremy Hunt to expect a bleaker economic future