The government’s borrowing last month was £ 15bn more than last year, with the budget deficit higher than economists predicted.
The gap between what the government is in and what it spends was £ 10.7bn in February, according to official figures, as spending was higher and tax lending was lower than forecasts.
The amount is the fourth highest since the records began in 1993 and £ 4.1 billion higher than economists questioned by the Reuters News Agency.
This time last year, the government borrowed £ 117.5 billion, but the figure rose to £ 132.2bn during the current financial year, representing an £ 15bn increase, showed the data for National Statistics (us).
This is unwelcome news a few days before Chancellor Rachel Reeves gives an update on the health of the British economy in her spring statement.
In response to the figures, Treasury Secretary Darren Jones said: “We focus on the public sector again on our missions and, for the first time in 17 years, by going every cent of taxpayers money for line to make sure it helps us to ensure the future of Britain.”
“The essence of this urgent mission is good public finances, based on our non-negotiable fiscal rules. This government will never play quickly and loose with public finances.”
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