Summary
We consider that personal independence and professional
competence are the criteria we should use in assessing the suitability
of the proposed Chair of the OBR. Personal independence is particularly
important in this post. The close association between the Government's
budget and the work done by the OBR means that the integrity and
independence of the Chair must be beyond question if the OBR is
to fulfil its purpose of increasing confidence in the statistics
produced by government, and the economic analyses underlying policy
decisions.
We consider it particularly important that the Chair
of the OBR should have the approval of the Committee. Involving
this Committee in the appointment process is a significant step
in ensuring that the preferred candidate is indeed independent.
We are satisfied that Robert Chote has the professional
competence and personal independence to be Chair of the OBR. We
wish him every success in his new role.
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