Robert Chote to head Office for Budget Responsibility

Economist and former journalist Robert Chote is to become the new head of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Mr Chote, who currently works for the Institute for Fiscal Studies, will succeed Sir Alan Budd who stepped down from the post last month.

Chancellor George Osborne established the OBR in May to provide analysis of the public finances, government borrowing and other economic data.

He has defended the body against critics who question its independence.

Mr Chote, a former Financial Times journalist, is currently a director of the IFS - a think tank which has become widely respected for its economic analysis.

The IFS said last month that the coalition's government's first Budget was "regressive" and the lowest paid would be worst affected - analysis rejected as "partial" by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

The appointment, which is subject to parliamentary approval, was announced by Mr Osborne.