Debt is only part of the picture. Here is a wider set of indicators, each showing which way it has moved lately.
94.1% of GDP
Net debt measured against the size of the economy. Down 0.8 percentage points on a year earlier, but up from 92.3% in January; the ratio has moved within a 92% to 95% band for over a year.
Source: ONS, Public sector finances, UK: July 2026. 31 July 2026.
4.2% of GDP
Annual public sector net borrowing relative to the economy. The published outturn ratio for the financial year ending March 2026, on borrowing of £129.8bn.
Source: ONS, Public sector finances (series J5IJ, dataset PUSF). 31 March 2026.
3.6% of GDP
The cost of servicing debt, relative to the economy. About £110 billion a year.
Source: OBR, Economic and Fiscal Outlook March 2026. 31 March 2026.
36.3% of GDP
Total taxes as a share of the economy. Forecast to keep rising to the highest level since records began in 1948.
Source: OBR. 31 March 2026.
£1,230 billion per year
Total money the government receives, mostly from taxes.
Source: ONS / OBR. 31 March 2026.
£1,360 billion per year
Total money the government spends on services, benefits, investment, and debt interest.
Source: HM Treasury / OBR. 31 March 2026.
2.9% per year
The rate at which consumer prices are rising over the year. Rose to 2.9% in July, up from 2.6% the month before.
Source: ONS, Consumer price inflation, UK: July 2026. 31 July 2026.
4.9% of workforce
The share of people who want to work and are looking for a job but cannot find one. Up 0.2 percentage points on a year earlier, but down 0.1 on the previous quarter.
Source: ONS, Labour market overview, UK: August 2026. 30 June 2026.
1.1% per year
How fast the economy is growing, after adjusting for inflation. The 2026 forecast, down from 1.4% in 2025.
Source: OBR / ONS, GDP. 31 March 2026.
0.4% growth per year
How much is produced per hour worked, against a year earlier. Weak productivity growth limits how fast tax revenue can rise.
Source: ONS, Productivity. 31 March 2026.
| Indicator | Latest | Trend | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt as a share of GDP | 94.1 % of GDP | stable | provisional |
| Borrowing as a share of GDP | 4.2 % of GDP | rising | official |
| Debt interest | 3.6 % of GDP | rising | official |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2.9 % per year | rising | official |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9 % of workforce | stable | provisional |
| GDP growth | 1.1 % per year | stable | estimated |
| Productivity (output per hour) | 0.4 % growth per year | stable | provisional |
| Tax burden | 36.3 % of GDP | rising | estimated |
| Government revenue | 1,230 £ billion per year | rising | estimated |
| Government spending | 1,360 £ billion per year | rising | estimated |