Who created the Office for Budget Responsibility?

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was established to provide independent analysis of the UK's public finances. It was created in June 2010 as a part of the government's response to the global financial crisis and is responsible for producing the Treasury's forecasts for the economy and public finances.

George Osborne, who was the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time, played a pivotal role in the establishment of the OBR. He aimed to enhance the credibility and transparency of the UK government's fiscal policy by ensuring that economic forecasts and assessments of public finance were conducted by an independent body rather than the Treasury itself. This move was significant in promoting accountability and providing Parliament and the public with a clearer understanding of the economic situation.

In contrast, David Cameron served as the Prime Minister during the inception of the OBR and supported its creation, but it was Osborne's leadership and vision as Chancellor that directly led to its establishment. Theresa May and Rishi Sunak, who came into their roles later, were not involved in creating the OBR. Their focus was on maintaining or adapting fiscal policies within the framework set by earlier governments, including the work initiated by Osborne.