Hopes were rising last night that Britain could avoid hefty post-Covid tax rises as the reopening economy helps repair our battered finances.
The Government did still borrow £31.7billion last month as the cost of the pandemic rose – making it the second highest April borrowing figure on record and pushing debt to a 60-year high, according to the Office for National Statistics.
But that sum was £15.6billion smaller than the figure borrowed in April last year and is below the £39billion predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility just two months ago.
Analysts said that if borrowing continues to fall, Chancellor Rishi Sunak may not need big tax rises or spending cuts to bring finances back under control
The F1 champion, 36, was seen speeding around the ocean in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France, on Wednesday during an outing with his former teammate, 35, and his family.
Chloe Green carries sleeping son Jayden aboard family s £100M yacht dailymail.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymail.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Little Mix have become the UK s top earning young female positions, after boosting their joined fortune by £6million over the past year, giving them a combined net worth of £54million.
Perrie Edwards, 27, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 29, and Jade Thirlwall, 28, have pressed on as a trio this year, following the December departure of bandmate Jesy Nelson, 29, with whom they have reportedly severed financial ties.
And the Shout Out To My Ex hitmakers now have more cash to share among themselves as they climb their way up The Sunday Times newly-unveiled annual Rich List.
Rich! Little Mix have become the UK s top earning young female positions, after boosting their joined fortune by £6million, giving them a combined net worth of £54million. Pictured (L-R) Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards
A record 171 billionaires in the UK saw their fortunes soar by more than a fifth as they shook off the financial toll of the pandemic, the Sunday Times Rich List reveals.
Ukrainian-born Sir Leonard Blavatnik, 63, has topped the Rich List for the second time with his £23billion fortune following a £7.219billion leap in his wealth.
Overall, the number of UK-based billionaires has jumped by 24 per cent compared to 2020 in a stark contrast with the economic turmoil of a global crisis which saw millions enter furlough.
But this had little impact on the very wealthiest, with the fortunes of billionaires increasing by 21.7 per cent over the year - rising by £106.5billion to £597.2billion.