Treasury ‘putting the squeeze’ on OBR over Labour growth plans amid tensions over downgrade

Rachel Reeves may have to find up to 30bn in tax rises or spending cuts if forecaster revisits expectations

Treasury policymakers frustrated by the politically damaging timing of a downgrade to UK productivity forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) are pressing the watchdog to score the benefits of Labour's pro-growth plans.

Rachel Reeves faces the prospect of having to find up to 30bn in tax rises or spending cuts in her 26 November budget if, as expected, the OBR cuts its forecast for future productivity growth to match the consensus of other experts.