UK public sector borrowing was 24.5 billion pounds in September 2026, 1.8 billion pounds more than a year earlier and the second highest September on record behind 2020, as spending, including debt interest, rose faster than government income, the Office for National Statistics said. Borrowing in the financial year to September was 97.8 billion pounds, 4.4 billion pounds less than the same period last year but 6.0 billion pounds above the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast, and central government debt interest payable reached 10.9 billion pounds in September, the highest September figure since monthly records began in 1997 and 2.0 billion pounds above forecast. Public sector net debt was provisionally estimated at 3,005.0 billion pounds at the end of September, exceeding 3 trillion pounds for the first time and equivalent to 94.0 percent of GDP, a share last seen in the early 1960s, although it was 0.7 percentage points lower than a year earlier.
UK borrowing beats forecast as debt passes 3 trillion pounds
UK public sector borrowing was 24.5 billion pounds in September 2026, 1.9 billion pounds above the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast, and public sector net debt provisionally exceeded 3 trillion pounds for the first time, the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday.
Why it matters: Borrowing for the financial year so far is running 6.0 billion pounds above the official forecast, with debt interest the fastest rising line, which narrows the government's room ahead of its next budget and keeps gilt supply heavy.
Data as of Office for National Statistics public sector finances bulletin for September 2026, released Wednesday, October 21, 2026 and read in full; forecast comparisons are against the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast cited in the bulletin, and the debt figure is provisional. Single primary source, hence grade B. Developing item.
Sources
- Public sector finances, UK: September 2026 - UK Office for National Statistics - 2026-10-21