Chote backs proposals to scrutinise opposition policies

Robert Chote, chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility, has backed proposals that could see his body scrutinise spending commitments made by parties in the run-up to elections. However, PAC chair Margaret Hodge has questioned the OBR’s independence.


By CivilServiceWorld

15 Oct 2013

The comments were made during an event held by Policy@Manchester last week.

Chote said: “Personally, I think having independent scrutiny of opposition policies is a jolly good idea in principle”. It would be “better for the parties, for policy development and for public debate,” he said, adding that “the Dutch have found it helps in pulling together coalition agreements”. But he said that implementing the policy would require Parliamentary approval, and parties would need to publish manifestos far earlier than at present.

Hodge said: “[Chote] is located in the Treasury, so much as he likes to feel like he is independent, for us sitting there watching it, it doesn’t feel desperately independent.”

Read the most recent articles written by CivilServiceWorld - Bid to block whistleblower’s access to ministers

Share this page