This morning’s ONS release estimates that borrowing in the first nine months of 2025-26 totalled £140.4 billion. This is £0.3 billion below the same period last year and £4.1 billion below the monthly profile consistent with our November forecast. Lower than expected borrowing for the year to date is explained by central government net borrowing, which is £2.8 billion below profile due to lower than expected spending, and local authority net borrowing which is £1.3 billion below profile.
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Year to date borrowing slightly below forecast profile
22 January 2026 | What's new, Home, Monthly public finances release
This morning’s ONS release estimates that borrowing in the first nine months of 2025-26 totalled £140.4 billion. This is £0.3 billion below the same period last year and £4.1 billion below the monthly profile consistent with our November forecast. Lower than expected borrowing for the year to date is explained by central government net borrowing, which is £2.8 billion below profile due to lower than expected spending, and local authority net borrowing which is £1.3 billion below profile.