# Understanding the national debt — sources and method

Supplied by the site owner on 2 November 2026. Every figure on screen was checked against its primary source on 3 November 2026 (`data/public-finances/debt-film-2026-11.json`). Builder checks, not independent analytical assurance.

## Net debt: £3,005bn, 94.0% of GDP

ONS, Public sector finances, UK: September 2026 (released 21 October 2026). Series HF6W (£3,005.0bn) and HF6X (94.0% of GDP), public sector net debt excluding public sector banks, end of September 2026. Provisional and liable to revision.

## Net debt since 2008: 35.5%, 95.5%, 93.3% of GDP

OBR Public finances databank, September 2026: public sector net debt at the end of March 2008, 2021 and 2026 (financial years 2007–08, 2020–21 and 2025–26). This is a different vintage from the ONS monthly figure above, not a contradiction: ONS's October release gives 35.6%, 95.2% and 93.2% for the same dates.

## Debt interest forecast: £123.9bn rising to £160bn

OBR, Economic and fiscal outlook – October 2026, Table 5.8 and paragraph 5.29: central government debt interest, net of the Bank of England's asset purchase facility, £123.9bn in 2026–27 and £160.0bn in 2031–32 (cash). A forecast, not an outturn. The March 2026 forecast for 2026–27 was £109.4bn. The intermediate bars are shown for shape only.

## English council funding: −35% and −15%

IFS, How have English councils' funding and spending changed? 2010 to 2024 (R318, June 2024): core funding per person fell by about 35% in the most deprived tenth of councils and 15% in the least deprived tenth, in real terms, 2010–11 to 2019–20. England only. Funding per person then rose between 2019–20 and 2024–25.

## Other statements

Who lends to the government (pension funds, banks, savers, overseas investors) and that gilts mature at different times are general descriptions; the repayment chart is illustrative, not a maturity forecast. Narration voice: Scottish accent, as supplied; the narrator is not credited in the file.