UK public sector borrows £24.5bn in September, £1.8bn more than a year earlier
The ONS reports public sector net borrowing of £24.5 billion in September 2026, up £1.8 billion on the same month last year. The figures are provisional.
The Office for National Statistics reported on 21 October 2026 that the UK borrowed £24.5 billion in September. That is £1.8 billion more than in September 2025. The figures are provisional and will be revised.
The month
- Borrowing in September: £24.5 billion
- Change on the year: up £1.8 billion
- Status: provisional
Borrowing is the gap between total public sector spending and income. A single month is volatile, so the year-to-date figure in the bulletin gives a steadier read of the trend.
Reading it
Government borrowing affects gilt yields, and gilt yields feed into sterling through the difference in interest rates between the UK and other economies. For the mechanism, see bond yields and exchange rates.
The same week, the UK inflation report showed CPI at 3.5%, and earlier in the month the August GDP estimate showed growth of 0.1%. Together these shape the outlook for the Bank of England. Live prices: GBP/USD.
Sources
Common questions
How much did the UK borrow in September 2026?
The ONS reports borrowing of £24.5 billion in September 2026, up £1.8 billion on September 2025.
Are the ONS public finance figures final?
No. They are provisional and are revised as more data arrive, which is why the bulletin also shows year-to-date totals.
What is public sector net borrowing?
It is the difference between what the public sector spends and what it receives in taxes and other income, in a given period.
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