The head of Britain’s fiscal watchdog has resigned following an investigation into how analysis of the Chancellor’s Budget was released early.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) mistakenly published its analysis of Rachel Reeves’ statement, where she announced £26 billion of tax rises, before she had delivered it in the House of Commons last Wednesday.

OBR chief Richard Hughes came under fire over the fiasco and on Monday confirmed he would step down.

In a letter to the Chancellor and Treasury Select Committee, he said: "The inadvertent early dissemination of our economic and fiscal outlook on 26 November was a technical but serious error.”

He added: “I am certain the OBR can quickly regain and restore the confidence and esteem that it has earned through 15 years of rigoro

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