The Adam Smith Institute Responds To The Latest ONS Borrowing Figures

Commenting on the ONS Public Sector Finance September 2025 figures, Mitchell Palmer, economist at the Adam Smith Institute, said:

“The latest borrowing figures are alarming. The government borrowed £20 billion in a single month, with net debt now over 95 percent of GDP. This isn’t crisis spending, it’s a structural problem. Britain is now borrowing just to cover its everyday costs. 

The UK now spends an eye-watering 8.3% of its entire budget on servicing the debt. If we don’t tackle this runaway spending, we risk saddling future generations with higher taxes, higher interest payments and a stagnant economy. 

The Chancellor must show real fiscal discipline in the upcoming budget. That means tackling waste, restraining spending, and setting out a credible plan to get debt falling. She can’t just rely on higher taxes or wishful thinking.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

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