Britain’s government borrowing rose faster than official forecasts expected in September, in a timely reminder of the challenges facing Rachel Reeves as she prepares to deliver the budget next week. The UK borrowed £16.

British public borrowing in the first six months of the tax year came in higher than official forecasts, data showed on Tuesday, underscoring the challenge facing finance minister Rachel Reeves in her first budget next week.

Data comes as Rachel Reeves prepares to raise taxes in next week’s Budget

The ONS said public sector net borrowing in the first half of the financial year stood at £79.6 billion, £6.7 billion higher than forecast by the OBR.