Britain's borrowing hits record £11.4 billion

The Times
"The threadbare public finances were thrown back into the spotlight today as it was revealed the Government was forced to borrow £11.4 billion in October to meet its bills - the worst figure for the month since records began in 1946.Tax receipts collapsed by £4.1 billion compared with October 2008 while spending was £4.5 billion greater as the recession took its toll on corporate profits and consumer spending while welfare payments surged.Total public sector net debt grew to £829.7 billion, equivalent to 59.2 per cent of total national output, by the end of October. That compares to £695.1 billion and 48.6 per cent a year earlier."