“The public finances are back in the red this month as a deficit of £17 billion brings the total for the 11 months to February to £132 billion, with public sector net debt in excess of £2.5 trillion. Although broadly in line with the OBR’s improved estimate accompanying the Spring Budget, the numbers don’t reflect the cost of backdated public sector pay settlements to be recorded in the final month of the 2022/23 financial year.
“The Chancellor still needs to top up departmental budgets for pay awards in the next financial year, reducing his capacity to address inflationary cost pressures in other areas. HS2 may not be the only capital programme at risk of being scaled back or delayed as he seeks to make savings.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
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