Britain ran a bigger-than-expected budget deficit in December, swelled by debt interest and a one-off purchase of military homes, data showed today that underlined the fiscal pressure faced by finance minister Rachel Reeves.
Public sector net borrowing was £17.8 billion in December, the Office for National Statistics said.
Economists polled by Reuters had a median forecast of £14.1 billion for headline public sector net borrowing.
The ONS said the UK government racked up an £8.3 billion debt interest bill in December, the third-highest December total on record.
A £1.7 billion payment for the repurchase of military dwellings added to borrowing.
Britain's government has borrowed £129.9 billion over the first nine months of the 2024/25 financial year, the ONS said - more than the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast for £125.9 billion at this point of the year.
