Wed, 18 Feb 2026

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 Reform plans to keep UK's budget watchdog

Robert Jenrick will promise to reform the OBR, rather than abolish it, in a move to reassure financial markets.

* Reform UK will retain the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) if they win the next general election, rather than abolish it as previously suggested.
* Robert Jenrick, the party's economic spokesman, has announced plans to reform the OBR, not scrap it, in an effort to reassure financial markets and business.
* The OBR is responsible for assessing the health of the UK's economy and government spending plans, and its independence will be maintained.
* Reform UK had previously suggested that the OBR was too powerful and had "dictated" to elected politicians, but Jenrick has said that his party would be happy to have its policies scrutinized by the OBR.
* The party also plans to reform the Bank of England, defending its independence while criticizing its handling of inflation.
* Robert Jenrick's speech is seen as an attempt to strengthen Reform UK's credibility on economic policy, following concerns about their previous proposals.
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