UK debt pile reaches £2.1 trillion after record November borrowing
Government borrowing surged to a record £31.6 billion in November as efforts ramped up to support the economy through the second wave of the pandemic, official figures have shown.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said last month’s borrowing – excluding state-owned banks – soared by £26 billion year on year and marked the highest seen in November and the third highest in any month since records began in 1993.
The latest estimate saw public sector net debt reach a new all-time high of £2.1 trillion at the end of last month.
Public sector net borrowing was £31.6 billion in November 2020, up £26.0 billion on November 2019.
This is the highest November borrowing and the third-highest borrowing in any month since monthly records began in 1993 https://t.co/E0XzkaLlvRpic.twitter.com/tO9xZ51ZUH
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) December 22, 2020
It means the UK’s overall debt is now around 99.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), which is a measure of the size of the economy – a level not seen since 1962.
Borrowing has hit £240.9 billion for the first eight months of the financial year – £188.6 billion more year on year and breaking yet more records.
Recent official forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predict borrowing could reach £393.5 billion by the end of the financial year in March, which would be the highest seen since the Second World War.
It comes after the Government launched more than 40 schemes across the UK to help households and businesses through the coronavirus crisis.
One of the most costly has been the furlough scheme for workers, which was last week extended again until April 2021.
Public sector net debt rose £301.6 billion to £2,099.8 billion in the eight months to end of November 2020 – around 99.5%% of GDP.
In recent months debt to GDP ratios reached levels last seen in the financial year ending March 1962 https://t.co/4hP6dpaKaWpic.twitter.com/TbOHmHvm8U
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) December 22, 2020
The most recent figures from HM Revenue & Customs showed another £3.4 billion worth of claims were made between November 15 and December 13, taking total claims to £46.4 billion and 9.9 million furloughed jobs.
The ONS said borrowing rose as tax and National Insurance receipts fell by £38.3 billion – or 8.6% – year on year in the eight months to November.
But government support for individuals and businesses during the pandemic contributed to a 30% or £147.3 billion hike in central government spending.