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Public finances indicator

Public sector net debt excluding public sector banks

Net debt is the public sector’s liabilities within the ONS measure less liquid assets. The percentage-of-GDP measure puts the cash total in the context of the size of the economy.

Verified primary source
Current figure94.1%
Previous figure94.6%
Change-0.5 points
Reporting period2026 JUL

Long-term trend

The displayed series runs from 2024 AUG (94.5%) to 2026 JUL (94.1%). This is descriptive and does not attribute causation.

Accessible data table
Public sector net debt excluding public sector banks recent observations
PeriodValue
2024 AUG94.5%
2024 SEP94%
2024 OCT94.4%
2024 NOV95.2%
2024 DEC94.8%
2025 JAN93%
2025 FEB93.4%
2025 MAR93.4%
2025 APR93.7%
2025 MAY94.8%
2025 JUN94.5%
2025 JUL94.9%
2025 AUG95.1%
2025 SEP94.9%
2025 OCT94%
2025 NOV94.7%
2025 DEC94.3%
2026 JAN92.3%
2026 FEB92.5%
2026 MAR93.4%
2026 APR93.7%
2026 MAY94.4%
2026 JUN94.6%
2026 JUL94.1%

Insight

FactWhat the data show. Public sector net debt excluding public sector banks was 94.1% in 2026 JUL.

CalculationWhat has changed. The change from 2026 JUN is -0.5 percentage points.

ComparisonHow it compares. Comparison awaiting period-aligned review. The year-earlier value was 94.9%.

InterpretationWhy it may matter. The level and path of debt affect resilience to shocks, future financing needs and exposure to interest rates and inflation-linked debt costs.

LimitationImportant limitations. The ratio uses GDP forecasts for the latest period and can be revised. Do not directly compare ONS public-sector net debt excluding public-sector banks with IMF general-government gross debt. Sector coverage, gross/net treatment and asset netting differ. The latest ONS debt-to-GDP ratio uses GDP forecasts and is provisional.

Policy optionsPossible evidence-based responses. No option is published until supporting and questioning evidence, distributional effects, cost, risks, confidence and success measures complete editorial review. Options are not instructions or endorsements.

MeasurementHow progress could be measured. Continue the same monthly series, record revisions and compare like-for-like reporting periods.