British public finances showed a further deterioration in December, figures published today showed.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics posted a deficit in December of £9.4 billion sterling, compared with £6 billion the month before.
The figures, a measure of the money flowing in and out of the British government's accounts, are slightly better than economists' consensus forecasts of a deficit of £10 billion.
HSBC economist Mr John Butler said: "It is the biggest deficit in six years [in December] but that's good news at a time when the economy is slowing. We want the government to spend more to support the economy".
He said the reason was falling tax receipts, reflecting corporate profits being squeezed, while government spending rose compared with last year, and was up almost 11 per cent.
December usually shows a large deficit, economists said, as it is a key month when the government pays interest on debt.
Mr Ross Walker, economist at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: "There is some further evidence this month there has been an underlying deterioration in the public finances."
He said: "For where we are in the year, we have got the biggest deficit for several years".