The UK’s public finances unexpectedly worsened last month, piling further pressure on Chancellor Philip Hammond who is facing a potential growth downgrade in the Autumn Budget.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing, stripping out state-owned banks, jumped by £500 million to £8 billion in October.

The move was above economists’ predictions of £7.5 billion, as interest payments hit a record high of £6 billion for the month due to higher inflation since the Brexit vote.

Expand Close UK public sector net borrowing in October 2007-17 Press Association Images / Facebook

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Despite October’s rise, the deficit excluding state-backed banks for the current financial year – April to October – hit the lowest level for a decade, dropping £4.1 billion to £38.5 billion.

The update comes as Mr Hammond braces for the prospect of a gloomy fiscal outlook in Wednesday’s Budget, with forecasts expected to show lower economic growth and higher borrowing.

Samuel Tombs, Pantheon Macroeconomics chief UK economist, said: “Public borrowing rose year-over-year in October, despite ongoing austerity measures, primarily because interest payments leapt by £1.2 billion.

Borrowing Â£0.5B higher in October than a year ago mainly due to a Â£1.2B jump in interest payments (blame high inflation). But borrowing is still on track to substantially undershoot March Budget forecasts: pic.twitter.com/kFh5oXEJ0J — Samuel Tombs (@samueltombs) November 21, 2017

“Interest payments on index-linked gilts jumped, due to the rise in inflation. Public sector investment also rose £0.5 billion year-over-year, following weakness earlier this year.”

Mr Hammond would have been hoping for a boost going into the Budget following the dismal analysis dished by out Britain’s fiscal watchdog, which has already warned that it will cut its productivity predictions for the next five years.

Such a move would weaken the outlook for the public finances and hamper the UK economy at a time when the Government will be banking on robust economic growth as Britain hurtles towards Brexit.

Â£38.5 bn public sector net borrowing excluding public sector banks Apr-Oct 2017, lowest year-to-date since 2007 https://t.co/yqy2GBRrrZ — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) November 21, 2017

However, the Chancellor still remains on track to undershoot the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) current forecast of £58.3 billion for the financial year ending in March 2018.

Tax receipts have been bright since the start of the financial year, rising by £16.4 billion to £394.3 billion between April and October 2017.

However, Government spending has also grown by £11.5 billion to £400.6 billion, up from £389.1 billion over the same period in 2016.

Howard Archer, EY ITEM Club’s chief economic adviser, said the Budget will not be easy for the Chancellor as he is “squeezed on both sides”.

#Hammond denied a boost going into Wednesday's #budget as #public #finances see y/y deterioration in Oct. PSNBex up to Â£8.0 bn from Â£7.5 bn in Oct 2016 — Howard Archer (@HowardArcherUK) November 21, 2017

He said: “Mr Hammond is under pressure to increase levels of Government spending amid public dissatisfaction with austerity and squeezed public sector pay, but he now faces larger deficits over the medium-term due to the OBR downgrading its productivity growth forecasts for the UK and he has to square the circle.

“The Chancellor has indicated that he plans to stick to his fiscal targets.

“Given the major uncertainties facing the economy centred on Brexit, Mr Hammond is reportedly concerned that investor confidence in the UK could be seriously damaged if he abandons the fiscal framework adopted only a year ago.”

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The ONS said public sector net debt, excluding state-owned banks, increased by £147.8 billion to £1,790.4 billion in October, equivalent to 87.2% of gross domestic product (GDP).

Sterling showed little reaction to the announcement, up marginally against the US dollar at 1.323 and rising 0.1% versus the euro at 1.128.

Labour’s Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said: “These figures are a reminder of the continued failure of both Philip Hammond and Theresa May over these past seven years.

“The deficit has still not been eliminated as they promised it would be by 2015, and the national debt continues to grow.

“The rise in the Government’s deficit over October shows once again that seven years of Tory spending cuts have caused pain and misery for millions with little to show for it.”

PA