Government borrowing in September rose to the third highest figure for that month since records began in January 1993.

Official figures show that borrowing – the difference between spending and tax revenue – reached £16.6bn last month.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the figure was £2.1 billion more than September last year.

This is the last official set of public finance figures until the Budget next week, with the Treasury expected to change its own self-imposed debt rules.