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The Office for National Statistics reported on 22 September that public sector net borrowing, excluding public sector banks, was £18.268 billion in August 2026. The bulletin says this was around one fifth above August 2025, as expenditure rose more than taxes and other income.
Borrowing from the start of the financial year to August was below the same period a year earlier but above the official forecast. Net debt was £2,985.5 billion, or 93.8% of GDP, at month end; the ratio was below its level a year before.