UK Budget Watchdog Chief Resigns After Leak Inquiry

The chairman of Britain's independent fiscal watchdog has resigned after an inquiry found serious failures in handling a sensitive government budget. Richard Hughes stepped down as head of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). His resignation follows a critical report about a leak of confidential budget information last autumn. The OBR provides independent economic forecasts that guide government tax and spending decisions. An investigation found that an OBR official shared market-sensitive data with a news agency before the official budget announcement. The report concluded the watchdog's internal controls were "not sufficiently robust" to prevent the leak. The Treasury has accepted Hughes's resignation. It stated that maintaining the integrity of the budget process is of paramount importance. A search for a new OBR chair will begin immediately. The OBR said it has already implemented stricter procedures to protect confidential information. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to independent and transparent economic forecasting.