The OBR accidentally leaked its 2025 Budget forecast, causing political and market turmoil.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) accidentally released its fiscal forecast ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ November 26, 2025, Budget speech, causing widespread disruption. The leak, attributed to a "technical error," revealed plans to scrap the two-child benefit cap, freeze the income tax threshold until 2030-31, and implement new taxes, sparking market volatility and criticism from politicians across parties. Reeves called the release "deeply disappointing," while opposition leaders condemned the breach of protocol, with some suggesting possible criminality. The OBR apologized, removed the report, and launched an investigation, raising concerns about transparency, fiscal integrity, and the watchdog’s reliability.