Key Facts

• UK borrowing in September was £20.2 billion, the highest in five years for that month.
• Borrowing increased by £1.6 billion compared to September last year.
• The rise in borrowing was due to increased debt interest payments.
• From April to September, borrowing reached £99.8 billion, up £11.5 billion from the same period last year.
• September's figures followed a similar trend in August, with borrowing at a five-year high for that month too.
• The borrowing figure was slightly below analysts' predictions but aligned with earlier government forecasts.
• Increased tax income was partly due to higher employers' national insurance contributions.
• Pay raises and inflation also raised government running costs and state benefit costs.