Get the app →
BriefTea logoBriefTea

Every story in sixty words

Business · 21 June 2026

UK borrowing hits £23.3bn, debt interest record

UK borrowing hits £23.3bn, debt interest record

Britain borrowed £23.3 billion in May, the second highest amount ever for that month, and much more than experts predicted. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicated that May's debt interest payments hit a record-breaking £11.7 billion. Higher inflation, especially from the Middle East conflict, pushed up the cost of servicing index-linked government debt.

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

More briefs

BusinessIceland supermarket boss tells the Chancellor to cut business taxes for employers BusinessNorwich trains face disruption in September and October for rail works BusinessEngland's free bus pass age will rise to 67 by April 2028 BusinessBritish tourist visits to Japan up 40.8% since 2019 TechnologyGoogle paying £260m to settle UK Play Store developer lawsuit BusinessSnack makers warn new UK rules could undo years of reformulation work More business stories → Browse all stories →