The British government has received a boost from revised official figures showing that borrowing was less than expected in the 2009/2010 financial year, even though it hit a record high.
Economists said the public finances data, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), would be welcomed by new finance minister George Osborne ahead of his emergency budget due next month.
The ONS said it had revised down the public sector net borrowing requirement to £145.4 billion for the 12 months to March 31, due to increased tax receipts.
The figure, which remains a record high and includes measures aimed at dealing with the financial crisis, contrasted with the previous estimate of £152.8 billion.
The ONS added that borrowing in April, the first month of the 2010/2011 financial year, climbed to £10 billion - also a record level for the month. That compared with £8.8 billion in April 2009, but was better than market expectations of £10.9 billion.
Borrowing hit record levels last year as a record-long recession slammed the country's tax revenues and ramped up government spending.
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne will unveil his emergency budget on June 22, after warning of an urgent need to tackle the deficit or face the prospect of a Greek-style debt crisis.
The Conservative-Liberal Democrat government coalition, led by Prime Minister David Cameron, has made tackling the deficit a priority and promised cuts worth £6 billion this year.
