UK Government borrowing was at its lowest level for a decade in 2017, partly as a result of a one-off tax windfall from changes to self-assessment income tax, according to official data.

The improved state of the public finances will come as welcome news to the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, following a November Budget that was overshadowed by GDP forecasts showing weaker than hoped-for growth, due to poor productivity levels.

Public borrowing was £48.1bn in the financial year so far, the lowest year-to-date amount since 2007.

It has fallen by £3.1bn from April to November compared to the same period in 2016, data from the Office for National Statistics revealed. On a monthly basis, the Government borrowed £0.2bn less in November 2017 compared to the same month last year.