BBC Newsnight presenter Victoria Derbyshire expressed clear frustration during an intense exchange with senior Tory frontbencher Nigel Huddleston. The clash came as Derbyshire questioned why the previous government did not share crucial spending details with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
Tense budget discussion on Newsnight
Derbyshire pressed Huddleston repeatedly about why the Conservative government withheld £9.5 billion worth of spending plans from the OBR. This questioning followed an OBR statement confirming that the government did not disclose significant spending commitments, which could have impacted its budget assessment.
Derbyshire challenges Huddleston
Reading the OBR’s statement, Derbyshire said: “‘Had this information been made available, we would have reached a materially different judgement’ about your government’s spending. You didn’t make it available.”
Huddleston defended the government, stating that there had been “a public announcement” regarding compensation for those affected by the infected blood scandal. He added, “This is in the context of government spending of £1.2 trillion.”
Presenter’s frustration evident
Derbyshire, visibly frustrated, responded, “It’s not the point. No, no, no.” Huddleston spoke over her, arguing that the £9.5 billion figure was relatively small compared to overall government spending.
Derbyshire pushed back, saying, “You are ignoring the words of the OBR today. You did not make certain information available to them. Why?”
Huddleston insisted, “Government can’t work like that. We made an announcement with a clear intention to include it in future fiscal events.”
Trust questioned
Derbyshire then asked, “Who do you think people watching will believe? The independent fiscal watchdog, the OBR, or the Conservative government who had a crushing defeat in July?” Huddleston responded, “I think in the context of the Budget today, people will believe us over Labour because they have lied to the British public.”
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