OBR rebukes Cameron over misleading austerity claims

The Office for Budget Responsibility has rebuked David Cameron over his claim austerity is not to blame for the UK's sluggish economy.

OBR chair Robert Chote has written to the Prime Minister regarding comments made in a speech yesterday (7 March) which appeared to contradict the OBR's official position on austerity measures. Cameron (pictured) said yesterday the watchdog is "absolutely clear that the deficit reduction plans is not responsible [for depressed UK growth rates]; in fact, quite the opposite." In response, Chote said the OBR has factored lower growth into its forecasts as a result of tax increases and spending cuts. "For avoidance of doubt, I think it is important to point out that every forecast publi...