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Public sector borrowing soaring Public sector borrowing soaring
(10 minutes later)
The's UK public sector net borrowing totalled £8bn last month, the first July deficit for 13 years, official figures have shown.The's UK public sector net borrowing totalled £8bn last month, the first July deficit for 13 years, official figures have shown.
The figure was much worse than the £500m deficit expected by analysts, and comes as the recession continues to reduce the government's tax returns.The figure was much worse than the £500m deficit expected by analysts, and comes as the recession continues to reduce the government's tax returns.
July is typically a month of surplus, due to corporate tax payments.July is typically a month of surplus, due to corporate tax payments.
In April's budget, the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, forecast that borrowing this year would reach £175bn. In April's budget, the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, forecast that borrowing this year would reach £175bn
'Caused by recession'
The Treasury said in a statement that the the large deficit in July was expected, and caused by the recession.The Treasury said in a statement that the the large deficit in July was expected, and caused by the recession.
"In the first half of the year the whole world was in a steep recession and that affected the public finances here in the UK," said a Treasury spokesman."In the first half of the year the whole world was in a steep recession and that affected the public finances here in the UK," said a Treasury spokesman.
In July of last year, the public sector finances posted a surplus of £5.2bn.
Last month's deficit was the first in July since 1996, and the largest for that month since at least 1993.