UK borrowing rises to £20.2bn, putting pressure on Rachel Reeves

The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has faced questions over her tight control of the public finances before next month’s comprehensive spending review. Photograph: Hannah McKay/PA

The UK government borrowed more than expected in April, underscoring the challenge for Rachel Reeves to fix public services and grow the economy while meeting her fiscal rules.

With the chancellor under pressure on Labour’s tax plans, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing rose to £20.2bn in April, £1bn more than the same month a year earlier. City economists had forecast borrowing of £17.9bn.