The public finances are on track to miss their annual target after government borrowing rose in June.
Public sector net borrowing widened to £7.2 billion last month, more than double the £3.3 billion recorded in June last year and the largest budget deficit for the month in four years, according to official figures.
The Office for National Statistics said that there had been an increase in total central government expenditure, which rose by £4.3 billion, or 7.2 per cent, to £64.8 billion. This was driven in part by a £1.2 billion rise in expenditure on goods and services. Britain’s contributions to the European Union also increased by £400 million compared with June 2018. Interest payments on government debt increased by £2.1 billion because of movements
