Hunt hit by higher-than-expected public borrowing despite rise in tax revenues

Analysts blame rises in welfare costs and debt interest bill for monthly deficit of 14.3bn in November

Government borrowing was higher than expected last month despite an increase in tax revenues and a reduction in the level of energy support for millions of households.

Analysts blamed increases in the cost of welfare benefits and the debt interest bill for a monthly deficit of 14.3bn in November. That was lower than the 15.2bn in the same month last year, but higher than City economists expected.