UK borrows almost twice as much as expected in August

The borrowing figures come two days before a mini-budget announcement from the chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The UK government borrowed £11.8bn last month, almost twice as much as the Treasury’s independent forecaster had expected, as high inflation pushed interest payments to an August record.

The figures, from the Office for National Statistics, provide a difficult backdrop for the chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, before his mini-budget on Friday to address the cost of living crisis.