HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Resignation of Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury – Ed Balls [July 2004]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 1 July 2004.

Following his selection as the Labour Party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Normanton last night, Ed Balls, Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury, this morning submitted his resignation from the Treasury.

Commenting on Ed Balls’ resignation, the Chancellor said:

“Ed has been a close colleague of mine for the last ten years and I want to thank him for the great contribution he has made to the Treasury’s work over the last seven, first as economic adviser and for the last five years as Chief Economic Adviser. He has played a central and decisive role in developing and implementing policies to achieve economic stability and record levels of employment, to increase funding for public services and to tackle poverty in Britain and abroad. I know he has a great contribution to make in the future.”

Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, Gus O’Donnell said:

“I would like to thank Ed for his outstanding contribution to the Treasury over the past seven years. He has had an enormous and positive impact on the department and its thinking which will continue to influence us in the future. He has also been a great colleague to work with and will be missed throughout the Treasury.”

Mr Balls said:

“It has been a privilege to serve this government and this Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Treasury since 1997. I would like to thank Gordon Brown, Gus O’Donnell and all my colleagues for everything they have done over that time. I have been constantly in awe of the professionalism, talent and dedication to public service of the Treasury civil servants and political team that I have worked with in the important work the Treasury has done over these years.”

Gus O’Donnell has today appointed Michael Ellam to the new post of Director of Policy and Planning. Mr Ellam will have responsibility for short to medium-term coordination of policy, working closely with Ed Miliband who, as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers will have responsibility for the coordination of long-term policy.