UK debt exceeds GDP for first time in 57 years

£87bn up on last year

clock • 1 min read

The UK’s borrowing reached £103.2bn over the months of April and May - £87bn more than during the same period last year – according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today.

Government borrowing in May alone - excluding public sector banks - reached £55.2bn as a result of unprecedented fiscal stimulus triggered by the coronavirus crisis, while tax receipts fell by 28.4% compared to the same period last year to £40.7bn as businesses remained bruised by the crisis. Government spending in May - which included £10.5bn on furloughed workers and £6.8bn to self-employed workers - reached £91.6bn, which is 50% more than over the same period last year. Overall, debt at the end of May stood at 100.9% of GDP - the first time debt has exceeded growth in the UK since 1963...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Titan Wealth builds Welsh presence with Thomas Carroll IFA acquisition

Titan Wealth builds Welsh presence with Thomas Carroll IFA acquisition

Thomas Carroll IFA is based in Caerphilly

Sahar Nazir
clock 18 November 2025 • 2 min read
The Openwork Partnership hires former Royal London exec as Omnis Investments CEO

The Openwork Partnership hires former Royal London exec as Omnis Investments CEO

Mehdi Kadhim joins

Sahar Nazir
clock 18 November 2025 • 2 min read
Abolishing tax-free cash 'highly unlikely' and withdrawals market impact minimal

Abolishing tax-free cash 'highly unlikely' and withdrawals market impact minimal

‘UK pensioners are too small a fish in the global monetary system’

Sahar Nazir
clock 17 November 2025 • 3 min read