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Line chart showing cumulative public sector net borrowing

Energy support measures raise borrowing in February

Government borrowing in February 2023 was £16.7 billion, up £9.7 billion on last year, largely thanks to spending on energy schemes. Year-to-date borrowing of £132.2 billion is up £15.5 billion (13.2 per cent) on last year. But it is only up £6.9 billion (5.9 per cent) on a like-for-like basis (correcting for student loans figures…

Economic and fiscal outlook due 17 November 2022

New forecasts due on 17 November

We will publish our latest outlook for the economy and public finances alongside the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on Thursday 17 November. Earlier this month we published a timetable for the 31 October forecast process. We have now published a revised timetable.

Welfare trends report due 24 May

Publication of the Welfare trends report

Our 2022 Welfare trends report will be published this morning at 11am. It will explore the implications of the pandemic-induced recession for non-pensioner welfare spending by comparing it to the previous three recessions in the UK.

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March 2022 Economic and fiscal outlook

Our latest Economic and fiscal outlook will be published today alongside the Chancellor’s Spring Statement. It will set out forecasts for the economy and the public finances, and an assessment of whether the Government is likely to achieve its fiscal targets.

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Forecast evaluation report – December 2021

Our annual FER examines how our forecasts compare to subsequent outturn data and identifies lessons for future forecasts. The pandemic brought about the largest shock to the economy and public finances since the OBR was established. This report will look at its impact on our forecasts over 2020-21, and what we can learn for future…

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March 2021 Economic and fiscal outlook

We will publish our latest set of forecasts for the economy and public finances alongside the Chancellor’s Budget on Wednesday 3 March. The Economic and fiscal outlook will be published here immediately after the Chancellor’s speech.

Cumulative public sector net borrowing

Sharp rise in budget deficit is slower than expected

Government borrowing continued to rise in January, with monthly borrowing of £8.8 billion, despite a better-than-expected £24 billion of tax payments being made through self-assessment. Year-to-date borrowing has reached £271 billion, far exceeding the pre-virus annual record set at the height of the financial crisis in 2009-10 (£158 billion). We will publish our latest estimate…