UK August borrowing overshoots at £18.3bn, pressuring Healey ahead of budget

UK public sector net borrowing hit £18.3bn in August, £2.9bn above the same month last year and above expectations, complicating Chancellor Healey's efforts to reassure bond markets before the upcoming budget. The fiscal overshoot raises the risk of higher gilt issuance or spending restraint, potentially keeping upward pressure on UK yields.