Public spending experienced a surprise hike last month due to increases in pensions and welfare but was partly offset by lower local government borrowing.

Borrowing in August was £6.8bn - £2.4bn more than in August 2017 - the largest August borrowing for two years though the total for the financial year to date of £17.8bn is still lower than in 2017 and the lowest for a similar period since 2002.