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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/oct/18/deficit-debt-government-borrowing-data

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Version 1 Version 2
Deficit, national debt and government borrowing - how has it changed since 1946? Deficit, national debt and government borrowing - how has it changed since 1946?
(about 1 month later)
Britain's budget deficit ballooned to a record for the month in February as income tax receipts dropped and spending climbed, in a blow to the chancellor just hours before he presents his annual budget. Britain's budget deficit is actally on target despite a rise to £18.17bn last month, from £17.95bn a year ago, according to the Office for National Statistics. This was worse than the £16bn predicted by City economists.
The Office for National Statistics says says public sector net borrowing excluding the banking bailouts, the government's preferred measure, jumped to £15.2bn last month, compared with £8.88bn in February 2011. The figure wrongfooted City economists, who had expected an £8bn shortfall. However, the Office for National Statistics says downward revisions to previous months meant the chancellor still managed to meet his £126bn borrowing target for the 2011/12 financial year. This compares with a £137bn shortfall last year.
George Osborne has already dampened expectations of giveaways in his Budget, and these figures illustrate how little leeway he has. City analysts, and Labour, said the still parlous state of the public finances highlighted the problems George Osborne will face in balancing the books over the next five years. Whilst acknowledging that tough decisions needed to be made on tax and spending, Labour warned that the government risked choking off the recovery by cutting spending and raising taxes "too far and too fast".
"This figure is completely out of the blue. It provides an uncomfortable background for the Budget," said Philip Shaw, economist at Investec.
The latest data shows Government borrowing, with data all the way back to the 1940s. All political parties have faced their fair share of debt through the years - almost as if the economic climate has its own life independent of who is managing it.The latest data shows Government borrowing, with data all the way back to the 1940s. All political parties have faced their fair share of debt through the years - almost as if the economic climate has its own life independent of who is managing it.
What is the deficit? When the ONS talks about the deficit, they take a simple measure - the gap between what's coming into the government in taxes and receipts versus what's being spent. Most commentators look at net borrowing as the deficit figure, because it includes investment spending. It's different to the national debt - which is the total the country owes.What is the deficit? When the ONS talks about the deficit, they take a simple measure - the gap between what's coming into the government in taxes and receipts versus what's being spent. Most commentators look at net borrowing as the deficit figure, because it includes investment spending. It's different to the national debt - which is the total the country owes.
So this month the budget is in deficit. Here are the key facts for Feburary - if you exclude the temporary effects of the financial interventions in the banks:So this month the budget is in deficit. Here are the key facts for Feburary - if you exclude the temporary effects of the financial interventions in the banks:
• the public sector current budget was in deficit by £11.1bn; this is a £6.7bn higher deficit than in February 2011, when there was a deficit of £4.3bn
/>• public sector net borrowing was £15.2bn; this is £6.3bn higher net borrowing than in February 2011, when net borrowing was £8.9bn;
/>• public sector net debt at the end of February 2012 was £995.0bn (63.1% of GDP). This compares to £877.3bn (58.8% of GDP) at the end of February 2011		 • the public sector current budget was in deficit by £11.1bn; this is a £0.8bn higher deficit than in March 2011, when there was a deficit of £10.3bn
/>• public sector net borrowing was £18.2bn; this is £0.2bn higher net borrowing than in March 2011, when net borrowing was £18.0bn
/>• public sector net debt at the end of March 2012 was £1022.5bn (66.0% of GDP). This compares with £905.3bn (60.5% of GDP) at the end of March 2011
If you include the financial interventions, the big headline figure is that:If you include the financial interventions, the big headline figure is that:
public sector net debt at the end of February 2012 was £2172.8bn (137.9% of GDP). This compares to £2233.3bn (149.6% of GDP) as at the end of February 2011 public sector net debt at the end of March 2012 was £2,181.0bn (140.8% of GDP). This compares with £2,250.2bn (150.4% of GDP) as at the end of March 2011
The ONS data below shows monthly, quarterly and annual debt and deficit - what can you do with it?The ONS data below shows monthly, quarterly and annual debt and deficit - what can you do with it?
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