Pre-Budget Report 'leaking like a sieve'

A business leader accused the Government today of leaking details of the Pre-Budget Report "like a sieve".

CBI president Martin Broughton told the business group's annual conference that the UK was entering an "extremely uncomfortable" period.

He told the opening session of the conference in London: "A lot will depend on today's Pre-Budget Report."

Referring to widespread reports of what will be in the Chancellor's speech this afternoon, Mr Broughton said: "The Treasury appears to be leaking like a sieve."

Mr Broughton said the Government deserved a lot of credit for the way it was responding to the economic downturn.