UK budget deficit hits $271 billion in H1FY21 amid calls for more aid

The UK budget deficit climbed to an unprecedented 208.5 billion pounds ($271 billion) in the first six months of the months of the fiscal year, highlighting the cost of supporting the economy through the coronavirus pandemic as calls mount for fresh aid.

Borrowing in September alone was 36.1 billion pounds, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday. The median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg was 33.6 billion pounds.

The readings will fuel the debate about how much economic aid the government can provide amid a resurgence in the virus and fresh wave of restrictions. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has