Government borrowing higher than expected in August

UK government borrowing was higher than expected in August, reaching £18bn, the highest in five years according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Tax and National Insurance receipts increased but were outweighed by rising spending on public services, benefits, and debt interest. Borrowing for the first five months of the financial year has now reached £83.8bn, up by £16.2bn from the previous year.