UK government borrowing rises to £24.5bn as John Healey prepares for budget

Government paid 10.9bn in debt interest, the highest September figure since records began

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The Treasury ran a higher than expected budget deficit of 24.5bn last month as rising inflation pushed up the interest paid on government debt, increasing pressure on John Healey before his budget next week.

Official figures show the government paid 10.9bn in debt interest: the highest September figure since records began, and only the eighth time the monthly number has been above 10bn.