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Britain's public debt since 1974

This article is more than 15 years old


Debt as % of GDP, thanks to Timetric

We've run out of money, the country that is.

Britain's public finances plunged £8bn into the red last month - far worse than the £500m analysts had predicted and the first time government finances have recorded a shortfall in July since 1996.

The government's net debt was £800.8bn - 56.8% of GDP. Alistair Darling predicted in the budget that borrowing would rise to £175bn this year

When you take into account that UK GDP is presently around £1.3tn, the national debt could run to a total of £2.2tn, or over 150% of GDP.

DATA: Britain's public debt since 1974
Tax receipts since 1963


Debt as cash, thanks to Timetric

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  • Tax receipts since 1963

  • UK inflation since 1948

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