UK government borrowing hits higher than expected £3.1bn in July
by Larry Elliott Economics editor from on (#6Q4DG)
Figures come amid row between Labour and Conservatives over true state of public finances
Strong spending on public services and welfare pushed government borrowing last month to more than double its level in the same period a year earlier, adding fuel to the row between Labour and the Conservatives over the health of the public finances.
The 3.1bn deficit was the highest for a July in three years and 3bn higher than expected by the government's spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
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