UK government borrowing in August hit the highest level for the month in five years, latest figures show, adding to the pressure on the chancellor ahead of the Budget.
Borrowing - the difference between public spending and tax income - was £18bn in August, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, which was higher than analysts had expected.
Despite tax and National Insurance receipts increasing, they were outstripped by higher spending on public services, benefits and debt interest, the UK statistics body said.
One analyst said Rachel Reeves faced "tough choices" in the Budget to meet her tax and spending rules, with speculation building that taxes will rise.
The latest borrowing figure for August is the highest for the month since the height of the Covid pandemic, when government spending was ramped up to support the economy.
