Government borrowing hit the highest level for a December since records began in 1993.
Government borrowing hit a new high in December, driven by the cost of supporting households with their energy bills and high debt interest costs.
Borrowing, the difference between spending and tax income, was £27.4bn, a rise of £16.7bn on December 2021.
Interest on government debt hit £17.3bn, the highest December figure since monthly records began.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said inflation was main factor behind the rise in borrowing.
While gas prices have begun to come down, the typical energy bill is almost twice what it was before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
To help ease the burden, the government cut all energy bills in England, Scotland and Wales £400 this winter.
It also launched the Energy Price Guarantee, which limits average bills to £2,500 per year.