Editorial intro
Cost of Living explained
UK debt, borrowing, inflation and public spending - translated into clear numbers, simple charts and source-led explainers.
UK 10-year gilt
4.8%
Bank of England | Apr 2026
Total UK Debt
£2.9T
Your monthly debt payment
£208
Debt Interest / Year
£97.6B
Debt to GDP ratio
93.8%
Your Government Debt
£74,445
Annual borrowing
£132B
Government income vs spending
The UK's budget is shaped by where money comes from, where it goes, and the gap that has to be borrowed.
UK receipts, forecast 2025-26
Where government money comes from
- Corporation Tax
- VAT
- National Insurance
- Income Tax
- Other
UK spending, forecast 2025-26
Where government money goes
- Defence
- Education
- Debt interest
- Infrastructure
- Health
- Welfare & pensions
- Other services
Budget deficit
£138bn
Spending exceeds income. This gap is public sector net borrowing and adds to debt; refinancing maturing debt happens separately through gilt issuance.
Residual receipts, forecast 2025-26
What's inside "Other" income
- Other receipts
- Council tax / business rates
- Excise duties
- Capital taxes
- Fuel duty
- Property taxes
Residual services, forecast 2025-26
What's inside "Other" spending
- Local government
- Other
- Public order & safety
- Administration
- Culture / communities
- Environment
- Overseas aid
Annual UK borrowing with government periods
Borrowing over time
UK debt burden over time
Debt vs GDP
Annual cost of servicing government debt