The UK Picture

Public sector net debt

public-finances

Public sector net debt excluding public sector banks as a share of GDP.

Latest

93.8 % of GDP
2026 AUG

Previous-period movement

-0.2
This describes movement, not whether the outcome is good or bad.

Source

Office for National Statistics

Retrieved 2026-09-22 · revision 1
Historical trendUp to 120 most recent observations. Latest value 93.80 % of GDP.98.10 % of GDP2016 SEP2026 AUG

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Recent observations

PeriodValueRevision
2026 AUG93.8 % of GDP1
2026 JUL94 % of GDP2
2026 JUN94.6 % of GDP1
2026 MAY94.3 % of GDP2
2026 APR93.6 % of GDP2
2026 MAR93.3 % of GDP2
2026 FEB92.6 % of GDP2
2026 JAN92.3 % of GDP1
2025 DEC94.2 % of GDP2
2025 NOV94.6 % of GDP2
2025 OCT94 % of GDP1
2025 SEP94.9 % of GDP1
2025 AUG95.1 % of GDP1
2025 JUL94.9 % of GDP1
2025 JUN94.5 % of GDP1
2025 MAY94.9 % of GDP2
2025 APR93.8 % of GDP2
2025 MAR93.4 % of GDP1
2025 FEB93.4 % of GDP1
2025 JAN93.1 % of GDP2
2024 DEC94.8 % of GDP1
2024 NOV95.2 % of GDP1
2024 OCT94.4 % of GDP1
2024 SEP94 % of GDP1

One reading

Borrowing can support services and investment during weak conditions or exceptional shocks.

Another reading

Persistent borrowing and high debt can increase interest costs and reduce room for future tax or spending choices.

What the data cannot prove: a movement does not by itself identify its cause or show that every person experienced the same outcome.