Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

OBR Growth Projections: Departmental Spending

Tuesday 10 March 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister asserts the Chancellor's economic plan has positively impacted inflation, borrowing, debt, and debt interest payments.
  • Response indicates a 50 billion increase in spending by 2028-29 compared to previous government plans.
  • Minister challenges Richard Fuller's credibility regarding comments on public spending cuts versus tax increases.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Glen Con Salisbury
Economy
Context

The question addresses the potential impact of the OBR's growth projections for 2026 on future departmental spending levels.

Question

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Office for Budget Responsibility's growth projections for 2026 on future departmental spending levels.

Answer from James Murray

At the spring forecast last week, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor showed that we have the right economic plan. Our plan has lowered inflation, borrowing, debt and debt interest payments. Our approach means that investment is up, helping to create the conditions for growth across the UK. Our firm approach to public spending is helping to keep public finances on a sustainable path.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The potential impact of the OBR's growth projections on future departmental spending levels was not directly addressed.

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Q2 John Glen Con Salisbury
Economy
Context

The Chancellor has pencilled in 0.3% real-terms growth in public spending in 2029-30, with health spending at its historical average, special educational needs and disabilities spend as per proposals, and defence at 3%. This leaves a 2.5% real-terms cut in unprotected Departments amounting to £13 billion.

Question

Given the Chancellor's plans for public spending and the allocation to various departments, what plans do the Chancellor and Chief Secretary to the Treasury have to address the £13 billion gap in the 2029-30 envelope?

Answer from James Murray

If the right hon. Gentleman looks at the plans that we set out through our spending review, he will be clear that we are increasing spending by £50 billion a year by 2028-29 compared with the previous Government's plans. At the same time, we are ensuring that taxpayers get value for money. We are making £3.9 billion of efficiency savings by 2029-30, rising to £5 billion by 2030-31.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The £13 billion gap specifically

How: We Are Increasing Spending By £50 Billion A Year By 2028-29 Compared With The Previous Government'S Plans, £3.9 Billion Of Efficiency Savings By 2029-30, Rising To £5 Billion By 2030-31

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Q3 Richard Fuller Con North Bedfordshire
Economy
Context

The Government's spending plans are contingent upon several unlikely conditions: no further economic growth downgrade, no need for significant energy support, and obtaining £4.8 billion in salary sacrifice revenues by 2029-30, which the industry views as unrealistic.

Question

Given the uncertain economic outlook and the likelihood of these conditions not being met, will the Minister prioritise cuts in public spending over tax increases if the spending plans start to fall apart?

Answer from James Murray

I will give the hon. Gentleman an “if”. If he were honest and remembered his time in Liz Truss's Government, he might not have the gall to make comments like that across the Dispatch Box—

Not addressed: The prioritisation of cuts in public spending over tax increases

How: If He Were Honest And Remembered His Time In Liz Truss'S Government, He Might Not Have The Gall To Make Comments Like That Across The Dispatch Box

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