Rishi Sunak’s Debt Deep‑Dive That’s Gone Off the Mark
In a headline that could have been a meme‑worthy mishap, the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) has publicly called out Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for claiming the national debt is “falling” when the figures show it’s climbing. The watchdog flagged the statements as “undermining trust” in government data.
What the PM Actually Said
- Twitter – “Debt is falling” (June 2024)
- PMQs – “We have indeed reduced debt” (22 Nov 2023, during the Autumn Statement)
- He framed debt reduction as a central pledge ahead of the next general election.
UKSA’s Hard‑Hit Response
Sir Robert Chote, the agency’s chairman, sized up the situation with a touch of stern British humor:
- “National debt is still on the rise.”
- “We’re risking a Shakespeare‑level loss of public trust if you keep stirring the pot.”
- He’s warned ministers to explain how the ordinary citizen should interpret their claims—no specialist knowledge required.
Why the Numbers Don’t Lie
According to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the public sector net debt is projected to hike from 85 % of GDP this year to a staggering 93.2 % by 2026/27, before easing slightly to 92.8 % a couple of years later.
In other words, debt is ballooning, not shrinking—unless you count inflation illusion.
Oppositional Take‑away
Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney didn’t mince words:
“Rishi knows he has no uplifting story to tell on the UK economy, so he’s chosen to spin a yarn. The honest truth? Debt is trending up.”
Government’s Spin
A government spokesperson countered:
“Thanks to our long‑term fiscal policies, we’re heading toward a debt‑falling trajectory. Labour and the Lib Dems want to keep borrowing higher while also boosting taxes, which will only squeeze working families further.”
Bottom Line
Reality check: Debt is rising. The PM claimed it was falling. The statistics authority warned of trust erosion. The opposition ripped it open. The public is left to decide which headline feels more believable. Maybe grab a tea and weigh the evidence—because number crunching can be as slippery as an English breakfast roll on a rainy day.
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