Ed Balls MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to evidence from Robert Chote, Chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility, at the Treasury Select Committee, said:

“I welcome Robert Chote’s support for the proposal to allow the Office for Budget Responsibility to audit spending and tax commitments in the manifestos of the main political parties. This could help to improve the quality of public debate at election time.

“If the political will is there by the early summer then, as Robert Chote says, it is still possible to make this reform happen before next year’s election.

“There is now growing cross-party support with the Chair of the Treasury select committee Andrew Tyrie backing the idea and Danny Alexander saying it is well worth considering.

“I urge the Chancellor to join this growing cross-party consensus. Let’s make this important reform happen in the forthcoming Finance Bill and get it legislated for well in advance of the general election.”