understand Cabinet Secretary blocked publication of a completed civil service costings analysis of Labour Party policy.
- Chancellor announced publication to rest of Cabinet this morn
- Shadow Chancellor demanded it be pulled in morning meeting with Treasury top civil servant
- Chancellor announced publication to rest of Cabinet this morn
- Shadow Chancellor demanded it be pulled in morning meeting with Treasury top civil servant
Labour's legal team had written to complain about the "ethics and propriety" of the decision to involve the civil service in the costings so close to an election
Government sources point out that such analyses have been relatively routine ahead of recent elections and referenda (though there was no time for it in 2017 either)...
Opposition sources point out that they have repeatedly asked for the independent OBR to have this role for all parties, not civil servants working to Government Spad assumptions.
Also point out no assessment done on Johnson Brexit deal.
Also point out no assessment done on Johnson Brexit deal.
Bottom line - this document will not now be published by the Government. And ministers will not be able to claim their costings of Labour policy are "official"
