Government borrowing higher than expected in April

The UK government borrowed more than expected in April, according to the latest official figures.

Borrowing, the difference between spending and income from taxes, was £24.3bn last month, £4.9bn higher than at the same point last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The figure was also higher than the £20.9bn that had been predicted by the government's independent forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility.

ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said that while tax receipts had risen in April from a year earlier, this "was more than offset by higher spending on benefits and other costs".