MPs to get final say on Budget office chief

MPs are to be given unprecedented power to choose the next head of Chancellor George Osborne's new economic forecasting watchdog.

In a move to shore up the credibility of the Office for Budget Responsibility after claims of political interference, Mr Osborne said he wanted to ensure his choice of its next chairman had clear cross-party support.

"I want there to be absolutely no doubt that this is an independent body, that this person has the support and approval of the Treasury select committee," he said.

It follows a series of major blows to the OBR's image in recent weeks, which coincided with founding chairman Sir Alan Budd announcing that he was leaving at the end of a three-month contract.

The cross-party committee will now carry out a US-style confirmation hearing into Sir Alan's successor.