Osborne sets date for Autumn Statement

George Osborne will deliver his annual Autumn Statement on 5 December.

The statement, known as the Pre-Budget Report under Gordon Brown's leadership, will be delivered alongside the economic forecasts of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). If the OBR's estimates are lower than expected, commentators say it may lead to a relaxation of the coalition's fiscal mandate. A spokesperson for Osborne told the Financial Times that the Chancellor was "committed" to seeing through its fiscal measures.