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Some say, for a start, it could further depress an already stagnant economy, as well as further depress the outlook of many on politicians' capacities to keep promises.

The organisation, said the source, had become a bureaucracy that was "intellectually stagnant" and that its position interacting with both the health service and ministers "wasn't right".

The chancellor is under great scrutiny ahead of her Spring Statement, against a backdrop of a stagnant economy.

For example, they said NHS waiting lists needed to come down first – which should also bring savings in PIP and incapacity benefits - and should be done against the backdrop of a growing, not stagnant, economy.

Economic growth is slowing, wages remain stagnant, private investment has been sluggish for years and job creation isn't keeping pace.