Friday briefing: After ​constant leak​s and ​a resignation​, is the OBR ​still ​fit for ​purpose?

In today’s newsletter: ​Critics say the OBR’s growing influence has outpaced its accountability​, raising questions about whether it serves the public, the Treasury, or the markets

Explaining UK debt with biscuits: Labour MPs get the hang of viral content

Gordon McKee, whose explainer has racked up 3m views, leads way as party tries to harness power of social media

Rachel Reeves will not be investigated over pre-budget briefing, FCA says

Regulator leaves door open for follow-up as it rejects calls for formal inquiry into claims against Treasury officials

Crypto investor gives £9m to Reform UK as donations exceed those to Tories

Christopher Harborne’s record gift revealed in Electoral Commission figures prompts renewed calls for cap on political donations

UK’s small brewers call for chancellor to think again on business rates

Trade group tells Rachel Reeves her property tax changes threaten the survival of community pubs

Is the UK economy really as bad as we think it is? Here is the truth of the matter

From income to home ownership and public services, everybody is disgruntled – but for different reasons, says economist Jonathan Swarbrick

Water plant that caused Tunbridge Wells supply failure was given risk notice in 2024

Watchdog investigating South East Water contamination issue had previously warned of potential health danger

Help to cut baby formula costs could save parents up to £500, Starmer says

Ministers accept watchdog’s recommendations on how to help people avoid spending more on formula than needed

Tesla privately warned UK that weakening EV rules would hit sales

Elon Musk-owned electric carmaker also called for support for the secondhand market, documents reveal

Fear of facing the future has British politics stuck in the past

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves claim to be dealing with the world as it is, but seem to yearn for a world that has disappeared, says the Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

Key aide to Nigel Farage was frontman for Premier League billionaire’s betting syndicate, lawsuit claims

Exclusive: George Cottrell ‘gave control’ of gambling accounts to syndicate headed by Tony Bloom, the owner of Brighton & Hove Albion FC

OBR chief’s exit may ease pressure on Rachel Reeves but the battle isn’t over

With the row deepening over budget leaks, who is most likely to replace Richard Hughes in the increasingly thankless role of chair?

MPs launch inquiry into Andrew’s lease arrangements at Royal Lodge – as it happened

Justice secretary expected to pull back from plans to reserve jury trials from only the most serious cases

OBR complained to Treasury before budget about leaks spreading ‘misconceptions’

Official tells MPs there was lots of information appearing in the press that ‘wasn’t particularly helpful’

The most misleading thing about Rachel Reeves’s budget? Who it was really for

Labour backbenchers have been cheering it as a win for the most vulnerable in society. In fact it was aimed at the bond markets, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty