How Rachel Reeves’s budget was leaked 40 minutes early

By the time the chancellor reached the dispatch box, the OBR had accidentally published its verdict in full online

• At a glance: the key points from the budget

Shortly before midday on Wednesday, a series of headlines about Rachel Reeves's budget began appearing on the Reuters newswire, sending instant ripples though financial markets.

The details were jaw-dropping: they appeared to spell out the key policies of the chancellor's budget more than 40 minutes before she was due to deliver them to a crowded Commons chamber.