Public sector net borrowing, excluding state-owned banks, fell by £30 million to £5.8 billion for April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Economists had expected net borrowing to be marginally higher at £5.9 billion. Government expenditure jumped by £1.8 billion to £66.5 billion, while receipts also rose, up £1.4 billion to £61.2 billion for April. (PA Graphics)Public sector net debt excluding public sector banks increased by £20.5 billion to £1,797.7 billion, which is 82.7% of GDP. The ONS announced last month that net borrowing fell by £17.2 billion to £24.7 billion for the financial year to the end of March.

Source: Irish Independent May 22, 2019 09:48 UTC