UK borrowing in May surges by more than expected

"The big picture is that the public finances are fragile."

— Ruth Gregory , Academic

"Long-term borrowing costs have been creeping up and will be monitored closely."

— Danni Hewson , Executive

"The war in the Middle East has clearly had an impact on economies around the world."

— Lucy Rigby , Politician

"Borrowing is out of control."

— Mel Stride , Politician

"Putting our stability at risk when signs of progress are emerging would leave families and businesses worse off."

— Rachel Reeves , Politician

"Today’s policymaking is constrained by a more volatile external environment with more frequent and overlapping shocks; a rising public interest bill in part reflecting market concerns with countries’ elevated debt, and the longstanding challenge of weak productivity growth."

— Luc Eyraud , Executive

"the traditional British love of misery and the media’s obsessive negativity towards the government"

— John Van Reenen , Academic

"The inflationary pressure of the conflict, along with large government deficits, mean yields will remain high for the foreseeable future."

— Apollo , Executive

"Basically, if the cost of borrowing increases, governments have to dedicate a lot more revenue to servicing their debt."

— Daniela Gabor , Academic