UK records budget deficit of 25.6 billion pounds in April
Debt interest bill for April hits alltime high
Receipts weaker than April 2022
ONS revises down deficit estimate for 202223

LONDON, May 23 Reuters Britain posted a largerthanexpected budget deficit in April as high inflation pushed the government39;s debt interest bill for the month to a new record, official data showed on Tuesday.

Public sector net borrowing, excluding stateowned banks, rose in April to 25.56 billion pounds 32.26 billion almost 12 billion pounds more than in April 2022, the Office for National Statistics said.

A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to public sector net borrowing, excluding stateowned banks, of 19.75 billion pounds.

In April, Britain added 9.8 billion pounds to its debt interest bill the highest total for the month since comparable records started in 1993, reflecting interest payable on inflationlinked government bonds.

Britain39;s rate of consumer price inflation was the highest in Western Europe in March, remaining above 10. Data on Wednesday are expected to a show a drop in April to around 8.2, according to the Reuters poll consensus.

The government spent 3.9 billion pounds on energy support payments in April, up 1.8 billion pounds from a year ago.

On top of higher spending, April39;s budget deficit reflected weaker receipts collected by the government at 69.7 billion pounds, down from 72.4 billion pounds in April 2022.

The ONS revised down its estimate for the…