UK government borrowing overshoots forecast in August

Summarised from 7 outlets · Updated 22 Sept, 14:47

UK government borrowing reached £18.3bn in August, exceeding forecasts by around £3.5bn.

The Office for National Statistics reported that August borrowing was higher than expected and approximately £2.9bn more than August 2025. The figure puts pressure on Chancellor John Healey ahead of his Budget next month, as higher-than-expected spending outpaced tax revenue growth.

How it is being reported

• Tax rises ‘virtually inevitable’ after £8bn borrowing blowThe Telegraph · 22 Sept, 13:51
• Everything we know about John Healey's possible Budget tax hikes - and how they could affect youThe Mirror · 22 Sept, 13:45
• Treasury minister paves way for 'tough decisions' in Budget and experts warn tax hikes 'inevitable'The Mirror · 22 Sept, 10:35
• ‘Worryingly large’: Labour’s debt cost racks up to £200bnCity AM · 22 Sept, 08:27
• UK borrows £18bn in August, putting pressure on Healey before budgetThe Guardian · 22 Sept, 08:16
• Government borrowing surge piles pressure on Healey ahead of first BudgetThe Independent · 22 Sept, 08:09
• Government borrowing rises by a fifth to £18bn in AugustBBC News · 22 Sept, 07:46
• Chancellor's Budget woes deepen as borrowing surges above expectations even before impact of latest Iran energy spikeDaily Mail · 22 Sept, 07:19
• UK government borrowing jumps over forecast to £18.3bn in August as ‘fiscal straightjacket’ tightens – business liveThe Guardian · 22 Sept, 07:17
• Blow to Healey as government borrowing overshoots by billionsCity AM · 22 Sept, 07:15

In this story: John Healey · Office for National Statistics · Office for Budget Responsibility · UK

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem