Robert Chote, currently the Director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS), have been appointed as the new Head of Office of Budget Responsibility, subject to Parliamentary approval. The Chancellor George Osborne announced his appointment yesterday.

 

The IFS is widely recognised as one of the most respected independent institutions conducting economic analysis which had recently claimed that the coalition government's first budget was regressive with lowest paid in society being the worst affected.  The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg rejected the IFS findings and claimed that the institute was being "partial".

The Chancellor while announcing the appointment said Mr. Chote's experience and suitability for heading the OBR was "beyond doubt" and hoped that the Treasury select Committee would approve his appointment.  The OBR was created in May by the coalition Government with an aim to stop ministers manipulating fiscal data and forecasts for political purposes.

Mr. Chote was "delighted" to have been nominated by the Government and pledged to serve "without fear or favour" if his appointment was approved by the Parliament.