Members of Parliament have cautioned against holding the UK's budget watchdog responsible for the country’s challenging financial decisions and have dismissed demands for major changes to its structure, according to a recent report by a parliamentary committee. The Commons Treasury Committee stressed the importance of maintaining the independence of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), as Chancellor John Healey prepares to deliver his upcoming Budget. The committee noted that calls to restructure the OBR are often motivated by a desire for more spending flexibility, which it described as a "poor substitute" for solid economic planning. Committee chairwoman and Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier pointed out that some policymakers and commentators mistakenly portray the OBR as having "dark powers" and an excessive influence over Treasury ministers. She clarified that the significance of the OBR's forecasts stems from the government's own financial limitations, not from any overreach by the watchdog. Hillier acknowledged that there is value in considering the long-term impacts of government policies and the potential future state of the economy, even though such projections are inherently uncertain. She emphasized the need to protect the OBR's independent role in economic discussions rather than weakening it. The committee recommended that the OBR provide an additional 10-year forecast, in addition to its current five-year forecasts for the Budget and spring statement. This proposal was supported by Professor Douglas Elmendorf, a former director of the US Congressional Budget Office, who argued that such long-term forecasts could help demonstrate when investments might lead to positive outcomes over time. The committee made it clear that the 10-year forecast would not interfere with the government’s current fiscal rules, which will continue to be based on the five-year forecast. Additionally, the committee urged the government to allow time in Parliament for MPs to debate the OBR’s Fiscal Risks and Sustainability report, which includes 50-year forecasts. The government is expected to respond to the committee's recommendations within the next two months.