The UK government’s borrowing rose to £20.7 billion in June, exceeding expectations and increasing pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

• Borrowing increased by £6.6 billion from last year, marking the second-highest June figure since records began in 1993.
• The Office for National Statistics reported that high spending on public services and debt interest payments outpaced tax revenue.
• Analysts suggest Reeves may need to raise taxes by £15-25 billion in the upcoming Autumn Budget to meet fiscal targets.