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The Bunker – News without the nonsense

What is The OBR anyway? – Understanding Britain’s under fire fiscal watchdog

The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Podmasters

News, Government, Politics, Society & Culture

4.61K Ratings

🗓️ 4 December 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The Office for Budget Responsibility is supposed to be the calm, quiet body that keeps watch over Britain’s public finances. But after it accidentally released its Budget analysis before Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her statement, its chair Richard Hughes resigned and the watchdog suddenly became the lead story. Today on The Bunker, Seth Thévoz is joined by economist and former Treasury adviser Giles Wilkes to ask: what exactly is the OBR, and why does this low-profile institution hold so much power over the UK economy?   • Head to nakedwines.co.uk/thebunker to get 6 top-rated wines from our sponsor Naked Wines for £39.99, delivery included. www.patreon.com/bunkercast  Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bunkerpod.bsky.social  • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more. Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio producer: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Design by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:30.1

Hello, it's Andrew Harrison here.

0:31.6

And it's Alex von Tundselman.

0:33.0

Today's episode is brought to you by naked wines.

0:36.1

Alex, buying wines.

0:58.8

Have you ever bought a bottle because it costs 12 quid, but it looks like it costs 20 quid? Well, whenever I can find one. It can be confusing, can't it? You find yourself sort of grasping up whatever's on the shelf, hoping for the best. What do you sense to like to drink yourself? Well, I generally drink white wine, but I mean, I like all wines. I didn't get this way by having favour, Sandry. Well, I'm the male stereotype. I like reds that are bangers, reds that are chewy.

1:07.9

It's a bit of kind of roulette, isn't it? You never quite know what you're going to get. You know, I just don't know it at all. I mean, I am pretty ignorant about it. I have to say, I know what I like, but I don't always know how to find it.

1:08.5

There you go.

1:13.1

Well, the good thing about naked wines is they'll help guide you towards wines that you will really like.

1:13.1

And you can try new stuff. I don't always know how to find it. There you go. Well, the good thing about Naked Wines is they'll help guide you towards wines that you will really like.

1:28.4

And you can try new stuff without the risk because if you don't like a bottle, you don't pay for it. Oh, okay. Yeah, you let them know and they credit your account. So you can try something else next time, zero risk. Naked wines is the best way to get great wine without the faf and to discover

1:29.4

fantastic new flavours without the wine snobbery. Does this sound up your straight, Alex?

1:34.2

Sounds a very good idea because I am terrible being a wine snob, I'm quite clearly just winging it.

1:39.9

Well, luckily, we have got an offer for listeners as well. If you go to Nakedwines.com.uker, you can get a £30 voucher and six top-rated wines, reds, whites, a mix, whatever you like, all for just £39.99p, including delivery. That is a mere £6.67p a bottle. And anything you don't like, just tell them, you'll get credit to use on your next order. And you can't do that at the off-eat the top of the road, can you? Despite me trying. So that's a £30, Nakedwines voucher at nakedwines.com.uk slash bunker or follow the link in the show notes. Terms and conditions apply. Cheers, Alex. Cheers, Andrew. 300 sensors.

2:18.8

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2:22.3

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2:26.5

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