UK public sector net borrowing (excluding public sector banks) totaled £24.5 billion in September 2026, slightly above £22.8 billion in the same month a year ago and market expectations of £23.9 billion. This was the second-highest September figure on record, behind only that of 2020 (not adjusted for inflation), as spending growth outpaced the rise in receipts. Total spending increased by £6.7 billion year-on-year to £123.8 billion, with central government expenditure rising by £5.9 billion to £111.3 billion, driven by spending on public services, interest, benefits and other costs. Total receipts rose by £4.9 billion to £99.3 billion, with central government revenues up by £4.5 billion to £90.1 billion on higher tax receipts. Borrowing in the financial year to September was £97.8 billion, down £4.4 billion, or 4.3%, from the previous year but £6.0 billion above the OBR’s forecast. Meanwhile, public sector net debt exceeded £3 trillion for the first time, equivalent to 94% of GDP. source: Office for National Statistics

The United Kingdom recorded a government budget deficit of 24520 GBP Million in September of 2026. Government Budget Value in the United Kingdom averaged -6555.74 GBP Million from 1993 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 31960.00 GBP Million in January of 2026 and a record low of -51103.00 GBP Million in May of 2020. This page provides - United Kingdom Government Budget Value - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United Kingdom Public Sector Net Borrowing Ex Banks - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on November of 2026.

The United Kingdom recorded a government budget deficit of 24520 GBP Million in September of 2026. Government Budget Value in the United Kingdom is expected to be -15800.00 GBP Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Public Sector Net Borrowing Ex Banks is projected to trend around -13900.00 GBP Million in 2027 and -11200.00 GBP Million in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-22 06:00 AM
Public Sector Net Borrowing Ex Banks
Aug £-18.3B £-2.0B £-15.7B £-12.8B
2026-10-21 06:00 AM
Public Sector Net Borrowing Ex Banks
Sep £-24.5B £-17.3B £-23.9B £-23.2B
2026-11-20 07:00 AM
Public Sector Net Borrowing Ex Banks
Oct £-24.5B £-22.0B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Fiscal Expenditure 123791.00 116488.00 GBP Million Sep 2026
Public Sector Net Borrowing Ex Banks -24520.00 -17252.00 GBP Million Sep 2026
Government Debt 3005.00 2981.20 GBP Billion Sep 2026
Government Revenues 99271.00 99236.00 GBP Million Sep 2026
Government Spending 156217.00 157069.00 GBP Million Jun 2026
Interest Payments on Government Debt 10933.00 8883.00 GBP Million Sep 2026
Public Sector Net Borrowing -24520.00 -17252.00 GBP Million Sep 2026
Public Sector Net Debt to GDP 94.00 93.60 percent of GDP Sep 2026
Tax Revenue 66282.00 66630.00 GBP Million Sep 2026


United Kingdom Public Sector Net Borrowing Ex Banks
In the UK, public sector net borrowing excluding public sector banks (PSNB ex) measures the gap between revenue raised (current receipts) and total spending. Total spending refers to current expenditure plus net investment (capital spending less capital receipts). Public sector net borrowing (PSNB) is often referred to by commentators as “the deficit”.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-24520.00 -17252.00 31960.00 -51103.00 1993 - 2026 GBP Million Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
UK Public Sector Borrowing Slightly Higher than Expected
UK public sector net borrowing (excluding public sector banks) totaled £24.5 billion in September 2026, slightly above £22.8 billion in the same month a year ago and market expectations of £23.9 billion. This was the second-highest September figure on record, behind only that of 2020 (not adjusted for inflation), as spending growth outpaced the rise in receipts. Total spending increased by £6.7 billion year-on-year to £123.8 billion, with central government expenditure rising by £5.9 billion to £111.3 billion, driven by spending on public services, interest, benefits and other costs. Total receipts rose by £4.9 billion to £99.3 billion, with central government revenues up by £4.5 billion to £90.1 billion on higher tax receipts. Borrowing in the financial year to September was £97.8 billion, down £4.4 billion, or 4.3%, from the previous year but £6.0 billion above the OBR’s forecast. Meanwhile, public sector net debt exceeded £3 trillion for the first time, equivalent to 94% of GDP.
2026-10-21
UK Public Sector Borrowing Exceeds Forecasts
UK public sector net borrowing (excluding public sector banks) was £18.3 billion in August 2026, higher than the £15.4 billion recorded in the same month last year and market expectations of £15.7 billion. This marked the second-highest August on record (not adjusted for inflation), behind 2020, and was £3.5 billion above the OBR forecast. Total public sector spending rose by £6.7 billion year-on-year to £117.2 billion, with central government spending increasing £4.9 billion to £103.1 billion, driven by higher spending on goods and services and net social benefits. Meanwhile, total receipts rose by £3.7 billion to £99.0 billion, with central government receipts rising £3.3 billion to £89.8 billion, led by higher income-related taxes. Borrowing in the financial year to August stood at £77.3 billion, £2.2 billion, or 2.7%, below a year earlier but £8.1 billion above the OBR forecast. Public sector net debt was 93.8% of GDP at end-August, remaining at levels last seen in the early 1960s.
2026-09-22
UK Public Sector Borrowing Unexpectedly Rises in July
UK public sector net borrowing (excluding public sector banks) was £1.8 billion in July 2026, higher than the £1.1 billion recorded in the same month a year earlier and compared with market expectations for no change. Public sector spending increased by £5.6 billion year-on-year to £115.3 billion, as higher inflation pushed up the cost of welfare, debt interest, wages and government procurement. Receipts rose by £4.8 billion to £113.5 billion, mainly due to rising self-assessment tax receipts, which reached £17.1 billion, the highest for any July on record. Borrowing in the financial year to July 2026 totaled £56.7 billion, £6.0 billion, or 9.6%, lower than in the same period a year earlier but £2.3 billion above the OBR’s forecast. This marked the 12th-lowest April-to-July borrowing total since comparable monthly records began in 1993. Public sector net debt stood at 94.1% of GDP, 0.8 percentage points lower than a year earlier but still at levels last seen in the early 1960s.
2026-08-21