UK borrows £18bn in August, putting pressure on Healey before budget

Higher-than-expected figure will make chancellor’s aim of calming jittery bond markets more difficult

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The UK government borrowed a higher-than-expected £18.3bn last month, increasing the pressure on John Healey as he attempts to calm jittery bond markets before next month’s budget.

Official figures released by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday said public sector net borrowing – the difference between government spending and income – was £2.9bn higher last month than in August 2025.