Economic Buzz: UK Budget Deficit Widens In October

22 Nov 2022 , 03:15 PM

The UK budget deficit widened in October as the government started paying under the energy support scheme, official data showed. Public sector net borrowing, excluding banks, increased by GBP 4.4 billion from the last year to GBP 13.5 billion in October, the Office for National Statistics reported. Current receipts decreased GBP 0.7 billion from the last year, while current expenditure increased by GBP 6.5 billion. In October, the government made its first payment under the energy support scheme to households and to domestic energy suppliers. The interest payable on central government debt was GBP 6.1 billion, within this GBP 3.3 billion reflected the impact of the retail prices index. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that the debt interest payable on central governments outstanding debt will be GBP 120.4 billion for the current financial year. At the end of October, public sector net debt excluding banks was GBP 2,459.9 billion or around 97.5 percent of gross domestic product, data showed.Powered by Commodity Insights