Borrowing surge puts pressure on chancellor ahead of Budget

"Both higher borrowing costs and higher inflation make life harder for a chancellor who is looking to bring down borrowing and to spend more on government priorities."

— Nick Ridpath , Academic

"It is a dismal backdrop for the autumn Budget, with the government once again borrowing more than expected."

— Ruth Gregory , Academic

"At a time when debt interest costs billions of pounds that could otherwise be spent on improving lives, we must always know where the money is coming from to pay for public services."

— Emma Reynolds , Politician

"Only the Conservatives will make the tough choices on welfare and public spending to get Britain's finances under control."

— Andrew Griffith , Politician

"It was important not to overinterpret a single month given the volatility in the numbers."

— Martin Beck , Academic