Edit history for The £8bn overshoot: what the borrowing figures actually mean for the Budget

3 edits since publication

Every change to a story on nuze is recorded here, with the journalist's note on why. Additions are highlighted, removals are struck through.

  1. Version 4

    No note given for this edit.

    Cover image

    Replaced

  2. Version 3

    No note given for this edit.

    Topics

    UKBudget,UK Economy,Budget,PublicEconomy,Westminster,Public Finances,WestminsterFinances

    How we reported this

    This explainer is based on the Office for National Statistics public sector finances bulletin for August 2026, published on 22 September, which is attached below, together with the OBR's March 2026 forecast and its initial estimate of 2025-26 borrowing. Estimates of the Chancellor's remaining headroom are not official and are attributed to the organisations that made them, as reported by the Independent, Reuters and a Budget predictions round-up. The forecast figures in the chart are derived from the gaps stated by the ONS rather than taken from the OBR's monthly profile directly. Interviews: None. No one was interviewed for this piece. Documents reviewed: ONS bulletin, Public sector finances, UK: August 2026 (attached); OBR Economic and fiscal outlook, March 2026 Data and methods: All borrowing, receipts, spending and debt figures are ONS; headroom estimates are third-party and labelled as such Right of reply: The Treasury was not contacted; its position is reported from public statements. Disclosures: Sample story on a demonstration account. The author has no financial interest in any measure discussed. AI: AI tools produced a substantial partassisted ofwith this story — Drafted by an AI assistant from the sources cited and edited by the author; figures were checked against the ONS bulletin.

  3. Version 2

    Journalist's note: Shortened a chart label and put two source markers in numerical order.

    Topics

    Budget,UKUK Economy,Westminster,PublicEconomy,Budget,Public FinancesFinances,Westminster

  4. Original

    As first published.