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A powerful group of cross-party MPs has demanded the chancellor release a full economic forecast by the end of October – a month earlier than planned.

The Treasury Select Committee, made up of MPs from all parties and chaired by a Conservative MP, has called on Kwasi Kwarteng to release a full economic forecast from the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) by the end of October.

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Mr Kwarteng had said it would be released on 23 November, when he is due to give his next budget statement – a medium-term fiscal plan.

But after last Friday’s mini-budget caused economic turmoil for the UK, the committee discovered the chancellor will be getting an initial OBR forecast on 7 October.

They have also requested the full budget be brought forward to the end of October as well.

And they have asked him to publish “without delay” the initial economic and fiscal forecast the OBR provided to him when he started the job a few weeks ago.

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A reply from the chancellor has been requested for no later than Monday.

The letter from the committee’s Tory chair, Mel Stride, said it is “hard to conclude other than that an absence of a forecast has in some part driven the lack of confidence in markets”.

He added: “Some have formed the unfortunate impression that the government may be seeking to avoid scrutiny, possibly on account of expecting the OBR forecast to be unsupportive of the achievement of the economic outcomes the government expects from the Growth Plan, including 2.5% trend growth in the medium term.”

Mr Stride also expressed frustration in his letter at having pressed Mr Kwarteng and his predecessor Nadhim Zahawi to publish an OBR forecast before the mini-budget and said the OBR had assured him on 26 August they could produce a forecast to that timescale and had already been working on it for a month.

“The OBR was standing by ready to provide a meaningful forecast alongside the 23 September statement had the Treasury requested it. No such request was received,” Mr Stride said.

The senior Tory told Sky News’ Daily Podcast on Thursday: “Many colleagues are very concerned, and I think that’s totally unsurprising.

“I mean, I can speak for myself. I’m on the record as saying that I think if we’re not very careful, then our position as being the party of sound money and economic responsibility, fiscal responsibility, may be in jeopardy.”

He added that he did not think it was incompetence that caused the current problems and suspects “some of those involved have been taken slightly by surprise how quickly the markets turned” but he thinks publishing an OBR forecast would be central to calming the markets by “demonstrating credibility”.

Liz Truss and Mr Kwarteng have today been defending the mini-budget, with the prime minister insisting the government took “decisive action” that will aid growth.

The chancellor said the plan is aimed at “protecting people right across the country” and was “absolutely essential” for growth.

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Constance Marten and partner guilty of concealing birth of child and perverting course of justice

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June 26, 2024

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Constance Marten and partner guilty of concealing birth of child and perverting course of justice

Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon have been found guilty at the Old Bailey of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice, it can now be reported.

There will be a retrial on other charges they were facing, which is likely to be held in March next year.

Marten, 37, who is from a wealthy family, and Gordon, 50, were charged following the death of their newborn baby daughter Victoria.

A nationwide search for Marten and Gordon was launched after a placenta was found in the couple’s burnt-out car on a motorway in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in January 2023.

The couple were arrested in Brighton last February, with the child’s body found days later.

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Maldwyn Evans: Family ‘distraught’ after death of four-year-old boy

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June 26, 2024

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Maldwyn Evans: Family 'distraught' after death of four-year-old boy

A family has been left “incredibly distraught” after the death of a four-year-old boy in his garden in Ceredigion in west Wales.

Maldwyn “Gwern” Evans died at his home in Tynreithin, Tregaron, on 20 June.

His family described him as a “keen little farmer” who would be remembered for his “captivating personality”.

“As a family, we are incredibly distraught by our tragic loss, and he will be greatly missed by us and the entire community,” they said in a statement issued through Dyfed-Powys Police.

“He was a loving son and a caring brother, who touched the hearts of so many.

“He lived his short life to the fullest and will be remembered for his captivating personality.

“He was an extremely keen little farmer who had knowledge and ability beyond his years.”

They added: “We would like to thank everyone for their support and kindness at this horrific time.

“It has meant so much to the whole family.”

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Dyfed-Powys Police said in a previous statement: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and HM Coroner has been informed.

“Our thoughts are with the family who are receiving support and they have asked for privacy during this difficult time.”

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Jay Slater: Spanish police release new footage of search for missing teen

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5 hours ago

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June 26, 2024

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Jay Slater: Spanish police release new footage of search for missing teen

Newly released footage shows the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater continues by both land and air.

The search for the 19-year-old from Lancashire, who is missing in Tenerife, has now entered its tenth day.

He has been missing since Monday 17 June.

The friends he was holidaying with last heard from him at around 8.30am that day.

He told them he planned to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus – a journey of around 11 hours by foot.

The search currently centres on Masca, a mountainous area on the western tip of the island.

The village, which is home to around 90 inhabitants, lies at an altitude of 650m, and is where Mr Slater is believed to have been when he was last heard from.

Pic: Guardia Civil/X
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Pic: Guardia Civil/X

Pic: Guardia Civil/X
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Pic: Guardia Civil/X

Search continues

The footage from Spanish police comes after Mr Slater’s father said the family were being kept in the dark by some officers.

It shows a helicopter searching the mountainous area, with search teams on foot having been joined by sniffer dogs.

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They then enter a wooded area and proceed to search the mountainous region.

In one clip, an officer uses binoculars to try and see if there are any signs of the missing teen.

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Jay Slater’s dad has said police have left him and his family in the dark over the hunt for the missing teen.

The 35-second montage of clips was posted on the X social media platform on the Guardia Civil account.

“We continue with the search for the young British man missing in Tenerife,” police said in the post on Tuesday night.

“Different Guardia Civil units from the area participate, joined by agents, with their dogs specialised in searching for people, from Madrid.”

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But The Times reports that the dogs have not been given a piece of Mr Slater’s clothing for them to pick up a scent.

Cadaver dogs have been trained to pick up the scent of human remains without the need for a specific prompt.

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Mayor Emilio Jose Navarro told the Reuters news agency that some locals have been interviewed by police.

That includes some who claim they saw Mr Slater watching Euro matches on the coast.

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