UK government debt rises above 100% of GDP for first time since 1961

In blow to Rishi Sunak's plans to cut taxes before general election, net debt reached 2.6tn at of end of May

The UK's total government debt pile in May reached more than 100% of annual national income for the first time since 1961 as state borrowing more than doubled, according to official figures.

In a blow to Rishi Sunak's plans to cut taxes before the general election, which is expected next year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said net debt reached 2.6tn as of the end of May, estimated at 100.1% of gross domestic product (GDP).