UK government under pressure to publish forecasts after budget scrapped

Chancellor Sajid Javid accused of trying to hide worsening growth outlook and neglecting duty to publish OBR reports

The UK government is coming under mounting pressure to publish economic forecasts after scrapping its plan to hold an early November budget, as Boris Johnson pushes for a snap election before Christmas.

In a development that effectively blocks the release of the forecasts, the chancellor, Sajid Javid, confirmed on Friday he would not deliver his set piece tax and spending event on 6 November as planned. It comes as the government refuses to carry out a detailed impact assessment of its Brexit deal.

The Office for Budget Responsibility is the government's independent forecaster, which gives its verdict on the outlook for growth and the public finances twice a year.