By Vivienne Russell
1 November 2010
MPs have approved the appointment of Stephen Nickell and Graham Parker to the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Nickell, an economist at Oxford University, and Parker, a former Treasury civil servant, will work with OBR chair Robert Chote as members of the Budget Responsibility Committee. Parker served on the interim BRC under Sir Alan Budd.
Confirming the appointments today, Treasury committee chair Andrew Tyrie said the committee was satisfied with both men’s professional competence and personal independence.
He said: ‘I congratulate both Professor Stephen Nickell and Graham Parker on their appointments. Both have been appointed after the welcome extension of the committee’s powers to very the appointment and dismissal of BRC members.’
Tyrie said that in this case the committee had fast-tracked the appointments to ensure the OBR is up and running as soon as possible.
‘In future, we will delay appointments to the BRC if we are given insufficient time by the Treasury to conduct such hearings,’ Tyrie added.
The chancellor has asked the OBR to publish its autumn forecast on November 29.
