UK borrowing ‘highest ever’

GOVERNMENT borrowing surged to £62.1 billion to April the highest figure for any month on record - after heavy spending in the face of coronavirus, according to new figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector borrowing - excluding banks owned by the state - was £51.1 billion higher than the same month last year.

The figure is significantly higher than analysts had predicted, with a consensus of economists predicting £30.7 billion for the month.

However, it is slightly lower than the £66.6 billion estimate made by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) last month.

It comes after the Chancellor stepped up financial support for businesses and employees after vast areas of the economy were forced to halt due to the coronavirus lockdown.

A fall in tax receipts also significantly contributed to the rise in borrowing, with central government receipts sliding by 26.5% for the month compared to April 2019.

This was driven by a combination of contracting economic activity, rising unemployment and weaker earnings, and tax breaks given to companies in response to the lockdown.